Gap year experiences can be 'unexpected and rewarding'

People preparing to travel abroad this summer on a gap year should prepare themselves for unexpected and rewarding experiences.

Charlie Hammans, a 20-year-old student from Chichester, told the Guardian that meeting people from the other side of the world while he was in Kenya was "amazing", adding that he learned a huge amount.

Having travelled to the African country with a friend, the pair witnessed how educational resources were extremely minimal in Kenya, and have now decided to do something about it.

Over the past year, they have raised £5,500 through sponsored runs and speech-giving at local schools.

Once they have reached their total of £7,000 they plan to return to Kenya to help build a library for the school which they volunteered in on their gap year.

Year Out Group has 13 member organisations which arrange voluntary work placements in Kenya, ranging from projects in conservation and teaching to social care and coaching.

See the different gap year destinations on offer.

( Last Updated: 2010-06-29 16:24:19)