POLOKWANE – For 12 years you helped to prepare your child for life after school. You have dreams of him going to study to become a doctor or to come and work with you in your business. Then one day he/she comes home and says: “Mom, I want to take a gap year.”
The concept of a gap year first made its way into South African minds around 25 years ago with school leavers going to work overseas before taking on a study course. Most of these children were not sure what they wanted to do after school and a gap year was the best solution.
Review spoke to Rudi Viljoen, founder of the Warriors Academy which specialises in gap year programmes, about why a gap year is important.
“About 17 years ago, I had the idea of offering a gap year programme. I always loved to coach and always wanted to work with young children. A gap year can mean a lot of things to different people. For some it can be a time to recharge and for others a journey of self-discovery. For some it can even be an opportunity to find out what they want to do with their life and for most, it is the adventure of a lifetime.”
Viljoen explains that a gap year is a time-out from studies or a career. Their aim market is school leavers however, students who need a break away between studies or someone who just completed their studies and need a break, are also welcome.
“A gap year is an investment in a person’s future. A well-structured gap year programme is an opportunity for a person to learn more about themselves, to gain confidence, step out of their comfort zone and ultimately help them find their path, both personally and professionally. From our experience at the Warriors Academy, the real benefit of a structured gap year is the development of a persons emotional maturity and their ability to adapt and deal with challenges. Our primary focus is to help young people develop their mental and emotional strength to cope with their studies, future career and life in general. We aim to help them take responsibility for their thoughts and actions in the hope of helping them to achieve their dreams.”
Viljoen explains that modern day companies look for people who are emotionally fit and those people who are emotionally fit achieve success in their studies.
“We teach them to finish what they start and not to just give up when it is difficult. By learning this, they gain self-confidence and their self-esteem gets boosted. We also offer career guidance.”
He advised parents to do research before just enrolling in any gap year programme. “Look for a programme that is structured with a balance of activities, travel and personal coaching. It is essential to look for an accredited programme. This will give you peace of mind, knowing your child is on a programme which has been assessed, approved and is being governed by a set of standards.”
The Warriors programme specifically focuses on experiential learning through adventure activities as well as personal mentoring and coaching. The activities range from animal encounters, kloofing, mountain biking, water rafting, bungee jumping, courses on self-care, entrepreneurship and how to build your personal brand among others. The Warriors team is made up of several specialists in their field who are passionate about helping students find their way. Their knowledge and experience help to guide students and enables personal development.
During the gap year at Warriors, students are taken out of their comfort zone and challenged to be the best that they can be.
A gap year at Warriors is divided into four action-packed seasonal quests. Each quest is made up of several structured adventure activities. and includes everything from fire-walking, horse riding to a scuba course in Mozambique at Ponta do Oura.
“Each individual will be personally coached and develop,” he concluded.
