I'm graduating from college this month, and just accepted a job that I'll start in June-July. I was lucky enough to get a signing bonus as well as have some money saved up, and I want to put this gap time to good use.<p>I've got a few side projects that I've been putting off that I could work on, and a few hobbies that I could spend some time on (photography, for one), but I could do these things anytime.<p>Any particular places to travel? Any experiences that I could go and seek out in this time? Any other ideas?
I've always loved traveling to places where the standard of living is much cheaper then where I live. This way you can eat better and do way more extravagant things while potentially <i>saving</i> money. Between 5 star meals you could be hacking your side projects from a posh roof top patio and when your in a slump you can go site seeing.<p>The other advice I'd give to traveling to relatively exotic places is to somewhere that someone you trust knows well; preferably with said person. The best way to find all the gems of a new place and get a real feel for the local flavor is with someone who knows how to showcase it. If you have friends from interesting places see if they can help you plan a trip, or see if they can join you for some portion of the excursion.
I'll be in the same situation in 2 months, leaving my current job in a social network company. I'm going to spend some time on my own projects, and start freelancing while traveling in South East Asia.<p>When you'll have your day job, you'll have very little time to work on your side projects, so I would say take advantage of that now. That, or traveling for an extended period of time is also very eye-opening if you haven't done it yet. South America is still my favorite place. In 6 months you can see most of the continent, not sure if you'll want to go back home though :-)
I will travel, or be a volunteer or both things at the same time.<p>After I drop the college, I went to north Italy, bought abandoned house and I restored it. I learned a lot of stuff.<p>If you are from US, maybe go to Europe is quite expensive at this moment, and probably you can get more in south america for your bucks.<p>If you have an idea about what kind of experience are you looking for, maybe we can give better advices.
I'm in a similar situation. Ideally in 6 months, i'd like to be proficient at Rails, familiar with Haskell, and build an income source stable enough to not have to get a job. (ie.. be ramen profitable) So that's where my 6 months are going
Set a deadline (maybe 6 weeks) and finish a side-project I have going on - While still in 'work mode'. It frustrates me sitting around at my day job and then scrambling to work on it in free time/travel time.<p>I'd love to get up, get ready in the morning, (go somewhere, ideally) and do 8 hours of MY work a day.
I'd go to Central America, study my brains out, and learn Spanish. Knowing another language is invaluable. It's very doable to become very proficient (not fluent though)in another language during this time - I've done it. Antigua, Guatemala has some of the best and cheapest one on one tutoring in the world.