With university fees in the UK at an all-time high and job markets around the world in a time of great instability, why not look to put stability back into your life with a gap year volunteering abroad?
Volunteering is becoming much more popular with every year that goes past. Many more people are now leaving school and college and opting for a gap year abroad due the lack of opportunities in the current job market and the fees and university on the increase. Many people are left with no alternatives and are forced to look abroad for an opportunity to progress in life. A gap year doesn't mean you travel to Australia and sit on the beach for an entire year, unless of course you want to waste this opportunity. It means 'broadening your mind' and experiencing something completely new!
Africa seems to be all the rage at the moment with volunteer projects ranging from working with HIV/AIDS victims in outreach centers across the continent to working closely with research scientists in some of Africa's most famous game parks. There are volunteering opportunities for everyone as there are very few requirements you have to meet to be eligible to take part in a volunteering project abroad. By giving yourself the opportunity to work abroad on your gap year you are opening up many different paths in your life, paths which previously weren't open to you. Not only does this give you a clearer idea of what you might want to do with your life in the future it also helps you get on the job ladder when you return back home.
Employers are always on the lookout for a CV with a difference and yours is certainly likely to show that after your gap year. By an employer seeing you have taken time out of your life at home to work abroad on your gap year as a volunteer they can see you are not money motivated but you are looking for ways to further education, and this is something they real take a liking too. A worthwhile volunteer project on your gap year should certainly help you get your CV to the top of the pile and hopefully that job offer you have been waiting for.
Gap years are not just all work and no play however. You are out in Africa, so you may as well make the most of it and see as much of it as you can. There are many magical sites to see and many adventurous activities to take part in such as the opportunity to climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Opportunities like this don't present them to you every day so snap it up whilst you can and see what the world has to offer you.
Whilst on your gap year treat yourself to a Tanzania safari or a Zambia safari. After all a gap year isn't all about working, you have to take time out to experience Africa as well.
