Surely there are many questions that come to mind when you finish high school: What now? What do I want to study? I’m not sure, what am I going to do this year? It’s normal that you’re going through this stage of indecision, and it’s one of the most important stages of your life. But it’s not all questions, you probably also have certain statements clear: “I have to learn English right away”, “I should go study abroad“, “I’m sure that I need to get out of my comfort zone for a while”. Because of the way our society and environment works, we feel pressure to make these decisions quickly, almost without thinking things through and without feeling a clear calling for any career. In addition, not everyone matures at the same time and does not need the same experiences. That moment of reflection, Gap Year, has traditionally been translated in Spain as a sabbatical year abroad. And of course, because of the way we say it every time we propose this program, there are those who think: If I go on Gap Year, would it be a year doing nothing and traveling abroad? Does that mean I miss a year without going to university and falling behind my friends? Looking at it like that, it might seem like a wasted year… But nothing could be further from the truth, our experience as an international mobility agency is quite different. What is Gap Year? The concept of Gap Year comes from Anglo-Saxon culture and refers to a period of reflection and emotional learning that generally lasts one academic year after finishing high school and before going to university. It is a fundamental moment in which some of the most important decisions are made: what I want to study and what I want to do professionally. The truth is that a gap year is not a sabbatical year, it is a year to gain time. Time to get to know ourselves better, to see the world and other cultures, time to mature and make a very important decision, which is becoming more and more difficult due to the social pressure of having to finish high school and immediately start a career when you are not sure about things. Without a doubt, this is an erroneous form of planning and foresight, since if it is not optimal, it can condition your future. According to a study by the University of Valencia, 23% of Spanish students drop out or change their chosen degree in their first year (27% in public schools and 19% in private schools). If we add to this the high percentage of students who arrive without knowing what to do and without any motivation, the outlook is not very encouraging. We don’t all have to follow the same time frames, each one has his own pace. If you can’t find your way either, you might be interested in watching this video: Future experience All this reflection without forgetting the importance of learning English, which is essential when it comes to finding a job, since what used to be a differentiating aspect is now a requirement. Of developing important personal skills that you will acquire while learning to cope abroad in different cultural environments. And of the opportunity to study and work to help you pay for your stay and to acquire work experience that will enrich your CV. But there is also time to enjoy! Gap Year is a personal adventure in which you will live new experiences and make friends for life! During this Gap Year, in addition to studying and working abroad, you will also be able to attend the Open Days organized by universities that will help you resolve doubts and make decisions regarding what to study. You will learn first-hand the reason for their prestige based on their methodology and their diversity of degrees and postgraduate courses, how to apply for a place at a British university and how to obtain funding for Europeans that will allow you to defer payment for your degree until you finish it and start working. Volunteering abroad But there’s more! What if you also volunteer for a local charity? These are second-hand shops run by NGOs such as Save the Children, Oxfam or Cancer Research, where, in addition to collaborating in a social task, you’ll also be able to practise the language and interact with local people. Social work is very satisfying and is an asset to add to your CV. If we combine the advantages of the educational systems in countries such as Ireland, the United Kingdom and Canada with learning English, working and volunteering, we have the perfect cocktail for a unique international experience. We look forward to seeing you!   Come with us! Still not sure? Do you have any questions? Get in touch with us. Not only will we advise you on the best choice to meet your goals, we will also be waiting for you abroad to take your first steps “abroad” with you with our Welcome Plan. Find out more here.

Last places for this summer in Cambridge, departures from Madrid: Volunteer Live Cambridge Discover London and Brighton Get to know the University of Cambridge And also in Toronto:

Here we are again with our SUMMER PROGRAMS. We have made an effort to cook up a varied menu of programs to satisfy all of you, parents and young people. We repeat programs with 100% satisfaction (well, 99%, but we work every day to improve) such as Bournemouth, Cambridge, Chichester, Family Immersion or English with your family, although in this one we have a new soccer camp for the little ones. And we have new additions for those of you who already know us and want to try something new like Brighton, Dublin or Toronto. All of them were created with love and prudence, as if for our own daughters, seeking a balance between cultural and vital learning, and fun. And since we know that price is important to you, we have tried to adjust here and there to continue offering the best quality-price ratio. We hope you like them! > Cambridge – United Kingdom > Bournemouth – United Kingdom > Brighton – United Kingdom > Chichester – United Kingdom > English with your Family – United Kingdom > Dublin – Ireland > Family Immersion – Ireland > Toronto – Canada

Once again this year, we have been invited to participate in ICEF BERLIN, the most important meeting for international professionals in the education sector. From November 5 to 9, Pablo Fernández, our Business Development Director, and Alejandra Suárez, Operations Coordinator, participated in numerous panels and talks about the latest trends in the sector. We love attending because it allows us to meet with our suppliers and collaborators with whom we take the opportunity to share ideas, and with new schools and universities with whom we establish new alliances.You will have fresh news soon! 😉

Our Gap Year is a program where WE SAVE TIME. Time to discover new places, time to live with other cultures, time to get to know yourself better and clarify your ideas, time to learn other languages, time for your first work experience, time to decide your academic and professional future. This year we’re joining the Black Friday craze to offer you up to 35% off our flagship program: Gap Year. The offer is valid for those who book between November 20 and December 5, 2018. Discover incredible destinations: Cambridge London Brighton Eastbourne Fill out the following form if you want more information and if you prefer that we call you.

Today, May 1st, is International Workers’ Day. Do you know where it comes from? This day is celebrated worldwide in homage to the so-called “Chicago Martyrs”, a group of anarchist trade unionists who were executed in 1886 and were actively involved in the defense of the 8-hour workday, as opposed to the usual 12-16 hours of the time. Since 1886 and the victory of the 8-hour workday, the labor panorama has changed considerably and workers have gradually been gaining rights such as freedom of association, the right to strike, not to be directly or indirectly discriminated against for employment, collective bargaining… among many others. However, in parallel with the improvement of conditions and the achievement of rights, the personal qualities and academic requirements demanded by companies from new professionals have nothing to do with the conditions of yesteryear. Within these new demands, knowledge and academic training are not enough; personal skills such as public speaking, teamwork, analytical skills, tolerance, critical thinking, the ability to adapt and solve problems, as well as knowing languages, are now essential requirements when it comes to finding a good job and being able to advance at work. These are exactly the skills we work on at Connectors Plus. Each of our programs is carefully designed and tailored to work on skills development and personal growth to achieve success in the world of work. In our Gap Year programme we offer you English, work and personal development. And if your expectations demand more, a University Degree or Master’s Degree in the UK is the best option to achieve professional success. The British education system works on the development of personal skills and abilities that are so in demand in the new labour market. So, you know, find out about our programs and ask us about the key to success!!