August 29, 2009
Volunteering on a gap year or during a working holiday can be one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences you will ever go through.
But one of the most popular projects to volunteer for is one in Cambodia.
Bear rescue involves caring for over 90 rescued bears at a bear sanctuary near Phnom Penh. The bears are a mix of sun bears and black bears which have been rescued from poachers, the black market and businesses who are using them for entertainment.
During this project, it is your job to feed the bears, look after their environment, clean the enclosures and carry out maintenance.
This is a unique opportunity where you not only get to experience what it is like to live and work in Cambodia, but you get to help some animals who are in desperate need of care.
The best thing about these projects is that they are accessible to anyone. You don’t need to be an expert in animal care, or indeed know anything about it in order to apply. You simply need to be willing, enthusiastic and fit. And of course an interest in wildlife and conservation does help.
August 25, 2009
Whether you’re looking for some time out of a mundane office job, or you have just finished school and fancy taking a year out, a personal overseas development trip might be just what you are looking for.
With one of these trips, you volunteer to help out on a project of your choice. This can be anything from teaching English overseas, to taking part in a wildlife mission.
Some of the countries that you can travel to under these development schemes are absolutely spectacular and not only will you learn more about yourself and the world, but you will get to visit some of the most beautiful areas on the planet.
One such area is Thailand which is located in the centre of South East Asia. Here, you can volunteer to teach English to Thai children, take part in a wildlife rescue or marine conservation or you could get involved in elephant care.
Projects in Thailand can be completed in one to four weeks and they take place on some islands off the South East coast, or at the animal rescue centre inland of Hua-Hin, or in Bangkok.
Because there is so much to explore in Thailand and the surrounding areas, it is usually advisable that you continue to travel after the project in finished to achieve the most enriching experience.
August 18, 2009
Your gap year is a fantastic way for you to experience the world, be it through working, volunteering, backpacking or just generally exploring different countries around the world, such as Thailand in Asia, Tanzania in Africa, or Peru in South America. To be prepared for your gap year experience there’s plenty of supplies you’ll need to take with you such as the following:
- A money belt worn around the neck or waist will help to keep your essential documents and all important cash safe from all eventualities.
- Maps, phrasebooks and guidebooks might weigh your backpack down but they will also save you from hours of wandering around lost trying to overcome the language barriers.
- Swiss army knives are always handy to have around for when you’re in a tight spot, though be sure not to carry them in your hand luggage.
- Torches are highly useful in countries where there might not be constant electricity or if you’re planning on spending some time hiking.
- Appropriate clothing such as the lightweight but resilient offerings from Montane.
Consider where you’re going and pack accordingly.
August 16, 2009
After several years in the office, we all need a break.
Of course, there’s the annual trip abroad for a week. A time to relax, recharge the batteries and explore another corner of the world.
But sometimes this isn’t enough. In fact, many people feel like they need more time to see a bit more of the world and broaden their horizons. We all need to see something different from the inside of those four office walls.
But there aren’t many people that can afford to simply pack up their bags and leave for a few months. However, a working holiday is the perfect option for those wanting to get away and see a bit more of the world.
With a working holiday, you can take time for the working holiday or ethical holiday and join a voluntary work programme of support and development.
Trips can vary and you can end up in Belize working at the zoo or Nepal, working with child care and teaching.
Whichever working holiday you choose, you will be sure to find it rewarding and enjoyable. You can experience some of the most interesting areas of the world and help some important causes at the same time. What more could you want?
August 11, 2009
All those years slogging away at school. It has finally come to an end. You’re free! …Well, for six weeks at least.
And then it’s off to uni for another three years of getting your nose stuck into a book, gluing your eyes to the laptop and getting your head down.
The idea is enough to send you running to the nearest airport just to get away from the pressure. But there is a way out of this pressure cooker.
Taking a gap year has become a popular phenomenon in recent years. More and more students are taking a year out before they go off to university, in order to travel and discover a bit more of the world than the IT room at school.
But one of the most rewarding ways to complete a gap year is by volunteering. You can opt for a range of programmes ranging from one week to six months in duration. And you can volunteer to visit some of the most amazing areas of the world and to help with important projects being carried out in these countries. Go to Indonesia and get involved in wildlife rescue or Thailand, for some marine conservation. You can even opt for Vietnam and work with street children and orphanages.
Whatever you choose to do, it will certainly be a learning curve. And it beats the IT room any day.
August 4, 2009
You’ve been in that daily grind for a few years now. Every morning you join the rat race to work and come home time, you’re stuck in it again. The beeping horns, the traffic fumes and the hours wasted trying to get home is enough to send anyone mad.
And there comes a time when a holiday just doesn’t cut the mustard. It’s time for a career break.
Volunteering abroad is the perfect way to get away from it all. Whilst developing your skills and life experience, you can make a real difference as well as getting to see some incredible parts of the world.
You can choose anything from a one week to six month programme. And you can choose to make a difference to people, animals and the environment. You can apply your existing skills to your volunteer work or you can opt to develop new skills in a completely new challenge.
With more and more people suffering from the stress associated with our hectic lifestyles, a career break can provide the ideal answer. It’s the chance to take some time out of your work life, enjoy a different environment and fulfil a once in a lifetime opportunity.
