Explore Europe with New Friends
Are you hungry to travel the world, but intimidated by the challenge of solo travel? Are you interested in taking a gap year, but you don’t want (or cannot afford) a fully organized one?
Gap Year Launchpad is a new kind of experience for 18- to 23-year-olds who want to kickstart their first big trip alongside a group of equally motivated peers. We provide the homebase, the training, the community, and the rail pass. Then we launch you into Europe, and you create the adventure.
This program is a collaboration between Unschool Adventures and Gap Year Base Camp, open to all young adults regardless of educational background.
When
June 9-19, 2025
Where
Brussels, Belgium
Who
15-20 participants (ages 18-23)
STAFF
Blake Boles & Ivey Patton
Cost
$2100
↑ Travel is better with friends ↑
The Big Idea
World travel can be fun, meaningful, and life-changing. It can also be intimidating, overwhelming, and lonely. Whether you’re planning a full gap year or a shorter adventure—how can you make the most of this precious opportunity?
There are an endless number of videos, articles, and books out there to help prepare you for travel. But there’s nothing quite like two experienced human beings, standing right in front of you, ready to answer every question and equip you with the skills, tools, and street smarts necessary to launch into the world with confidence.
Most importantly, it’s about learning by doing. Rather than sitting at home and imagining what it’s like to travel, you’ll be living and learning alongside like-minded peers, in a bustling hostel in central Brussels, smack-dab in the pulsing heart of Europe. Each day will include both theory and practice, reflection and adventure, and solitude and socializing. At the end, we’ll send you off with a train pass, new travel companions, and a buzzing sense of possibility.
How it Works
Gap Year Launchpad takes place in two stages:
Training & Playing
June 9-19 in Brussels
The adventure has already begun before we meet as you travel independently to Brussels and make your way to the hostel. Then comes 10 intensive days of training and playing. “Training” means classes, workshops, and small-group adventures. “Playing” means group games, connection activities, exploration, and spontaneous fun. (We’re serious about balancing talking with doing; this will not be a series of dry lectures!) Over these 10 days you’ll build skills, make friends, get to know Brussels by foot and public transport, and make concrete plans for your imminent departure.
Independent Travel with Friends
June 19 – ____ ??
Equipped with a Eurail pass, travel partners, and your training, you’ll begin your independent travels through Europe: arranging your own accommodations, managing your own money, and turning theory into practice as you explore Paris, London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Zurich, Rome, Prague, or more off-the-beaten-path destinations. It’s your life—travel as long as you like, with whom you like, and return home whenever it’s right. The trip leaders will remain available (via messaging) for two weeks after the program to help you navigate any tricky situations that you can’t solve yourself.
↑ Switzerland can be heavenly… if you learn how to afford it ↑
What You’ll Learn
Your 10 days in Brussels will be a crash course in the art of independent travel. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Staying safe and managing risk as an independent traveler (including concerns specific to women)
- Finding affordable lodging and transportation
- Setting a realistic budget and avoiding scams
- Discovering and creating meaningful, low-cost, non-touristy activities
- Self-care, both mental and physical
- Traveling with purpose and ethics
- Planning ahead vs. staying flexible
- Connecting & partnering with fellow travelers
- Feeding yourself for less than $20/day
- Finding local social events
- Overcoming language barriers with good humor
- Harnessing technology without getting captured
- Using Couchsurfing & WorkAway
- Sleeping well in sometimes-noisy hostel rooms
- Navigating crisis situations, small and large
- Communicating with loved ones at home
In the months leading up to departure, you’ll also receive guidance from us about booking flights, building Couchsurfing/Workaway profiles, packing, budgeting, and other pre-trip concerns. And for those considering enrollment in future structured gap programs, Ivey is providing her counseling services for free to participants.
Where We’ll Stay
Our homebase for ten nights will be Brugel Hostel. Located next to an ancient cathedral and walking distance to historic sites, transport hubs, restaurants, and shopping areas, we will enjoy a truly amazing homebase. You’ll stay in dorm beds with other members of Gap Year Launchpad, eat breakfasts alongside other hostel guests, and enjoy exclusive access to two private meeting rooms.
Meet the Leaders
Blake Boles
Blake is the founder and director of Unschool Adventures, the author of multiple books about self-directed learning, and a perpetual traveler. Californian by birth, Blake has explored Europe by bicycle and train since 2017. Right now he’s living in Europe with a 2-year residency permit (thank you, Netherlands) and he’s delighted to share everything he’s learned about this wonderful continent with you.
Blake is currently writing a new book for young adults who aren’t finding their home in the normal employment system, titled Dirtbag Rich. He’s also venturing into the wild world of TikTok. Learn more at blakeboles.com.
Ivey Patton
Ivey Patton, founder of Gap Year Basecamp, is a passionate advocate for transformative travel experiences. As a dedicated gap year counselor helping young adults plan and thrive on travel adventures around the world, she guides young people through the complexities of independent travel and helps them choose from the vast number of amazing gap programs and opportunities.
After college and a decade of world travel, Ivey settled with her family in Durango, Colorado, where she’s worn many hats: teacher, small business owner, summer camp founder, and ski instructor. Fueled on caffeine and enthusiasm, she’s happiest when exploring on foot, wild swimming, and eating breakfast at foreign cafes.
Guest Speakers
You’ll also learn from a handful of guest speakers in their mid-twenties, offering valuable perspectives from their recent travels and adventures. More about them, coming soon!
Katie Mitchell
Katie is a seasoned traveler who has been involved with Unschool Adventures as a participant (Adventure Semester 2015), trip assistant (New Zealand 2019), and guest speaker (Patagonia Retreat 2023). Currently finishing her master’s degree in Colorado, Katie is looking forward to returning to Europe in 2025, where she lived for several years in her early twenties.
Her adventures across Europe include just about every mode of transport you can imagine: she’s walked, hiked, biked, bus-hopped, euro-railed, and flown solo through countless countries, gathering stories and experiences along the way. She calls these solo travels the turning point that shaped her into a confident global citizen, and she’s excited to spill her best tips and tales with you at the Gap Year Launchpad.
Daily(ish) Schedule
9am
Breakfast
10am
Class/Workshop
1pm
Lunch Break
3pm
Adventures & Explorations
7pm
Dinner
9pm
Evening Activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s covered by the program fee?
The Unschool Adventures program fee includes:
- Accommodation, breakfasts, lunches, and half (5) of the dinners
- All workshops and instruction
- 4-day Eurail Global Youth Pass
- Trip t-shirt
It does not include:
- Your transport to Brussels
- Half (5) of the dinners: expect to pay €15-25 to eat out, less for a grocery store dinner
- Brussels public transport (~$2-3 per journey)
- Eurail seat reservations (~$5-20 per journey)
How much should I budget for independent travel?
This is a very personal decision, and it very much depends on where you go. We will help you think through this prior to the program. To be safe, budget at least $500/week.
How does the application and enrollment process work?
Apply by December 1st (the priority application deadline) for your best chance of joining this program. All applications received by this date will receive equal priority. After December 1st, we will conduct brief interviews with all applicants to make sure that they’re a good fit for the program. We will then make offers of enrollment. When offered enrollment, you’ll have two weeks to submit your paperwork and the $1000 non-refundable deposit—then your spot is secured! (The remaining balance is due in March.)
By the end of December we should have solid knowledge about the size and composition of our participant group. If we don’t have sufficient enrollment by this time, we may cancel the program. After December 1st, applications remain open and interviews are conducted a la carte until the program fills to capacity.
What if I’m not really taking a “gap year?”
That’s fine: we’re using the term “gap year” to indicate many kinds of extended independent travel. Some “gap years” are highly organized programs, and others are DIY, cobbled-together experiences. (We’ll be training you for the DIY type!) Even if you’re just thinking about traveling in Europe for a few weeks after this program, you’re welcome to join. All sizes and shapes of gap years are welcome!
What kind of Eurail pass will I receive?
You’ll receive a 4-day Eurail Global Youth Pass, granting you unlimited train travel for four different 24-hour periods over the course of a month—plenty to kickstart your independent travels! If you want more days, you’re welcome to upgrade your pass (1 additional day: $31 / 3 days: $83 / 6 days: $138).
Who will my companions be during the independent travel?
That’s something we cannot know or guarantee in advance, but don’t worry—we’ll actively address this during the training, making sure that no one departs alone.
Do I need to speak a foreign language?
No, English will get you most places you need to go in Brussels. Of course, the more foreign language skills you can bring to Europe, the more doors you’ll open for yourself and your travel companions!
How do I arrive at the hostel? Can I arrive early?
Unlike other Unschool Adventures trips, we will not fly together as a group from the United States. You are empowered (and required!) to book your own flight and travel independently to meet us in Brussels. (If you’d like to coordinate flights with other members of this trip, we’ll help you do this.) Upon landing in Brussels, it’s a simple matter of taking public transport and then walking to the hostel. If you’d like to arrive early, you’re welcome to do so: simply book yourself a bed at the Bruegel Hostel (or elsewhere), and we’ll see you on June 9th!
What will the weather be like? What do I need to bring?
You can expect cool, mild days with alternating sun and rain. Bring a basic set of layers for all weather conditions, and you’ll be fine!
How and when should I book my international plane tickets?
Please wait until you have a confirmed place in the program before purchasing any flights; in early 2025, we’ll provide guidance and advice for arranging your flights. For those with flexible summer travel plans, we will recommend purchasing a one-way flight to Europe. But fundamentally the decision is up to you!
What about visas?
If you’re coming from the US or Canada, you can travel visa-free in the Schengen Area (encompassing much of Western Europe) and the UK for 90 days. We will discuss the visa situation (and how it affects your ability to travel long-term) prior to departure.
What’s the sleeping and bathroom situation like?
You’ll stay in standard 4- or 6-bed dormitories with other members of Gap Year Launchpad. Some of the dorms have en suite bathroom facilities, and others have shared facilities. Some dorms may be single-gender, others mixed gender. We cannot accept room requests at this point. After enrollment and closer to departure date, we’ll ask for your preferences regarding rooms and roommates, and then we’ll take it from there.
What is your policy on drugs and alcohol?
Drugs are forbidden on all Unschool Adventures trip, and any possession or use of illegal drugs (including non-prescribed medications) is cause for immediate dismissal. Regarding alcohol, this program is a different from other UA trips because all participants are above age 18 and legally permitted to purchase alcohol in Belgium. While UA will not distribute alcohol or allow it in our rooms or meeting spaces, participants are otherwise free to make their own choices. We will even cover “being safe while drinking” in our workshops! But this is not a party trip, and drunken stupidity will be not tolerated. If that’s your intention, we’ll invite you to begin your independent travels immediately.
Can you accommodate my ADHD / social anxiety / neurodivergence / etc?
Over the years, Unschool Adventures has accommodated countless young adults with brains that work a bit differently. If you’ve read this webpage carefully and feel like you can and really want to participate in what we’re offering—we’re happy to have you.
For the record, we will expect all participants to participate fully! This means talking to strangers, putting yourself in uncomfortable (but not unsafe) situations, and joining all the workshops and activities unless you’re deathly ill. This is not an a la carte, “join if you feel like it” kind of offering. It’s “go big or go home” experience for young adults ready to boldly step into their next stage of life, regardless of labels and diagnoses.
Will I survive if I’m vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free?
You will! Brussels is a cosmopolitan hub with all sorts of food options. More severe dietary restrictions (such as celiac or specific allergies) may be challenging or impossible to accommodate. There is space to describe your needs and restrictions in the online application.
Can I cook at the hostel?
Unfortunately the hostel only has a mini-fridge, microwave, and hot water kettle. So you can store a few cold items and make yourself tea or ramen, but you cannot cook a real meal. Fortunately, most of your food is provided in the program, and the five dinners out will be fun excuses to explore Brussels!
I have another question!
Wonderful! Please email it directly to Blake: blake@unschooladventures.com.
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