Taking a year off after school may not put your child in the ‘pound seats’, but it could provide valuable life lessons.
It seems like just yesterday your little darlings were in diapers. Now they’re finishing high school and talking about spending the next year overseas in order to “discover” themselves.
Being the sensible parent that you are, the thought of sending your baby on an experimental ‘journey of self-discovery’ doesn't seem appealing. All you want for your child is to spend the next four years working hard to become an accountant—yet they will have none of that!
Children might quote the need to ‘discover themselves’ as a reason to take a gap year, but most parents (realistically) feel that their children can discover themselves quite well in the comfort of their own home.
However, if you want to be considered a cool, hip parent, take a look at the opportunities related to a gap year, which will hopefully ease your mind.
Firstly, self-discovery is one thing, but bear in mind that when your child is overseas, they’re going to be working in menial jobs for minimum wage. Every person I've spoken to who has been on a gap year has had an epiphany as a minimum-wage worker.
They therefore soon realise that education is critical, so when gap year students do get to university, they work harder and get better results. Couple this realisation with the experience gained from a gap year, and you've got a winning concept.
Secondly, prepare yourself for the possibility that your 18-year-old daughter might think that working in a bar will earn her lots of money. While top bartenders working in exclusive clubs do make a decent living, a teenager plying pints at the local pub probably won’t.
However, if the thought of Daddy's little angel being hit on by a bunch of drunks doesn't sit well with you, there are other, safer, and more physically active options. These can include spending six months at a ski resort in the US or Europe as an instructor.
If your child is interested in looking after younger children, then a job as an au pair or working at a summer camp are really good options.
The Scout Association UK has an excellent gap year programme based at their headquarters in Gilwell—this is particularly suited to youngsters with a Scouting background. Information can be obtained directly (www.scouts.org.uk) or via Scouts South Africa (www.scouts.org.za).
If your child is intent on changing the world, then working at a charity might suit them. It's a great way to make some money and still help out those less fortunate. Just because the charity is non-profit does not mean they will not get paid for their work.
Thirdly, regardless of where your children decide to end up, it's often easier to book one of the above-mentioned trips through an agency in South Africa. The last thing you want is for your child to be stranded in a foreign country when they were promised a job from a fly-by-night scam artist.
I would recommend organisations such as the SA Students’ Travel Services (www.sasts.org.za), the Overseas Visitors’ Club (www.ovc.co.za), and Youth Discovery Programmes (www.ydp.co.za). Not only do they have excellent track records, but they also have stores in shopping centres that allow you to take a potential grievance to them personally.
Finally, it is important to remember that gap years don't only exist overseas—there is also plenty to do in South Africa and Africa in general.
If by now you are warming to the idea of a gap year, remember always to keep your wits about you when planning. If you do, your children will return with self-confidence and a maturity that only a year of hard work can provide.
Written by Saul Kropman
Saul Kropman is a marketer and entrepreneur.
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