Advice for a gap year

#1

Post by flojito » Sun, Aug 29, 2010, 9:15 PM UTC

Hi everyone, I'm just preparing to have a gap year (beginning in 2 months) and I'm collecting ideas (like studying Russian/Japanese, martial arts...)

As I spent 10 hours per day developing software, I hope not to get "learn putHereYourFavouriteLanguage" or "get certificate in x/y/z" ;)

Thanks in advance.

Re: Advice for a gap year

#2

Post by Q6T46nT668w6i3m » Sun, Aug 29, 2010, 10:38 PM UTC

You’re lucky.

During my academic hiatus, I found that fostering a personal liberal arts education was incredibly helpful. Reading literature, playing sport, and learning some elementary computer science have been incredibly (and unexpectedly) helpful in my academic areas (mathematics and economics). Therefore, I’d suspect your interest in language and sport might also be incredibly worthwhile (and conceivably) beneficial activities to pursue during your hiatus.

Re: Advice for a gap year

#3

Post by coryl » Sun, Aug 29, 2010, 11:35 PM UTC

Some martial arts ideas: Learn jiu jitsu (gi or nogi) and compete as a beginner. You'll get addicted to learning it and you'll want to fit in 1-2 hrs of training per day

Re: Advice for a gap year

#4

Post by charlesdm » Sun, Aug 29, 2010, 11:45 PM UTC

You should travel, if you can afford it.

Re: Advice for a gap year

#5

Post by TheSmoke » Sun, Aug 29, 2010, 11:56 PM UTC

me and my brother have decided to learn wing chun. seems very interesting.

Re: Advice for a gap year

#6

Post by sandipagr » Mon, Aug 30, 2010, 1:54 AM UTC

coryl wrote: post #3

Some martial arts ideas: Learn jiu jitsu (gi or nogi) and compete as a beginner. You'll get addicted to learning it and you'll want to fit in 1-2 hrs of training per day

My friend is learning jujitsu and totally loves it. I haven't yet got around actually doing it myself but should be fun.

Re: Advice for a gap year

#7

Post by sabalaba » Mon, Aug 30, 2010, 2:12 AM UTC

I'm about to take a semester off to work on a start up company in China. I would recommend doing something with your time that will combine multiple interests. I think doing something abroad would give you 'international' experience, allow you to travel and give you opportunity to learn a new language. As for martial arts, I'm biased, have been studying Ninjitsu (Budo Bujinkan Taijitsu) for the past 5 years. Ninjas rule.

Re: Advice for a gap year

#8

Post by craftsman » Mon, Aug 30, 2010, 3:42 AM UTC

Some things I would like to do, in no particular order:

* Backpack Europe and ride Eurorail

* Build an amateur radio transceiver

* Read the Iliad and Odyssey

* Learn ballroom dancing

* Learn how to make paper

* Learn to cook (!)

* Camp in every national park

* Buy a used motorcycle and learn how to fix it up

* Learn to play the banjo

* Build a 12" Dobsonian telescope and attend star-parties

* ...

Re: Advice for a gap year

#9

Post by carbocation » Mon, Aug 30, 2010, 4:22 AM UTC

craftsman wrote: post #8

Some things I would like to do, in no particular order: * Backpack Europe and ride Eurorail * Build an amateur radio transceiver * Read the Iliad and Odyssey * Learn ballroom dancing * Learn how to make paper * Learn to cook (!) * Camp in every national park * Buy a used motorcycle and learn how to fix it up * Learn to play the banjo * Build a 12" Dobsonian telescope and attend star-parties * ...

May I recommend the Fagles Iliad and the Fitzgerald Odyssey?

Re: Advice for a gap year

#10

Post by dzlobin » Mon, Aug 30, 2010, 5:08 AM UTC

craftsman wrote: post #8

Some things I would like to do, in no particular order: * Backpack Europe and ride Eurorail * Build an amateur radio transceiver * Read the Iliad and Odyssey * Learn ballroom dancing * Learn how to make paper * Learn to cook (!) * Camp in every national park * Buy a used motorcycle and learn how to fix it up * Learn to play the banjo * Build a 12" Dobsonian telescope and attend star-parties * ...

re: eurorail.

It's scenic but something like ryanair.com is cheaper and obviously faster!