Types of gap year
You could go and work teaching or brushing up on a sport for your GAP year. GSA allows you to do just that in football and boxing. Because of its strong ties with Ghana 's football academies, GAP Sports Abroad has given its volunteers exposure to some of Africa 's finest talent. And while volunteers are experiencing the coaching opportunity of their lifetime, they will also be addressing the importance of sports development in third-world communities.
Many organisations conducting research in remote and exotic locations recruit people on a GAP year or year out to help and contribute. You might choose from saving endangered wildlife, protecting threatened environments or aiding in the provision of vital ecological data. Many providers allow you to gain qualifications along the way (such as PADI diving tickets).
From hospitals to orphanages, during a caring or medical GAP year you will usually be helping out with the extra things that full time staff do not have time to add, and that make a real difference to peoples lives. You may be working with people rehabilitating from drug addiction or helping out in homes for abused children so going into it with a mature and open mind is essential. Use the search options to the right to find caring and medical volunteer placements abroad.
Many areas in the world have a serious need for volunteer and native speaking English teachers in their schools. There is lots of scope for voluntary teachers, though many schools have all the modern conveniences, often state schools receive very little funding and are short on materials and the teachers to use them – so volunteers are normally very welcome. There are also paid jobs available all over the world for English teachers.