April 30, 2009
Different people have different motives for taking a gap year. People might tell you reasons why you should volunteer abroad, but you may have your own reasons.
There are some people who have a very strong sense of what they want to achieve. They may have a specific project in mind and they may want to set themselves apart in the jobs market on their return. These people tend to have specific work in mind that will bolster their CV.
Other people might just be intrigued about their destination. You could characterise these people as ‘explorers’. They want to see the world and find things out for themselves. When travelling, they may try and culturally immerse themselves by steering clear of the more popular tourist areas. Volunteering abroad is a great option for these people as they can spend some time living in one place and get more of a feel for a country as a result.
The most common reason given for volunteering abroad is to do some good, but this isn’t necessarily people’s true feelings. More often volunteers are just young people who want to do something different and have some fun. It’s only after they’ve done the work that they become interested in the ethical side of things and start to think about the worth of what they’ve done.
April 27, 2009
In part one, we looked into the costs associated with spending a gap year in South-East Asia. In this second part, we’ll consider the risks associated with working and travelling in the region.
No place in the world is 100% safe. The key is to gauge what risks are associated with any particular destination and try and address them as best you can.
Obviously some places are safer than others and the majority of South-East Asia is not a bad place to start if this is perhaps your first time away on your own. Countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia have been well-visited by backpackers for many years. There are well-worn routes through these places, meaning they’re well set-up to cater for tourists, with restaurants, places to stay and medical facilities.
There are major health considerations for people visiting the area. Malaria, dengue fever and other tropical diseases can be contracted, so it’s important you speak to your doctor and get all the necessary inoculations before travelling, as well as anti-malarial drugs. It’s also worth taking a first aid kit with you.
The risks associated with travelling in South-East Asia are minor compared to many other regions and you will be sure to have a great time on a gap year there.
April 24, 2009
Whether you’re considering teaching English in Thailand or working at a bear sanctuary in Cambodia, South-East Asia is a great destination for a gap year. Two major issues you’ll need to weigh up when considering a gap year in this area - or indeed in any area - are the costs and the risks. In this article, we’ll look into the first of those.
If you’re backpacking, one of the great benefits of South-East Asia is how much it will cost you. In most countries in the region, you can eat for as little as £3 or £4 a day, transport is far more affordable than it is in the UK and you can spend a night in a perfectly reasonable hotel in Cambodia for only about £4.
Obviously it’s a great distance away, so you may be spending more on your flights, but if you book in advance, you can still get good deals. You’ll also need to consider visas, but these are usually quite affordable for most countries.
In part two, we’ll look into the risks associated with taking a gap year in South-East Asia.
April 15, 2009
As you may have seen on the news, there has been some civic unrest in Bangkok. The situation does now seem to be returning to normal and the protesters have dispersed.
PoD is continuing to monitor the situation closely through our staff and contacts in Thailand as well as through the British Embassy in Bangkok.
All volunteer placements are running as normal and we are advising volunteers to continue with their placements as planned.
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
April 14, 2009
As you may have seen on the news, there is currently some civic unrest in Bangkok.
PoD is monitoring the situation closely through our staff and contacts in Thailand as well as through the British Embassy in Bangkok.
All volunteer placements are running as normal and we are currently advising volunteers to continue with their placements as planned. However, volunteers should avoid staying in Bangkok and we can assist with any required changes to travel plans.
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). The current advice is: “We advise against all but essential travel to Bangkok. British nationals should also review travel plans to other parts of Thailand.”
We hope that the situation will be resolved as quickly and peacefully as possible.
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Alex Tarrant, PoD Director
April 13, 2009
The previous article described how to weigh up the benefits of taking a gap year and gave advice as to how to choose a suitable project and destination.
Having established what you’re going to do, the next step is to organise things. Many companies offer organised trips incorporating work on a particular project and this can take a great deal of hassle out of the planning process or perhaps you want to organise it all yourself. Even if you take advantage of an organised trip, there’ll still be a great deal of personal planning involved.
A gap year, by its nature, necessitates a lot of independence and this begins long before you go away. You need to decide what to take, organise cash and visas and arrange any relevant inoculations you might need.
There’s a great deal to consider while you’re away as well. Try and educate yourself about local customs as this can make life a great deal easier during your stay and can help you avoid offending people through innocent actions that may be offensive in another culture. It’s also advisable to find out about where you’re staying as well, as there may be some safety issues that need to be considered.
Having completed your gap year, there is still much to consider. There’s no point experiencing something like this if you don’t reflect on your experiences afterwards. Assess how it has affected you and reflect on what you may have learnt. The experience may have a greater impact on you than you might expect.
April 9, 2009
Before embarking on a gap year, there are a number of things that you ought to consider. A gap year is a considerable commitment and you will be devoting a great deal of time to it, so it warrants some thought.
First of all, what do you construe by the term ‘gap year’? Is it actually going to be a year? During the time you’re away, how much time is going to be devoted to voluntary work and how much to travelling and exploring the country or countries that you’re going to be visiting?
Next you need to do some investigation. Research the places that you might like to visit and find out what projects are on offer. Perhaps you’ll want to do it the other way round, finding the right project first and then finding out about your destination. You’ll also need to think about what you’ll need while you’re away. Consider the climate and any health issues that might need addressing. If you’re going to a tropical country, there’s a good chance you’ll need inoculations and anti-malarial medication.
In the next article, we’ll discuss how to organise a gap year and what needs to be considered while you’re away.
