Gap Years: Useful links and advice

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There was a pretty good article in the guardan on the weekend:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/jan/17/volunteering-abroad

Check out http://www.raleighinternational.org for projects in Central America and Asia

Reply 61

luvntravel

I found the Green Tortoise really knowledgeable about places ive never even heard of and places I've always dreamed of seeing. Amazing trips with great food. I met some fab people whilst travelling with them too!

http://www.greentortoise.com/adventure.travel.html

Reply 62

x___Clare

I'm planning to go away with unitedplayground, to Ghana to work in an orphanage.Quite a range of projects and it's the cheapest I've seen so far.
I'm trying to work out a plan to raise the funds though. Fundraising ofcourse but does anyone know of any sites/trusts/businesses interested in this kind of thing?
Everything seems to be for groups/organisations and doesn't include individuals.

x

Reply 63

Aerasay

If you want a fully funded 3-12 months overseas volunteering check out VSO's Youth programs - Global exchange and Youth For Development. www.vso.org.uk

Reply 64

kate_smith

Hi,

I took my gap year with VentureCo Worldwide and it was really great, it combined volunteering with the book bus with learning a bit of Spanish and activities like climbing to Machu Picchu. Here is the website www.ventureco-worldwide.com.

Kate :cool:

Reply 65

gogogo123

Original post by butterflew

www.thepodsite.co.uk

ace, i recommend them

Personal Overseas Development

yeah they're really good and trustworthy, i agree!

Reply 66

Jonowilkins

Wow! A 6 year old conversation! Thats nearly a third of my life time :smile:

Reply 67

dancinginrainbows

Does anyone know any reputable organisations that organise gap-year work in Central Europe, in particular in Hungary?

Reply 68

fasteddy

dancinginrainbows - umm have you thought about teaching? Like the International TEFL Academy have teaching jobs in Hungary, you can search more positions on this guide to teaching English in Europe. Lake Balaton is beautiful try to visit there!!

If anyone is on Twitter this page has good gap year advice:
http://www.twitter.com/gapyear

Or Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/gapyear365

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 69

Ewan

Original post by dancinginrainbows

Does anyone know any reputable organisations that organise gap-year work in Central Europe, in particular in Hungary?

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1547683

Reply 70

ToughLove

This is really useful stuff. I was wondering whether its better to have an organized trip or just whether it better going solo with a group or something??? The sites an information is really helpful on here thanks!

Reply 71

hamburgerandbeans

I'm looking for a gap year organisation that takes people for a long period of time (2 months or more). Preferably one which is cheap (probably one of those 'not-for-profit' ones).

Reply 72

rafiki_11

For longer projects I recommend Africa & Asia Venture www.aventure.co.uk - I went to Kenya with them and spent 3 months coaching sports and working in a school and then they include a month of travel afterwards so you know everyone is staying and you have people to travel with.

I admit they were not the cheapest but when I did my research they had the best reviews from past volunteers I spoke to and included so much more than other people. Watch out for really cheap projects who just act as the middle man and pass you onto other projects. AV's projects are their own, they're very hands on, small and personal - there were 25 of us in the group and the rep at the airport greeted each of us by name and I'd never met him before, small things but they make a big difference when you're going abroad alone for the first time! Also been running for a long time which was good. The whole group stayed together rather than people coming and going and the give you a lot of independence which is great. I've met loads of AV volunteers since who have all had an amazing time, yet to meet one who didn't - can't argue with that!

Remeber - if you expect the community to pay your food, accommodation etc you're not really helping them! Volunteering is never free as you need to support yourself whilst you're there - it is however the most amazing experience ever, good luck!

Reply 73

blair turgott

I am looking for an organisation that has teaching/coaching opportunities in Thailand for about 3 to 6 months. I am trying to find one that is affordable and not one of those massively expensive ones. However I am looking for one that is safe/gives a lot of support as I have never travelled alone before and never travelled to a third world country.

Anyone got any recommendations?

Reply 74

zhengty

If you are going to learn Chinese and discover the mysterous of China, visit www.cucas.edu.cn to find out ideal programs.

Reply 75

liv89

If you are interested in a 3 month gap year trip in South America or Africa then visit www.questoverseas.com . All the trips involve volunteering whether it be building a dam in Africa, organising holiday activities for kids in Peru or helping at an animal sanctuary in the bolivian rainforest. Quest also does 6 week summer trips for people who want to travel/volunteer during summer holidays before, during or after uni.

Reply 76

Cymon

Telegraph has just published some useful info. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hubs/gapyear/9479952/Gap-year-choosing-an-ethical-volunteering-project.html

Reply 77

liv89

Here is a link to a Guide for Gap Years for anyone who is trying decide whether to take a gap year or is currently planning their gap year.

http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/home/?u=ff28279c3b0f5d340c9d84c13&id=a08765769f

It was compiled by staff at Quest Overseas (www.questoverseas.com) but it is mainly general info and useful to anyone and everyone who is thinking of taking a gap year.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 78

letsdothetimewarpagain

http://originalvolunteers.co.uk/
http://www.projects-abroad.co.uk/
http://www.frontier.ac.uk/

www.raleighinternational.org would recommend them whole heartedly! Feel free to PM for advice/questions about them.

Reply 79

cdchris2

Does anyone have any useful links to any companies or organisations that offer summer work in America?

I am thinking about BUNAC Work America, and would like to explore other opportunities as well.

Thanks