Gap Year Opportunities

Year 12 girls learned about some exciting 'Gap Year' opportunities in a presentation from one of the UK's leading companies working in this field.

Opportunities for conservation work in Kenya and also gaining ski qualifications in Canada were set out in the session which emphasised how 'life experience' visits can offer both a break from education and the chance to gain new skills.

"A lot of people worry that if they take a gap year then they might never get back into education again," said Florence Midwood, managing director of Culsans Travel.

"In fact over 90% of students do continue their education and they often feel that the time away has increased their appetite for their courses of study."

Charlotte Dawson spoke about the people skills gained from learning to be a ski instructor with her organisation Ski Le Gap while Florence underlined how such visits could actively help the communities and wildlife areas of Kenya that the gap year groups spend time in.

The online event was part of this term's programme of Queen's activities to support girls in Year 12 who are thinking about their next steps on to university and the world of work.