Gap Year Volunteering

A volunteering gap year can be a fantastic experience that you will remember for the rest of your life, and here’s the ‘but’ – you need to prepare thoroughly to ensure you pick the right activity, and don't disrupt volunteer projects by backing out or leaving early.

Choosing the right voluntary project is the first step. If you follow traditional route, you will need to find a good, specialist, gap year organisation to arrange your volunteer project. Finally, checking all the dull but essential formalities should be central to your preparation.

In recent years, the actual contribution of the work carried out by some gap year volunteer projects has been brought into question, the usual allegation being that the more unscrupulous companies push the projects that will get the most bookings, even if the impact of what the volunteers do is limited or even detrimental. This is highly debatable and certainly not a reason to discount the idea, there are a great many fantastic companies, but it is a reason to do your homework and ask the right questions before you book.

The key is to approach a wide range of organisations and look into their company values, experience and support networks. Next to some of the placements listed in this section you will see a link to a ‘company profile’ where one has been submitted. Here you can read into the organisations core values and get some background information. You will also find a link to their website where you can usually find first hand accounts from volunteers. This should be the absolute minimum research you do. The point is to pick a volunteer project that suits your needs and abilities, do your research, and to go into it without the rose tinted specs on.

Latest volunteer projects

NGO Teaching
placement
"Magic Books" Project in Cusco

What is this project about?  The cultural project "Magic Books", through its volunteer project, has as its main objective to encourage and promote cul

Peru
Peru
  • NA
  • Provided
NGO Sustainable Living
placement
Sustainable Living Project Ecuador

20 minutes away by car from the beach, deliciously healthy food and a tropical mild climate. This experience is perfect for those who want to discover

Ecuador
Ecuador
  • NA
  • Provided
NGO Farming
placement
Yoga Retreat and Organic Farming Columbia

You will be volunteering in the San Gil, Colombia, getting first-hand experience on how to live in harmony with nature and cultivate an alternative an

Colombia
Colombia
  • NA
  • Provided

Featured Gap Year Organisers

Gap Year Video Channel

EA Ski Snowboard's Packing Guide

This video show's you what to pack on your winter season. For more information, follow this link https://goo.gl/pNV9cU

Watch video
Alice teaching in Nepal

This is a great example of what volunteers can achieve in lessons when they use their initiative. The work has been generated by cutting up the Oyster brochure and getting the kids to make stories from the pictures.

Watch video
Welcome to Oyster

Giving you an introduction to Oyster and all that we offer.

Watch video
Amazon Jungle Camp

Provide essential support to research projects on the precious flora and fauna of the Amazon jungle in Peru!

Watch video
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