Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Planning your gap - the first steps
What do you want to do?
The beauty of the modern gap-year is the amount of choice and variety on offer: each is
as unique as the individual participant, and each is an opportunity to create a tailored pro-
gramme to meet their own personal ambitions.
You know your own personality, your interests, your strengths and weaknesses. Are you
someone who likes to get stuck into something for a while - or do you want to be on the
move a lot?
If you're not confident about coping alone with unfamiliar situations you might want a more
structured, group setting. On the other hand if you know you need time away from the
crowds, you're bound to want to build in some independent travel.
Voluntary work attracts the most placements and the greatest variety of projects, with place-
ments available in nearly every country where gap-year providers operate.
Teaching is the most popular activity and is the ideal way to experience a country's culture
and customs. When volunteering as an individual it generally follows that the longer the
placement, the greater the benefit to both the volunteer and the host organisation.
Or perhaps you want to explore things you've always wanted to pursue but never had time?
It could be anything from a spiritual retreat to meditation and yoga, art, photography, a new
language or particular places and cultures.
Maybe you're particularly concerned about the state of the world and would like to do your
bit environmentally or contribute to helping disadvantaged people? The possibilities are
endless and many gappers end up constructing a programme that combines several elements.
Those with a full year at their disposal will perhaps have time for more than one activity,
and might want to combine a structured element to their gap with some travel. The increase
in cheap flights and wider access to previously unreachable destinations has made this even
more possible.
Choosing the activity, destination and organisation most suited to the individual can be a dif-
ficult and time-consuming task. However, proper planning and research is crucial and will
help ensure you get the most out of your time; a gap or career break can easily be wasted
without planning ahead.
It is also important that you are aware of your responsibilities. Dropping out of a placement
or programme before it has finished can be disruptive not only to you but also to others dir-
ectly and indirectly involved.
