Gap Year Projects for School Leavers
There is no reason why school leavers should not do some of the options mentioned elsewhere, but there are a few organisations who offer a year abroad specifically for this group.
Doing Voluntary Work
Undertaking voluntary work during a year abroad is an area that can be both challenging and fulfilling. The idea of helping humanity in exotic locations is an appealing one to many people but it is not a decision to be taken lightly. Before you consider applying to organisations involved in voluntary work overseas ask yourself a few questions to ascertain whether it is really for you:
- Do you like working with people?
- Can you adapt to new situations and environments?
- Are you prepared to make sacrifices in terms of your own physical, financial and emotional well-being?
- Do you know the realities involved in the type of voluntary work you are considering?
- Are you prepared to 'rough it' if necessary?
If the answers are 'yes' then read on. There are two main options and in both cases you will have to pay some of the expense involved in getting you to your destination and getting you established. It is also worth remembering that voluntary work is not all smiling children and grateful villagers. There will be times when you wonder why you have made this choice, but it is one of the most rewarding options during a year abroad and something that will bring out personal characteristics that you thought were either well hidden or non-existent.
The Organisations
GAP Activity Projects
GAP House
44 Queen's Road
Reading
Berkshire RG1 4BB
Tel: (0118) 959 4914.
Web site: www.gap.org.uk
Tailored specifically for school leavers for the year before they go to university, GAP organises voluntary work experience in 34 countries, covering every continent. The selected volunteers work in a variety of jobs including: helping the handicapped, English language teaching, conservation work and office work. The assignments range from three months to a year but they all finish by the start of the next academic year. Interested pupils are recommended to apply during the first term of their final school year. Applicants must be 18 by the date they take up their attachment.
Since GAP is an educational charity the successful applicants have to pay certain costs. These include a registration fee (£50 or £40 online), return air fare to your destination, a GAP fee that helps fund your project (approx £900), insurance and, in relevant cases, a Teaching English as a Foreign Language course (approximately £200). This may seem like a lot of money, particularly if you want to go to a long-haul destination such as Australia . However, for this you will have the services of an established organisation with a proven reputation. As a first experience of an extended period abroad it is to be recommended. GAP also operate a Bursary Scheme.
GAP is highly thought of by both universities and employers - they like to see that time abroad is being spent constructively and that there are prescribed time limits. GAP has recently initiated a Business Partnership Scheme, whereby GAP volunteers are introduced to various business groups. Obviously this benefits all parties involved. Other benefits come from the time spent abroad, as one group of volunteers in Mexico explained:
'Work started the day after we arrived, as the building of the school must be finished before term starts next Monday, so this involves forming a chain - teacher, children, mothers, EVERYBODY - and passing bricks from one pile to another. There is no denying that the work is tiring, especially in the Mexican sun, but on the other hand it is good to be part of such a determined community. The smiles and enthusiasm of the kids are really warming to see.'
Project Trust
The Hebridean Centre
Isle of Coll
Argyll PA78 6TE
Tel: (01879) 230 444.
Web site: www.projecttrust.org.uk
Provides opportunities for young people between 17 and 19 to serve overseas for a year. The type of work that is undertaken includes teaching, working in children's homes and hospitals, and outdoor work in countries in Africa, South America, Asia and the Middle East. Volunteers are housed by the host organisation and are paid a living allowance.
Students must be in full-time education at the time of applying and studying for qualifications acceptable for university entrance. As with GAP they need to raise a significant part of the cost involved is approximately £4,000. Fundraising advice is given to help successful applicants raise this sum.
Applications open in March and selection courses take place from October to January the following year. Applicants are usually interviewed in their own area and the successful ones will then take part in a four-day selection course on the Isle of Coll. Of these, 80 per cent are offered places overseas.
