SUSSEX DOWNS COLLEGE CREATIVE MEDIA PRODUCTION
GAP YEAR? The time of your life
Casey teaching in Honduras
E
ver wanted to see what life is like abroad? Why not take a gap year? This is a great way to visit all those places you see on the TV: Australia, America, Africa, Asia. All these fantastic places are only a plane trip away. Yeah, sure you can go on holiday, but why not experience places off the beaten track? When on a gap year you will have one of the best times of your life! Experiencing the culture of the less developed nations is something well worth doing. You can help with sports coaching, working with children and conservation projects - while exploring the amazing country you are staying in. There are many things you can do when you are there to enhance your CV or just for the experience. For example, coaching football in Rio de Janeiro, teaching English in Zanzibar or conservation projects in Nepal. There are endless opportunities for volunteer work around the world. There are things to bear in mind however. Most importantly it is a volunteer placement which means you
Image courtesy of Project Trust www.projecttrust.org.uk
will not be paid for the work you do. Also you need to think of insurance costs, flights and accommodation if it is not provided. You will be travelling all over the world so look at the countries you plan to visit to see if there is anything that may stop you from going. Check your passport expiration date, as some countries like
It all sounds incredible but you also need to think about the cost of it. It is no good going off on a gap year with only a few hundred pounds. It all comes down to where you are going, how long you are going there for and what you will do there. The best thing to do is try and get a part time job when you are abroad for a long time. This will allow you the time to do the things you want but will also give you some cash to spend on things while you’re there. A gap year will be one of the highlights of your life. So if you are going to do it research the place and things you will be doing to enable you to have a fantastic, safe time.
Alice helps out at a Kenyan school
the USA will only let you in if you have six months or more left on your passport. Also make sure you have the right visas for your trip. It sounds silly but also check the currency of the country you are visiting. Some places like Serbia will only exchange currency inside the country. WRITTEN BY SAM MUNTON • DESIGNED BY SAM SINCLAIR
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