Help selecting the gap year program that is best for you
What can I do?
The range of activities offered by gap year organisations is considerable and Year Out Group’s member organisations cover the full spectrum. Within Year Out Group we have broken these activities into four core sectors that reflect the initial specialization of the individual member organisations when they were founded. Over time most, but not all, organisations have expanded their portfolio to include gap year activities in a number of sectors. In every case research and planning in as much detail as possible is the key to a successful gap year program. Over the years many have used the 50+ questions in our “Planning a gap year?” to help them select the project that best meets their needs.
Courses and Cultural Exchange
Courses. Courses are designed to help develop a new skill or improve an existing one. They are done mostly in groups and include: art history, drama, languages, mountain biking, sub-aqua diving and water and winter sports.
(Note: Many organisations in the expedition and volunteering sector include diving, language and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) training as an integral part of some of their gap year programs.)
Cultural Exchange. The single most popular gap year programs in terms of numbers are placements in the Summer Camp programme in the United States, which provide an excellent opportunity to work with young Americans and subsequently to spend a few weeks travelling in the US. Language courses also provide an excellent opportunity to learn more about the host country and its peoples. You will also gain cultural experiences from most voluntary work and expedition placements.
Expeditions
Expeditions are group activities either based in one country or travelling through a number of countries and last from 6 to 15 weeks. They usually include a number of phases such as a community project, a conservation project and an adventure phase. Expeditions are designed to help develop each individual, particularly their self-confidence and leadership skills. This is achieved through adventure, community service and, in some cases, scientific exploration. Some of these expeditions involve small groups (up to 16 people) while others are larger, often international groups, though the day to day work is done in small teams depending on the task. All expeditions are led by carefully selected, qualified leaders. The larger expeditions provide opportunities for those aged 25 and over to participate as volunteer managers.
In addition there are a few gap year programs that operate on the same basis as an expedition owing to their remote location. These usually centre on long term conservation projects.
(Note: Many voluntary work programs also offer an adventure phase which is normally done at the end of the voluntary work placement.)
Volunteering
Year Out Group members offer a very wide variety of volunteering activities across the world. There really is something for everyone including teaching, care work and community and conservation projects. Projects may be designed for groups or individuals, though individuals are often paired or formed into small teams depending on the requirements of their host organisations. Volunteers may be accommodated collectively or live with a family in the local community. This broad range of activities and living arrangements make it particularly important for those considering a voluntary work placement to research it in as much detail as possible. The aim should be to make sure that you are right for the project and vice versa.
Work Placements
Structured work placements. The Year in Industry (YinI) is currently the only organisation in this section. If you are interested in engineering, science, IT, e-commerce, business, marketing, finance or logistics then YinI has vacancies in 300 companies across the UK working in technology, science and engineering from multi-nationals to entrepreneurial star-ups.
Unpaid work placements. Several Year Out Group members have partnerships with a variety of organisations around the world that offer internships.
Paid work placements. A number of year Out Group members are able to offer paid work placements in a number of locations overseas. These are usually low paid but in fun locations or timed so that you can enjoy a particular hobby or sport, e.g. skiing or snowboarding, in your spare time.
Where can I go?
Year Out Group’s members operate in over 90 gap year destinations around the world. When deciding where you would like to take your gap year you can check for basic background and up to date security information on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s (FCO’s) website.
You are then strongly advised to buy a good guide book in order to learn more about the country, its history, people and customs.
Which organisation?
There are now hundreds of gap year organisations based in the UK and overseas. Selecting the gap year organisation and the gap year program that is right for you requires careful research. It is for this reason the Year Out Group developed the 50+ questions in its “Planning a year out?” section. These can be used to help you check out any gap year organisation. It is even more important to use these questions should you decide to try and book direct not least because there is an increasing number of poor organisations and even scams trying to attract your custom.
Why Year Out Group?
Year Out Group is a membership organisation. Year Out Group only accepts gap year organisations that have been operating for at least three years and meet the Group’s membership criteria. Members are then required to demonstrate annually that they continue to meet the meet the membership criteria.
Year Out Group’s members will have checked out all their gap year programs and will do their best to check that you are right for the program you have chosen and vice versa. They will provide you with information about your project and destination and brief you as appropriate. Once in country their representative will be available to support you should anything go wrong.
