Volunteer projects are a brilliant opportunity to be a responsible tourist and make a positive contribution to places you visit on your gap year or career break. It's all too easy to forget how privileged many of us in the western world are to be able to round the world - and volunteer projects give you the chance to give up just some of your time whilst you're away in order to help those less fortunate than yourself.
One of the great things about volunteer projects is that they're also very much a mutually beneficial two way process. Travellers who get involved with volunteer projects benefit from the experience just as much as the people or particular project they're helping. For example volunteer projects provide travellers with a far more `real' and authentic travel experience by enabling them to immerse themselves in local culture. There's no better way of getting to know a country and its people than by working alongside local people on a daily basis - something that's an essential aspect of working on volunteer projects.
Although volunteer projects can undoubtedly be hard work and quite challenging at times it's important to stress that they can also be a great deal of fun. As well as local people volunteer projects are also an excellent place for meeting other like-minded travellers. Working on volunteer projects tends to really bring people together and the post-work social life is usually superb. Indeed the majority of travellers return home from volunteer projects having forged life-long friendships.
GYFGU's has an incredibly diverse range of volunteer projects to choose from and it's important to spend a decent amount of time considering which volunteer project most suits you as an individual. Which volunteer projects to choose from will obviously largely depend on where you're going to be travelling on your gap year or career break. However it's equally important to choose a volunteer project that you're particularly interested in or passionate about. The best source of detailed information for volunteer projects is the Gap Year for Grown Ups website. However if you're prefer to discuss the numerous different options for volunteer projects with someone in person you can always to speak to a GYFGU's travel adviser (many of whom have volunteered at some point themselves).
It's impossible to adequately summarise all of GYFGU's volunteer projects on one web page (there are just too many of them)! Broadly speaking, however, volunteer projects generally fall within three main categories…
Volunteer projects allow travellers to help disadvantaged people or communities. Examples of this type of volunteer project include providing support to AIDS victims in Africa and street kids in Latin America.
If you're passionate about the environment there are plenty of options to choose from - for example the Conservation Volunteer Australia programme Down Under.
Volunteer projects with wildlife are a superb opportunity to work closely with some amazing animals throughout the world and do something worthwhile at the same time.
This academy offers one of the best environments around the globe to be trained in this historic martial art. Situated at the foot of the Mountains of the Fujian Province, South East China, you will study directly from some of the best Masters to be found in China.
Learn to sail, in paradise. Start from scratch or build on what you know to gain one of three certificates. Hands-on experience, expert theory tuition and onboard accommodation make for a comprehensive programme. Minimum age 10 years.
A chance to try some new sports. Learn to surf and kite surf, go white water rafting and take a forest canopy tour. A sunset cruise and Spanish lessons make for the perfect short adventure!
A never-to-be forgotten cruise on a tall ship around the Great Barrier Reef, with the chance to snorkel, swim and discover the area. Learn the basics of sailing or just relax and soak up the sun.
Learn to sail, in paradise. Start from scratch or build on what you know to gain one of three certificates. Hands-on experience, expert theory tuition and onboard accommodation make for a comprehensive programme. Minimum age 10 years.
Janet Horsley had an incredible time on her tailor-made gap year, blazing a trail through Africa, Asia, Australia and Latin America, read her story here.
Gap Year for Grown Ups provide career breaks, volunteer work abroad and adventure travel options for grown up gappers.
If you are looking to become a golden gapper on a grown up gap year, Gap Year for Grown Ups is the leading authority and only specialist source of
ideas and options for an adult gap year.
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