May 26, 2025 
9 mins to read Are you also wondering if solo travel or group travel is the best solution for you in your gap year abroad? An increasing amount of people from Europe decide to take the time off from their regular life routine before going to university, starting a new chapter, or when they just feel like they need some change. And we can’t think of a better way to spend the gap year than by traveling and working abroad.
At Job Squad we offer hundreds of work abroad opportunities in various fields and professions that are a great fit for that gap year lifestyle. Making a transition from a regular 9 to 5 and a dull routine of your hometown and environment to a fully dynamic, sometimes wild, adventure somewhere far away might seem scary at first, but there are a lot of ways in which you can make this an easier process for yourself.
Just jump to our job search tool, see what type of work would be the best fit for you, and let our team take care of things: we’ll help you make your CV, secure and prepare for the online job interview and get all your affairs in order so that you are able to start that gap year adventure as soon as possible.
Are you still unsure whether travelling for a job abroad is for you? Read up about some dilemmas that others like you often struggle with or get inspired by “7 best reasons to take a gap year job abroad”
But now comes the very important question: “Who will I go there with?”
A lot of us are often scared to do things on our own, and a big change like that is surely no easy journey, so it’s only natural that you might start wondering about whether this process would be easier if you brought someone on that path with you.
In this article, we will go over all the top aspects of taking a gap year and how they will be affected by travelling and working by yourself or with a group, so that you can think through your choice and decide on a gap year abroad that will best suit your vision and needs.
Perks of travelling solo on your gap year abroad
- Full independence
Being a solo traveller means you have to worry about one person and one person only: you! Want to run away for a month to a different location? Stay home on the couch for a few days doing nothing? Or maybe change your plans completely and start a different job? All of this is possible and there will be no one that will rely on your choices. That gives you an absolute freedom for your gap year – and if you’re known for your spontaneity and indecisiveness, then going solo will surely make it easier.
Friend groups often run into conflict when it comes to schedule and plans, especially when you start sharing responsibilities like housing or finances.
- Cultural exploration
As challenging as being on your own can be at times, it also pushes you to go out and meet new, different people. If you find yourself in a different country of which you don’t know much about, or maybe don’t even speak the language of, being there on your own will mean that whether you’d like to or not, you will have to adapt quickly. But that also means you are sure to become a local in no time! Meeting people at the destination will allow you to learn about the country from a first hand perspective and will give you a chance to practice the language skills naturally.
When you are traveling with a group of close friends, chances are that you will try to spend as much time together as possible, and if it’s a close group, you guys might miss out on the opportunity to open up to the others – big groups are also more intimidating and less approachable than solo travellers. So, if you’re here to learn and grow – you might do much better doing it all by yourself. Here are some jobs and activities that are a sure way to get you immersed into the local life of any place you choose for your gap year abroad destination.
- Personal growth
And if we are speaking about self improvement, taking your gap year by yourself allows you much, much more room to discover who you are, improve your social skills and grow on your own. Being with the group often requires you to put some effort into keeping up with others, watching out for their needs, and dedicating your precious time to them. While alone, you’ll have all the space to either learn a new language, dedicate yourself to the career that you have chosen, or even practice talking to new people! It honestly all depends on your priorities – a lot of people that make the decision to take their gap year abroad do it exactly to gain these essential life skills – and while some of them might come to you through a little bit of struggle and stepping out of the comfort zone, you are guaranteed to become someone quite unrecognisable after all that time spent working on yourself.
“It is the best way to start fresh, with yourself, test yourself, and experience yourself. The people you meet who have done the same as you are sweet and welcoming, so no excuse!”
- Forget about expectations
When traveling abroad during your gap year with others, there is a high chance that the people you go with have been on a similar life path that you have been on, but they are still not you. Although unlikely, (because we hope your friends are understanding) there is a chance that some people might pass judgement over your choices and struggles. Within a group dynamic, some people tend to start comparing themselves to others or expecting everyone to agree with them on what the next step of their journey will be.
There might be a point during that time that you and your team members will have to disagree or enter a conflict situation, where your plans or ambitions no longer match. Navigating these situations takes a lot of time, stress and unnecessary trouble, which you can totally skip if you go on your own, and there is no one to judge or belittle your own experience.
“Never been happier about the choices I have made in my life. My biggest advice is just to do it, you’re young and wanna experience the world, jump in the boat and travel, experience the culture, and how much you grow as a person in just a few months.”
Perks of starting your gap year abroad with a group
- A big safety net
There is no denying that making such a big leap in your life is hard and scary – but with someone to share the troubles with on your side, all these worries might be halved. Struggling to find a place to stay? Having to switch jobs? Missed your flight? You do not need to worry about resolutions yourself, and a second opinion combined with magic of team brainstorming will surely be less stressful and will help you find an easier solution.
When it comes to practicalities, you know that the group has your back and even when the situation gets tough, there is someone directly there with you to help. Being on your own means you have to be the master of your own destiny, but if you are not up to the challenge, there will always be someone there to have your back.
- Less social pressure
Meeting new people is very exciting and surely helps you grow, but it also is not for everyone. Some people are naturally a bit more introverted, or struggle to instantly connect with a stranger. But we all still need someone to talk to.
While taking your gap year abroad in a group, you can be sure to always have companionship without going out of your way to meet people that might not be as approachable as you imagined. Especially if you are traveling to places where culture and lifestyle are different to what you are used to, acclimation might be a smoother process if you have some piece of home and familiarity around you.
- Cost savings
If your gap year is planned with a lot of traveling and expenses in mind, but your budget is small and lacking, travelling with a group can be an incredible help. Museums, experiences, travel tickets and accommodations often offer group discounts or are cheaper when shared. You and your friends are then sure to make the most out of every city and place you travel to. And – all fun is always better shared.
- Teamwork makes the dream work
As much as you can learn about yourself when you’re on your own, there is also a big lesson that you can gain from traveling with a group. For a time being of the gap year you become a little family, or rather a team that has its own dynamics. Within those dynamics, you can find what are your strongest teamwork assets. Some are natural leaders, while others find more joy and fulfillment in planning, budgeting, or even becoming emotional support friends. These skills are not only useful for life, but for your future career – maybe your incredible scheduling or conflict resolution abilities will be the exact soft skill your new position calls for.
For example, in the Customer service roles that Job Squad often helps finding, one of the top qualities of a successful worker is the “people” skills like patience and empathy. Often you will have to deal with people that are displeased or unhappy with their experience, and it will be your task to console and guide them to resolution.
Ready for your new adventure with solo travel or group travel?
We hope this guide has prepared you fully for the exciting adventure of a gap year in Europe! If you’ve managed to make this hard decision and are ready to start your gap year on your own, or with the whole squad, contact our recruiters or check out our job opportunities today.
