November 30, 2008
You only have to glance at a newspaper or switch on your television to know that the credit crunch is gripping Britain and causing financial hardship for much of the population. However, there is another trend which is affecting many young adults and that is the “career crunch”.
Recently, the findings of the Training and Development Agency suggested that up to one quarter of graduates who embark on a gap year straight after leaving university worry about becoming less employable after a gap year.
Yet three quarters of people who take a gap year after leaving university find the right career first time. This should not be forgotten and in fact should be celebrated - if you consider the population as a whole, then this figure reinforces the beneficial nature of gap years in making long term career choices.
It is imperative however that gap years are structured and planned out well in advance to ensure the benefits of them and it is this which does let some graduates down. Well researched and tailored gap years can give graduates a remarkable advantage in terms of their CVs and in conveying good all round education, which is highly sought after in the workplace.
It is therefore essential that you spend some time thinking about what you want to get out of your gap year. Make sure that you plan ahead to ensure that you gain all the experience and benefits which will place you at a distinct advantage in the working environment.
November 27, 2008
A group of political protesters has occupied Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International airport since Tuesday 25th November, causing most outgoing and incoming flights to be cancelled.
PoD is monitoring the situation closely through our contacts in Bangkok as well as through the British Embassy in Thailand.
If you are volunteering with PoD and due to fly to Thailand in the next 1-2 weeks you should contact your airline for further information.
Aside from travel disruptions due to anyone travelling in the next 1-2 weeks, all volunteer placements are running as normal. We hope that the situation will be resolved quickly and that the airport will return to normal operation.
We recommend keeping up to date with the latest British government advice - please click here for the FCO website guidance on Thailand (www.fco.gov.uk).
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Alex Tarrant, PoD Director
November 25, 2008
If you are thinking of volunteering abroad as part of your gap year, then one thing you should obtain is comprehensive travel insurance. Different companies will offer you different levels of insurance and this is something which you should be aware of before setting off on your travels. One of the best ideas is to sit down and think about your trip and the sort of cover which you think will be appropriate to you.
Obviously you will want to cover your possessions from loss or damage and this represents the most standard form of insurance. This should also cover items such as bank cards and credit cards as well as actual cash.
In addition to this, it is advisable to cover yourself in terms of legal expenses and personal liability, as you never know when this might be needed.
Finally, many people who choose to take a gap year eagerly anticipate the chance to take part in extreme sports and if this is the case then it is imperative that you determine whether any potential medical bills are covered on your insurance as in many cases this does not come as standard.
Fully insuring yourself before your trip not only covers you in case something does go wrong, but it also gives you the confidence and peace of mind to enjoy your adventure to the full.
November 20, 2008
There are many reasons which could lead you into considering a gap year. Many of these will be personal to your own situation and therefore it is difficult to provide a comprehensive profile of the kind of person that may be.
However, there are many common factors in terms of why people opt to take a gap year and one of the most popular is when someone is looking for a change of direction in their life. Many people enter the workplace in the morning, conduct their routine tasks and leave, like clockwork. Their days almost merge into one and are devoid of any creativity or excitement.
Some people appreciate the benefits of this type of work, yet for others the grass certainly does look a great deal greener on the other side. A career change is a serious decision and therefore it is important that you consider every aspect of it – both the positives and the negatives.
Conducting a gap year, within Thailand or Cambodia for example, will give you the time to consider all of your options whilst also doing something worthwhile. You will invigorate both the mind and the senses and make a genuine contribution to a community at the same time.
November 19, 2008
If you’re thinking of doing some volunteer work abroad, one place you might like to consider is Nepal and specifically the town of Pokhara.
Pokhara is a popular tourist town thanks to its location in the Himalayas. Situated on the shores of a lake, it is a great base for walkers. There are great trekking trails and spectacular mountains all around and thousands of visitors spend a few days walking before returning to relax by the lake. Because of this, tourism is the major industry in town and an ability to speak English is a huge advantage for locals in terms of getting a job.
The work placements in the area address this. Volunteers tend to either be teaching English to groups of schoolchildren or helping at child care centres. While English is the primary focus for teaching positions, you could be called on to help in other subjects as well, such as sport or music. Similarly, child care work will incorporate teaching responsibilities as well as general childcare, cleaning and the preparing of meals.
Whether you’re taking a gap year or just want to do something worthwhile when visiting Nepal, volunteering in Pokhara is a fun and rewarding thing to do.
November 17, 2008
Many people think that volunteering abroad is just something that gap year students do, but that really isn’t the case.
Certainly a large proportion of overseas volunteers are young people who are taking a year out from their studies and who are making the most of that opportunity by taking part in a project overseas. However, it’s increasingly common for older people to seek voluntary work as well.
Different people have different circumstances, so there are work placements of different durations available. Increasing numbers of people are able to take career breaks and these people might want to spend six months working on something. Alternatively, they might want to travel around during their time away from work, in which case they might only be able to commit to a shorter placement.
There are also people who want to contribute to something worthwhile as part of a different kind of holiday, in which case they will only be working for a couple of weeks. These people are also more likely to be part of a couple or a group, so this is taken into account as well.
The point is, there is overseas voluntary work available for anybody who wishes to spend some time in a developing country, helping local communities, whether they are students or already working. In many cases more mature volunteers are desirable, as they often have more specific skills to offer to a project.
November 15, 2008
As part of a gap year trip to Cambodia, whether you are working privately or volunteering, you must take some time to visit some of magical sights which the country has to offer.
Many people will point to the fact that the temples of Angkor are the sight which every visitor to the country has to see. However Cambodia boasts an eclectic range of natural and historic points of interest which are worth further exploration.
In the capital of Phnom Penh for example, a vast array of pagodas can be found as well as fascinating museums and serene natural areas which are unblemished by the hustle and bustle of the city.
The Rattanakiri province bordering Vietnam and Laos is also a must-see location in terms of its natural brilliance and cultural diversity. Home to a unique indigenous culture, the area which is located in the far north-east of the country is largely untouched. Banlung is the provincial capital and is a great place to set up camp and explore the surrounding regions.
Finally, an exploration of tourist sights within Cambodia would not be complete without a trip to Kompong Som (otherwise known as Sihanoukville). Situated around 230km to the south west of Phnom Penh, the serene coastal area is one of the country’s premier tourist destinations.
Cambodia has a wealth of history and natural beauty to offer and it is advised that you schedule some time during your gap year to appreciate this fully.
November 11, 2008
Percentage-wise, more girls than boys are achieving the highest grades when it comes to exam results and thanks to new research we can now say that females are in the majority when it comes to taking gap year placements as well.
Year Out Group has concluded that 56% of placements and a striking 66% of volunteer schemes are filled by females. The research was conducted looking at those people who decide to conduct a gap year before they started their university studies. It is widely recognised that the life skills which are nurtured by these programmes significantly benefit individuals both during their studies and also in the job market.
Indeed, many university tutors have emphasised the benefits of gap years, assuming of course that they are well structured and planned out in advance. It is true that those students who opt to take a year out not only enjoy lifelong experiences, but also return to their studies refreshed and far more independent than those who have gone straight to university after completing their A-levels.
Yet by far the most important factor associated with a successful gap year is the confidence that results from successfully completing a wide ranging challenge. This self belief stays with individuals forever and generates academic and employment related success in the future.
