To some, spending a few months working their hearts out on gap year projects before knuckling down to university, can actually be the catalyst for a whole direction in their lives. Once they’ve tasted the freedom and excitement of working long but rewarding hours in the great outdoors in an exotic foreign country, past dreams of a cushy desk job and a plush office in the city have all but disappeared in a puff of elephant dung. But for others, the experience of their gap year projects, mending fences, cleaning out animal cages and sleeping in basic accommodation with not too many of the comforts of home, is a wonderful memory but not a future way of life. Still others come home from their time abroad with a new enthusiasm for their chosen career, satisfied that they are heading in the right direction.

So, as you calm the butterflies in your tummy, pack your bags, wave goodbye to your family and head off on your gap year projects; consider what you may want to do when you come back to your real life…

Medical Student turns Vet

We’ve all met the straight ‘A’ super-brain whose parents have them all mapped out to be a doctor. They study hard, get great grades and are excited about their long and happy future career in medicine. But what happens when they spend a few months working on one of those animal conservation gap year projects and find they have more affinity with four-legged and furry patients than the two-legged variety? Luckily, all that talent and brain-power won’t go to waste and they can switch courses and reapply for a Veterinary Science degree instead.

Accountant turns Game Ranger

Now, let’s face it, accountants tend to get a pretty bad rap. They seem to be the butt of many a joke but, in reality, accountancy is a good honest profession which one no-one should be ashamed of. But many people drift into it simply because they are unsure of what they really wan to do and it represents a stable career-path. But what happens if you set off to, let’s say, one of the many South African gap year projects and are suddenly faced with your dream job – one you didn’t even know existed? Deciding you want to become a Game Ranger is one of those gap year projects revelations that really do change lives. If you fall in love with the world of wildlife, all thoughts of long division and tax returns go out the window. The good news is that once your volunteering project is over, you can add a six-week Game Ranger Training programme on to the end of your stay and go home fully accredited. Then it’s just a matter of working out how long you’ll have to save in order to come back to South Africa! Lucky you’re good with numbers…

Teacher turns….Teacher

Gap year projects aren’t all about animal conservation and if you’re planning on a career in teaching, chances are the project you choose will be one working with children in an overseas community abroad. Opportunities to assist local teachers working with underprivileged children will only serve to whet your appetite and, far from changing your mind about your future career in education, you will be fired up to get in and get qualified so you can return as a fully-fledged teacher and continue this wonderful work.

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

Category: Travel
Keywords: gap year projects