As tuition fees continue to rise, gap years seem more appealing now than ever before. The financial commitment of a 3 year degree cannot rival a year ambling Asia, or a few months behind an Aussie bar, especially while it’s still easy to find bargain airline tickets & accommodation with the barest research.
That said, there’s only so much the school of life can teach you, especially when you’re “studying” in a bar. Get specific, however, & you may come back with a career – or at least an excellent entry on your CV. For anyone who harbours a passion for the Martial Arts, training abroad offers a uniquely immersive & rewarding experience – the chance to combine travel with the discipline & adrenaline-fuelled sense of accomplishment that some say only the feudal arts can provide.
Muay Thai in Thailand
A rewarding travel destination in its own right, Thailand’s native Muay Thai art is a fantastic system for fitness, confidence, & self-defence. Seemingly oblivious of their worldwide renown, however, some training camps charge as little as 366 US Dollars or 253 Euros for a full month of training & private accommodation. And, of course, the expression “all work & no play makes Jack a dull boy” resonates in any language; you’ll get plenty of time to yourself to explore the sights & sounds of your Thai surroundings. You may even find yourself able to step out of the gym & straight onto Bangkok’s bustling streets.
Ninjitsu in Japan
Of all the Martial Arts portrayed in popular culture, few can rival the – for lack of a better word – “coolness” of the Ninja. Most of us, however, will never know any more about Ninjitsu than popular entertainment has portrayed. And given that Ninjutsu literally means “the art of invisibility”, this does seem fitting. The irony, however, is that the man considered by many to be last living Ninja, is actually relatively easy to find. Dr Masaaki Hatsmui teaches just outside Tokyo, & has had people travelling from all over the world to learn traditional Ryu Ninjutsu since the 1970s. And with Tokyo literally a shuriken throw away, when you’re not mastering the art of stealth, the busiest city in the world will be happy to keep you entertained.
Kali in California
In the majority of cases, to study with the best in a particular art you must travel to its native land. You’re unlikely to find a better place to learn Brazilian Jujitsu than Brazil itself, & if traditional Karate wets your appetite training in Okinawa may be your best recourse. However, the man who considered by many to be the leading authority on the Filipino Martial Arts actually teaches in Marina Del Rey, California. Dan Inosanto, possibly the most knowledgeable Martial Artist alive today, is extremely humble & unassuming. His 2 story academy welcomes travelling students all year round. Several hotels within walking distance actually offer reduced rates to anyone staying in the area to train with Inosanto. And with his team’s knowledge of dozens of systems, students will literally be spoilt for choice.
Image by Rick Tew’s NinjaGym™ Martial Arts
