There are numerous programmes/courses available to those
taking time out perhaps on a Gap Year. We have listed below a number of
reputable organisations that provide well structured programmes at home
or abroad. We have provided a brief description of their schemes but for
further information contact them directly on the links we have provided
below.
The first list of schemes below are run by companies
in ‘The Year Out Group’, which is an association of independent
UK-registered organisations of various sizes, at least one of whose principal
activities is the provision of high quality structured programmes in the
UK or overseas for young people taking time out between school or college
and higher education or employment, or between higher education and a
job. The Year Out Group is supported by DFEE & UCAS.
To give you even more peace of mind every organisation
below works within ‘The Year Out Group’s’ Code
of Practice.
ACADEMIC YEAR IN THE USA & EUROPE
Tel: 020 8786 7711: Website: www.aaiuk.org
Offers cultural exchange and study abroad opportunities to enable you
to discover an in-depth understanding of your chosen host country, its
people, way of life, culture, language and traditions, whilst developing
invaluable lifelong personal skills and a deep inter-cultural awareness.
USA, France, Germany, Spain, Italy - 3, 4, 5 or 9 months - active social
life, varied courses and activities, winter and summer sports, music,
drama, art history and more. Early application recommended.
AFRICA & ASIA VENTURE
Tel: 01380 729009: Website: www.aventure.co.uk
For motivated students and graduates of 18-24, who want to spend 3- 4
months’ teaching English & Sports in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda,
Malawi, Botswana, Nepal, and the Indian Himalayas. Comprehensive training
in TEFL, Swahili, Hindi or Nepali, local religion, culture & history
is provided, plus acommodation, food and a local salary. Departures in
September, January and May. Full support and back-up. Apply via website
for free brochure, no application fee. Apply soonest as places limited.
AFRICAN CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE
Tel: 0870 241-5816 Web site: www.ConservationAfrica.net
We arrange for people to do conservation work on Game Reserves in Southern
Africa becoming involved in a wide range of conservation and research
projects. Projects may include darting rhino and elephant, game capture,
tracking, wildlife veterinary work and rehabilitation, game counts and
monitoring, at times done on horseback. Dolphin and whale research may
be part of the work programme.
ART HISTORY ABROAD
Tel: 020 7582 8082, Website: www.arthistoryabroad.com
Imagine studying Michelangelo and the masters of Italian art at first
hand with an enthusiastic expert. AHA’s course stays in Venice,
Florence and Rome. It is popular with students, from every academic discipline,
who understand that an appreciation of art is as fulfilling as a love
of music or literature. Courses run in the Autumn, Spring and Summer.
This is a perfect chance to immerse yourself in Italy, the most stylish,
vivid and invigorating country in Europe.
BSES EXPEDITIONS
Tel: 020 7591 3141, Website: www.bses.org.uk
BSES was founded in 1932 by Surg. Comd. Murray Levick, the doctor/zoologist
on Captain Scott's Antarctic Expedition of 1910. We run science fieldwork,
conservation, adventurous expeditions for Young Explorers (YEs) aged from
16.5 to 20 to trackless wilderness areas overseas eg Greenland, Svalbard,
the Himalayas, Namibia, Lesotho for from 4 weeks to 3 months. The Society
is an educational charity which aims to aid the self development of the
YEs, some of whom may be disabled, who come with us.
BUNAC
Tel: 020 7251 3472, Website: www.bunac.org
BUNAC offers an ever-increasing range of work/ travel programmes worldwide,
i.e. USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ghana, South Africa and Argentina,
plus reciprocal inbound programmes to the UK. Programmes vary from a few
months to a year depending on the destination country. There are all sorts
of opportunities available from teaching sports on summer camp, to working
in an amusement park in California, to teaching in Ghana or waiting tables
in Vancouver.
CESA LANGUAGES ABROAD
Tel: 01209 211800, Website: www.cesalanguages.com
CESA offers courses all year, from 2 to 24 weeks, in Europe, South America,
Japan & Russia, with selected language schools (who offer accommodation
& social activities) so that you can experience the living language,
first hand. Start from scratch or improve your French, Spanish, German,
Italian, Russian, Japanese etc.
CHANGING WORLDS
Tel: 01883 340960, Website: www.changingworlds.co.uk
Changing Worlds offers a variety of worthwhile 3-6 month placements overseas.
You receive UK and in country training including language, culture and
health issues. Changing Worlds offers paid work in Australia, Canada and
New Zealand and voluntary work in Chile, India, Nepal, Romania and Tanzania.
Opportunities include working in ski resorts, zoos, schools and orphanages.
Full support throughout. Visit our website to order a free information
pack or to apply.
CORAL CAY CONSERVATION
Tel: 0870 7500668, Website: www.coralcay.org
CCC provides resources to help sustain livelihoods and alleviate poverty
through the protection and sustainable management of coral reefs and rainforests.
CCC has assisted in the creation of 8 marine and wildlife reserves including
the designation of the Belize Barrier Reef as a World Heritage Site. Expeditions
depart throughout the year to Fiji, the Philippines and Honduras to survey
reefs and rainforests. All training, including SCUBA diving, is provided.
COUNCIL ON INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE
Tel: 020 7478 2020, Website: www.ciee.org.uk
CIEE have provided international work and study programmes for over 55
years. Opportunities include: Work & Travel programmes in Australia,
New Zealand and the USA; Internships in the USA and Canada; Teaching in
Asia, and Language Study in Europe and Latin America. Last year alone
CIEE helped over 65,000 young people to experience other cultures and
take that first step towards independence with confidence.
CSV (COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS)
Tel: 0800 374 991, Website: www.csv.org.uk
CSV is a charity that encourages people to take action in their communities.
Everyone has something offer. We provide full-time, away from home, volunteer
placements throughout the UK (and any time of the year) for young people
between 16-35. Accommodation and food is provided. Volunteers also receive
a weekly allowance of around £26. It's great for work experience,
meeting new friends and taking on exciting challenges. Contact us on freephone
0800 374 991.
FLYING FISH
Tel: 01983 280641, Website: www.flyingfishonline.com
Flying Fish provides training and work placements for sailors, divers,
surfers and windsurfers. The programme operates in Australia, Greece and
the UK, leading to professional qualifications from the RYA, AYF and PADI.
No previous experience is required. Some courses are designed for beginners,
others are for intermediates and experts. Courses include work experience
and lead to paid jobs in Europe, Australia and the South Pacific. ATOL-protected.
FRONTIER CONSERVATION
Tel: 020 7613 2422, Website: www.frontier.ac.uk
Frontier is an international conservation and research organisation founded
in 1989. Frontier offers enthusiastic volunteers the opportunity to make
an effective contribution to global conservation by working on vital research
projects in remote tropical environments for 10 or 20 weeks. Current projects
in Tanzania, Madagascar, and Vietnam. Full preparation and training is
provided, leading to a recognised qualification in Tropical Habitat Conservation.
GAP ACTIVITY PROJECTS
Tel: 0118 959 4914, Website: www.gap.org.uk
GAP Activity Projects (GAP) Ltd is an independent educational charity
founded in 1972, which organises voluntary work overseas in over 30 countries.
GAP also organises similar exchange voluntary opportunities for overseas
nationals in the UK. Currently 1,750 young people are involved annually
in GAP schemes. GAP volunteers work alongside staff in such areas as foreign
language assistants, assisting with general activities in schools, caring
for the disadvantaged, outdoor education and conservation work.
. GAP CHALLENGE/World Challenge Expeditions
Tel: 020 8537 7980, Website: www.world-challenge.co.uk
Gap Challenge provides students, aged 18-25, with the experience and education
of a lifetime. From voluntary conservation projects in Belize and paid
hotel work in Canada to teaching and care work in India. With a 12-month
return flight, there is plenty of opportunity for independent travel afterwards.
Departure dates are flexible and there is in-country support from appointed
representatives and 24-hour emergency back-up from Gap Challenge in London.
GREENFORCE
Tel: 0870 770 2646 Website: www.greenforce.org
Greenforce runs a series of environmental expeditions around the globe,
focusing on wildlife conservation. We train volunteers to carry out research
with a direct impact on conservation strategies in developing countries.
Our projects range from tracking elephants in Zambia to climbing trees
in the Amazon and diving on coral reefs. All training provided, including
scuba diving for marine volunteers. Living in a remote wilderness location
you will discover as much about yourself as you will about the world around
you. Marine projects Fiji, Bahamas, Malaysia, Land projects Zambia, Peru.
i TO i
Tel: 0870 333 2332, Website: www.i-to-i.com
i-to-i is a leading force in international placements offering volunteer
work and teaching placements in 19 countries worldwide. i-to-i send over
2000 volunteers to a range of 300 placements every year, working in: English
teaching, community development, journalism, business, conservation, building,
health, care work and other professions. Placements are currently available
in Australia, Bolivia, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, Ireland, Ghana, India, Mongolia, Nepal, South Africa,
South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
OUTREACH INTERNATIONAL
Tel: 01458 274957, Website: www.outreachinternational.co.uk
Volunteer projects in Mexico & Cambodia. Teaching in Coastal Schools,
Orphanages, Street Children. Dance, Art & Craft, Turtle Whale and
Coral Conservation, Eco-tourism
Working with Disabled and Special Needs Children. NGO placements in Cambodia.
Placements are suitable for volunteers who wish to fully immerse themselves
in a foreign culture for 3-6 months. £3,000 to include all flights,
insurance, language training, food & accommodation. Full in-country
support.
PROJECT TRUST
Tel: 01879 230444, Website: www.projecttrust.org.uk
12 and 8 months placements in 25 countries. Projects include: teaching
English and A level/Higher subjects, extra curricular activities, care
& orphanage work, medical projects, development work, journalism and
outdoor education. We have volunteers in Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Guyana,
Honduras, Dominican Republic, Cuba, South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia,
Mozambique, Malawi, Uganda, Mauritania, Niger, Morocco, India, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, South Korea and Japan. All volunteers
attend a 5 day selection and 5 day training course on the Isle of Coll
in the Hebrides. We also provide in country support & debriefing on
return.
QUEST OVERSEAS
Tel: 020 8673 3313, Website: www.questoverseas.com
We specialise in worthwhile projects and challenging expeditions in Africa
and South America. We have conservation & community projects in Tanzania
& Swaziland followed by a 6-week expedition through Swaziland, Mozambique,
South Africa, Botswana & Zambia. In South America we kick off with
a 3-week Spanish course in Ecuador, a month's project with children in
Peru or conservation in Ecuador, followed by a 6-week expedition through
Peru, Chile and Bolivia. We also run 'Summer Expeditions', 'University
Quest' & 'Quest Underseas.
RALEIGH INTERNATIONAL
Tel: 020 7371 8585, Website: www.raleigh.org.uk
Raleigh gives young people the chance to go on 3 month expeditions to
do challenging community, environmental and adventure projects in Borneo,
Chile, Ghana, Namibia, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. 20,000+ young people
have gone on 168 expeditions in 35 countries since 1984. Participants
are asked to fundraise to contribute to Raleigh, a registered charity.
THE SMALLPEICE TRUST
Tel: 01926 333200, Website: www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk
Thirty places each year are available on the Smallpeice Engineering Gap
Year, a seven month programme uniquely combining academic study in engineering,
design and management; language tuition at a European language school
and a chance to travel, live and work in Europe. Placements are arranged
in a variety of engineering disciplines across nine European countries.
. SPW - STUDENTS PARTNERSHIP WORLDWIDE
Tel: 020 7222 0138, Website: www.spw.org
A youth development charity recruiting 18-28 year olds to work with African
& Asian volunteers in rural communities for 4-9 months, building awareness
and changing attitudes to health, social & environmental issues. Volunteers
get 4-6 weeks training in health, hygiene, nutrition & environment,
with emphasis on HIV/AIDS awareness. Cost: £2,900-£3,300,
which includes open return flight, accommodation, basic living allowance,
insurance, in-country visa, UK briefings and general administrative support,
extensive overseas training and support.
TEACHING & PROJECTS ABROAD
Tel: 01903 859911, Website: www.teaching-abroad.co.uk
Teaching & Projects Abroad offers a complete volunteering experience
– worthwhile, adventurous and enjoyable – with first-class
back-up all over the world. You can teach English, sports and many other
subjects, or you can work in medicine, journalism/media, business, veterinary
medicine, care, community action, conservation, animal care or archaeology.
Volunteers needed in Bolivia, Chile, China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Mongolia,
Nepal, Peru, Romania, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Togo and Ukraine.
TRAVELLERS
Tel: 01903 502595 / 700478, Website: www.travellersworldwide.com
Projects run throughout the year in Argentina, Brazil, China, Cuba, Ghana,
India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Ukraine,
in Conservation (working with dolphins, elephants, orang utans, etc) or
Work Experience (eg law, journalism, medicine) and to teach disadvantaged
children conversational English or music, sport, IT, drama, maths, etc.
No qualifications required. Programmes are flexible, tailored to your
needs, and dates are scheduled to suit you. Full support and back-up provided.
TREKFORCE EXPEDITIONS
Tel: 020 7828 2275, Website: www.trekforce.org.uk
Trekforce Expeditions organise projects in Central America and East Malaysia;
concentrating on endangered rainforests and working with local communities.
Expeditions last from two to five months Our longer programmes involve
expedition work, teaching in rural communities and learning new languages
including Spanish and Malay. Come to an introduction day to find out more.
THE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
Tel: 029 2067 2500 Website: www.international-academy.com
a unique organisation that combines travel, sport and training. We provide
opportunities to pursue sporting interests and perform them to a professional
level. The courses vary from skiing and snowboarding to diving, sailing
or surfing and run for 4 to 12 weeks. All culminate in professional, worldwide
recognised instructor qualifications. Open to all standards. Start dates
vary throughout the year. course locations are: the Seychelles, Caribbean,
Canadian Rockies, Sierra Nevada - USA, Swiss Alps, New Zealand and South
America.
THE YEAR IN INDUSTRY
Tel: 0161 275 4396, Website: www.yini.org.uk
The Year in Industry is a tried and tested way of enabling high calibre
students to work in industry during a gap year. Work is real, challenging
and paid (students currently earn min. £140 pw). Business training
provided as part of package. No registration fee but competition for places
is stiff.
VENTURECO
Tel: 01926 411122, Website: www.ventureco-worldwide.com
VentureCo offer 4-month programmes that combine learning the language
and living the culture (1 month) with voluntary work on a community or
environmental aid project (1 month) with an expedition of exploration
(2 months). Teams consist of 16 Venturers plus 2 guides. “Gap Year”
departures for school leavers and “Career Gap” departures,
minimum age 21. Ventures run in South America, Central America, West Africa,
the Himalayas (both India and Nepal) Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and China.
YEAR OUT DRAMA
Tel: 01789 266245, Website: www.yearoutdrama.com
Year Out Drama provides an exciting, challenging, intensive, practical
Drama Course, led by experts in professionally equipped performance spaces.
The course enjoys close links with the RSC and students benefit from working
with theatre professionals from varying disciplines, including Acting
Techniques, Voice, Movement, Directing, Text Study and Performance. Students
perform at the Edinburgh Festival.
Other Programmes and Courses
We have also put together an additional list of
organisations and companies who are not part of ‘The Year Out Group’
but who offer some very interesting and diverse activities.
Camp America: summer camp work
in North America (020 7581 7373), Website www.campamerica.co.uk
CCUSA: camp counsellors USA is
another way of finding yourself work on a camp for the summer (020 8688
9051), Website www.campcounselors.com
EF International Languages: learn
a language, travel, and learn to teach English (08707 200735), Website
www.ef.com
Gapwork.com: information on a
variety of jobs, from being an Ibiza holiday rep to a truck driver (0113
274 0252), Website www.gapwork.com
Global Vision International:
placements with environmentalists and educators who are working towards
sustainable solutions throughout the world, Website www.gvi.co.uk
International Academy: for sports
enthusiasts, who can pursue their sport to a professional level (029 2067
2500)
Internships: database of internships
available, especially in the USA, Website www.internships.com
Internships USA: directory of
over 3,000 organisations in the USA offering internships, Website www.internships-usa.com
JET Programme: for graduates
wanting to teach English in Japan (020 7465 6668), Website www.jetprogramme.org
Madventurer: placements in Africa
and South America, including sports coaching and medicine (0845 121 1996),
Website www.madventurer.com
VSO: all kinds of projects to
help the developing world (020 8780 7254), Website www.vso.org.uk
