Gap year projects are most commonly known as the domain of young free and single school leavers taking a break from studying before they launch into their university life. But in fact, anyone can take a gap year. It doesn’t have to be from study; it can be from your job, your family, your kids, or just generally your life, and learning about gap year projects will give you a great excuse to start planning one. So just who are these people heading off to work on gap year projects?

In Betweeners

As mentioned above, the “in betweeners”, those between study in high school and university, are the most popular gappers. After spending two-thirds of your life at school, no one could blame you for wanting to take some time out before committing to another four or five years at university. Travelling overseas to work on gap year projects in wildlife conservation is a wonderful way to see the world, but also know that you are doing valuable work to save endangered species. There will be plenty of hard work but plenty of fun as well and you may even wish to pursue a career in animal conservation once you have a taste for it.

Mid Life Crisis

If you hate your job, hate your life, feel unfulfilled and are approaching middle age; chances are you’re having a mid life crisis! One of the best ways to get out of your rut is to head off to exotic foreign lands to work on gap year projects. There are plenty of people out there taking an adult gap year, so you won’t be alone and you will get just as much, if not more, out of it at this time of your life. After a few weeks spent in the great outdoors assisting on conservation projects you will feel healthy, invigorated and able to see your life in a new perspective. It could be the start of a whole new career, or just an opportunity for a well-earned break from your life.

Empty Nesters

You’ve just waved your last teenager off to start their new life as an adult and now you’re wondering how you’re going to fill your days. No more ferrying them to parties and part time jobs; no more mountains of laundry overflowing from the basket; and no more daily trips to the supermarket to replenish the ever-dwindling pantry stocks. Now is the ideal time to head off and have an adventure that’s just for you! Short of shaving your head, getting a tattoo, selling the house and heading off on a motorbike around Australia; there’s no better way to shake off the cobwebs and take your mind off your solace than signing up for gap year projects. You will meet lots of young enthusiastic gappers and be helping the conservation of some beautiful animals along the way. Not only will you regain your feelings of usefulness, you will also have loads to talk about with your own children when they come home on holidays; a parent working on gap year projects will take on a whole new cool factor with your kids and their friends.

Author Bio: Mark Bottell is the General Manager for Worldwide Experience, an online tour operator offering extended breaks on gap year projects and other adventurous holidays for adults.

Category: Travel
Keywords: gap year projects