Gap Year For Americans

A gap year is the year that young people take either the year after high school or the year after college or university to go and see the world. This is considered to be a part of their education and and an important part of the maturing process. Increasingly employers and universities give preference to those who do gap years.

Many assume that gap years cost a fortune but this is not so. Countries throughout Europe have accommodation that is is designed to fit the budget of gappers and students. In other countries, the discrepancy in currencies make good accommodation incredibly inexpensive.

In some countries, it is possible to get temporary work depending on what sort of visa you're traveling on. As a volunteer, you would get a visa that enables you to live in the country where you are volunteering.

Volunteering
So you want to volunteer your services and simultaneously have fun and learn about other cultures? Great! I’m going to tell you about my home country, South Africa, first There are lots of exciting opportunities there.

Aligning Your Choice to a Future Career
So, if you’re planning on making a career of conservation management, consider volunteering at a game reserve. Yes, you will see lions, elephants, rhino, wildebeest, zebra, buck, and every other animal there is. You will get to know many different people. South Africa has eleven official languages and each one of those languages belongs to a different nation. Mandela called South Africa the Rainbow Nation, and it is. Later, when you’re applying for jobs as a conservationist, this experience will stand you in good stead.

South Africa
South Africa has many other opportunities to volunteer and all of them are worthwhile. I will tell you that it’s not the safest country in the world, but if you listen to those around you as to where you can go, and where is best avoided, you will be fine. And you’ll probably love it, and it will be the experience of a life time.

From Australia to Zambia
Virtually every country in the world has a conservation volunteering jobs.Think Thailand, Sri Lanka, Namibia, and many more. If you do decide to go to Namibia, I do have to tell you that if you decide to go driving on that snow white desert sand, do so in a four wheel drive, and drive slowly. The last time I was there, my ex-husband was careening across the sand at too many miles per hour and the car rolled. I climbed out alive with my six month baby.

Teaching in Nepal
For your gap year, you can volunteer as a teacher in Nepal, partake of community development programs in India, work with street children in Ecuador, assist on an archeological dig in Israel, and more than you can ever imagine.

Briefly, chose the county and the kind of volunteering you want to do, then find the gap year organization that will organize it for you. It’s that simple. And, yes, you just google it!

Costs
Sometimes, the cost of volunteering costs more than just grabbing a rucksack and going traveling. You will always have to pay for your own flights. What is included at times are full board so that you don’t have to worry about where you’re going to sleep and what you’re going to eat!

After High School or After College?
Some decide to take their gap year the year after high school; others wait until after college or after university. Whichever choice you make, having that gap year will probably influence your choices for the rest of your life. As my late mother’s generation always used to say, “Travel broadens the mind.”

Volunteer or Travel?
Probably the first thing you need to decide after you have chosen your time frame, is to decide whether you want to join up with a bunch of friends and go explore a dozen countries, or whether you prefer to volunteer your time in another country. Prince Harry spent part of his gap year working at a cattle station in Australia and the rest of in working with orphaned children in Lesotho (Southern Africa). Others use the year to see as many countries as they can.

If you’re thinking that a gap year is a waste of time, think again. Increasingly, employers and universities are selecting candidates who have taken a gap year as there is some evidence that those who spend a year experiencing the cultures of other countries tend to be better workers and better students.

Gap Year Organizations
Organizations like the Year Out Group provide excellent information for volunteering and give you all the information you need in order for you to be able to plan well ahead. It’s necessary to plan ahead because you don’t want your gap year to run into any snags.

No. 1 Choice India
India has become extremely popular over the last few years as a destination for gappers. In view of the fact that India is vying with China for the position of the next major economy, it might even be the best choice of all. While many only know about the poverty of India shown so vividly by Mother Teresa, there is another side to India. The palatial architecture, the vibrant silks, the decorative wood carving, all speak of amazing skill acquired long years before colonialism. It’s hard not to fall in love with the beauty of India. And it is so inexpensive! Of course, there’s the other side. They’re an incredibly innovative people, having just manufactured a car that sells for $2000 as well as being able to produce a foot that costs $12,000 in the United States for a mere $30 there. Obviously, it’s an enormously complex country, and probably a good choice to spend your gap year.

No. 2 Choice Peru
Second choice for gappers is Peru in South America. Macha Picchu, ancient city of the Incas, receives many visitors each year, with gappers exploring further afield than most. They follow the trails and become rich in the lore of another culture.

No. 3 Choice Tanzania
Third choice is Tanzania. Here, I have to tell you that I’ve set the book I’m attempting to write in this amazing country. The highest mountain in Africa (Kilimanjaro) is here. So are lakes that are filled with fish never seen anywhere else. The Masaai people are very tall and also very friendly. And, of course, there’s an abundance of volunteer opportunities in this country.

So, those have become the top three choices for gappers traveling during their gap year.