Growing up sure can be an exciting part of life, and with the eye-opening university experience and the prospects of a chosen career, your gap year is designed to give you some practical experience, and is best experienced in a different culture. The gap year provides many opportunities, and the vast majority of people will engage with an organisation that oversees foreign development projects. There are different volunteer programs that offer you an unforgettable experience in a tropical environment, and also the chance to experience local customs and cultures, and with many projects on the go, you can choose something that suits you.
Established Operators
Organising volunteer programs for gap year students require considerable resources, and they would need to be well-established in the destination country. Look for one that has a wide range of programs, allowing you to be involved in something that interests you. A quick online search would reveal the website of an established operator, and by browsing the site, you will soon have a clear picture of what to expect, for example, on volunteer gap year programs in Asia. If you would like more ideas on how to spend your gap year, here are a few innovative ideas.
FAQ
When browsing through the website, check its extensive FAQ section, where all your questions would be answered, covering topics like insurance, visas, accommodation, health issues and travel requirements. Once you have spent a while reading this, you would have a much better idea of what the experience offers, and also what it entails.
Community Projects
If you like the idea of working with other volunteers to improve the quality of life for small, local communities, volunteer work is the ideal choice for that gap year, with many agricultural projects in exotic countries like Thailand, which is always a magnet for young people. Doing something worthwhile gives you an incredible feeling of worth, and most volunteers forge lifelong friendships from their time spent working on community projects. If you would like to know more about community development projects, there are various articles that outline the principles of community development.
Arrive Early
While there are no hard and fast rules about how you get to your destination, the operator would expect you to be in the country for at least 3 weeks prior to the program start date, and you would be given instructions on where to meet and what to bring. Visas and travel insurance are left to the volunteer to arrange, which is all part of the gap year experience, and by making contact with the operator at least 6 months prior to your preferred start date, you can plan everything easily. The great thing about joining such a program is the ongoing advice all the way through the process, and with an informative website, you can explore the many opportunities that volunteer work holds. You might want to teach some English, or work in the fields planting rice, and with a wide range of community programs available, finding something of interest is easy.
The gap year is a time to embrace new experiences, and by joining forces with a reputable organiser, your volunteer experience will be truly fulfilling in many ways.
Tiffany
I never had a gap year, but I so wish I did x
Tiffany Tales | Lifestyle & Beauty