Gap Year
Why take a gap year?
Your gap year is an opportunity to travel, experience and learn more about communities, cultures and yourself. With a wealth of opportunity out there, a gap year is a chance to step away from your everyday life and immerse yourself in a world of endless possibilities. You could volunteer to be part of a conservation project that's working towards protecting the rainforest, undertake community work bettering education facilities for underprivileged children or spend time caring for endangered animals. Alternatively if you have a head for adventure why not spend your gap year scaling snow capped mountains, diving the deep blue seas or throwing yourself off a bridge with only elastic attached to your ankles?
Why take a gap year with an organisation?
What better way to explore new countries and cultures than with an expert? A good gap year organisation will offer you support both in country and at home. It will have researched all projects to make sure that both volunteers and partners will benefit from the experience. A reputable gap year organisation will have extensive knowledge of the countries it works in, from language and culture, good contacts for medical support, to what to do in case of crisis.
At the same time, there are also advantages to being an independent traveller. You have the benefit of moving at your own pace, and deciding what to do with your time as you go along. It is important to weigh up the advantages of both and work out what it best for you. Many people choose to take advantage of a structured placement for a while and then travel independently following that, do take the time to decide what is most suitable for you.
Research your gap year
Your gap year can be a wonderful way to explore another country, meet new people, learn new things and have new adventures. Whatever your trip, be it independent or as part of a group, it is important to research every element. It is now possible to find gap year organisations providing volunteering opportunities in almost every corner of the world. It is important to make sure you choose the right trip for you. A list of questions you should ask any organisation offering volunteer opportunities can be found at: www.ethicalvolunteering.org. Also, look out for the Fair Trade Volunteering certification.
Basically, our advice is this: work out what you really want to do, research your options thoroughly, plan what you can in advance (the year will fly by before you know it), have fun, and remember to write home from time to time!
"During my gap year I both travelled with an organisation and as an individual. I thoroughly enjoyed both elements of my trip, but what did amaze me was the amount we crammed into a 3 month trip with Quest. I soon grasped basic Spanish, became a human climbing frame for hundreds of kids and conquered 3 countries on my 6 week expedition. It made me realise I had the confidence and experience to travel on with a friend independently." Jack Howell, Villa Maria 2006