Career break working in Europe

By DavidA

I never meant to take a gap year as such. I always thought gap years were for people who didn't know what they wanted from their career. Working abroad was something I was interested in though. I took three months out of my career as a solicitor in London to take a career break in Padova, Italy on the Leonardo Da Vinci scheme. This scheme isn't just for people on gap years or career breaks. Pretty much anyone can apply as long as they meet the criteria. This scheme helps people to get work experience in various European destinations. It is ideal for people who want to take a career break, as you get work experience abroad.  I wanted to get some work experience working in overseas property, as eventually I want to work in Italy or France in property law. Not the typical gap year job! I got a work experience placement at a firm near Padova, and after a two week top-up language course in Italian, I started work. The Leonardo scheme is funded by the European Union, so as well as getting some NVQ level accreditation, I got accommodation paid for, and the career break placement arranged for me. It is a great way of taking a structured career break in Europe. This was a really worthwhile European career break and great working abroad experience. The placement was challenging in many ways, but I learnt a lot. I also felt that taking a break in my career at this stage actually made me appreciate my job back in the UK and plan my career more thoroughly. Overall, a really useful work experience placement, a million miles from a typical gap year job.

Gapwork gap year jobs top tip:

Taking a gap year or career break needn't be all about backpacking, fruitpicking and jumping aboard the backpacker bandwagon en-route to all the usual places. Taking a career break should involve some pre-planning and organisation, as working abroad or even volunteering in the UK require organising and proper budgeting. Your career break could be the most important time of your life, so make sure you plan it in the context of where you want to go with your career, and make the most of this unique gap year opportunity. For more about career breaks check out our career break FAQ's.

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