#TTOT Roundup: Gap Year Travel

Every Tuesday it's Travel Talk on Twitter! Follow the #TTOT hashtag to see what all the commotion and Tweets are about! There are two sessions to join, one at 9:30am GMT and the other at 9:30pm GMT.

Here's the round-up of this week's #TTOT: 

Q1 via marksmayo: Why do a gap *year* - why not longer or shorter?

• TravelWithAMate: I think it's important to have a "year". It gives you a target, a deadline and a way to budget for your travels
  
• TravMonkey: I say ignore the "year" and travel for what ever time you feel comfortable with and can afford! 
  
• SeeKerala: A year of holidays will make you gain lot of experiences
  
• AnthonyOFlynn: I think a lot of people say gap year vaguely, as a phrase that merely means prolonged travels.
• RickGriffin: I think a "Gap Year" should be the one year that you break from your travels to work
• swanny_adel: 6mths = confidence. 1 year = experience. 2yrs = residence

Q2 via Oysterworldwide: What experience did you have on a gap year that you would never have anywhere else?

• christinahegele: I tried wwoofing (working on organic farms) in New Zealand - you learn new skills, about local culture and the land  
• onURwaytravel: A European whirlwind romance!!! Don't think that will happen again!!! The Eiffel tower sure does blossom romance!!!
• findmeetgo: Studied abroad in High school & learned that the American way is not always the best 
• Liligo_UK: Learned that it's not so easy to throw out old routines and habits but once you do... it's completely liberating!
• katyabroad: A feeling of delicious freedom, I was living somewhere but didn't belong there, somewhere between a holiday and 'real life'

Q3 via RainTravels: What are the elements of a successful gap year?

• chrisinseoulsk: You MUST be flexible to appreciate a gap year! Expect the unexpected, be willing to explore, and choose the road less traveled
• foodieintl: Lots of great food, new and different tastes and bucketloads of whatever the local rotgut/brew is
• travelsoon_com: An open mind, enough money & the willingness to try everything once 
  
• HITorontoHostel: Say yes, more than you say no. You never know what adventure awaits
• Xplore724: Understanding that we are all interconnected on this earth
• MalloryOnTravel: Losing yourself everyday but finding your true self by the time you return 
  

Q4 via MalloryOnTravel: Quick visit to as many countries as possible or really immerse in a few countries?

• Travel4Press: Definitely immerse yourself in a few countries... otherwise you might as well just look up places on google!
• defunct1: Take it slow in some countries, it's not the quantity, it's the quality. Pick up a language,learn to cook a few local dishes
• chippy2u: I'm all about immersion! Choose 1 destination, dive in, learn the language, enjoy the culture, develop life lasting friendships
• roniweiss: Everyone is different, but I travel quickly. If you need to get immersed in one place, I won't judge you
• AtHomeAway: Frenzied country hopping means you probably won't be back, and I always assume I'll be back (in a non-Schwarzenegger sort of way)

Q5 via Oysterworldwide: When is best time to take gap year? Post college, uni or as career break?

• chrisinseoulsk: Best time is now; next best time is soon. The worst time is 'someday', because I never saw a 'someday' on my calendar
• LukeyD_W: There's no right or wrong time. take your gap year when it feels right to you. I took mine as a career break
  
• traveldudes: I saw a 75 year old lady on a gap year on her own in Down Under and not speaking English
• hyperren: There's no "better time" to do it. The important thing is to do it! 
• hjortur: Take the Gap year whenever you feel like it - and kids are no excuse. Take them with you!

And there you have it, "Gap Year Travel"!

Next week's #TTOT topic is: "Train Travel" submitted by EurostarUK. Submit your questions HERE! And don't forget to tune follow the #TTOT every Tuesday at 9:30am and 9:30pm GMT!

As always, a HUGE travel community thank you to our #TTOT hosts and organizers: traveldudes, roniweiss, toddwassel, traveldesigned, insidetravellab, WildJunket, tbloggersunite and mobilelawyer!

Have YOU got anything to add to the Gap Year Travel discussion? 

© Connie Hum 2011