If you want to take a gap year out from your studies or you feel like you are in a rut in your professional life and you want to rediscover the world, then undertaking a conservation project in South Africa or India might be just the eye opener you need.

To Gap Year or Not to Gap Year?

Aside from the benefits that your two hands can give to those in need, getting involved in some of these projects rewards you personally too. Most people discover skills they never knew they had and learn more about themselves than in the previous 12 years of schooling combined when they undertake these projects. In fact, you may even discover your future career path.

There are different kinds of projects that you can become involved with on your gap year; from conservation of wildlife and the environment to social projects. There is a wide variety of projects in both countries and you can even come away from the experience with real qualifications on top of a host of memorable experiences. In many cases you are able to combine conservation work with social projects nearby to have an all round experience while visiting these countries.

Gapping it in India

In India there are several conservation projects around Goa in the south of the country for gap year students. In this area there has been fast population growth, which has seen a lot of deforestation and land degradation occur. You can become involved with tree planting, working on model farms that teach local villagers sustainable farming practices; or get to know some of the local endangered species at rehabilitation centres. In other areas of the country there are projects set up to protect native animals from poaching. One of the Indian animals that has fallen victim to poaching and is now a member of the critically endangered animal family is the Bengal tiger. This glamour puss has only about 1000 breeding females in the wild, so helping to protect this big cat is in code red stage.

South Africa Gap Year Experiences

In South Africa you can get a game ranger qualification while getting involved in conservation work. During the course of the qualification program you will learn all about different aspects of being a game ranger, and get to know the “big five” African mammals along with plenty of other residents of the wild kind. Some of the projects that are available for conservation field work include looking after orphaned animals, feeding and caring for reserve game animals, park maintenance, counting heads, assisting with veterinary care and much more.

Social projects that you might like to become involved with while on a gap year project in India or South Africa include teaching English in local schools, and assisting with literacy and numeracy skills. There are lots of children in remote areas of both countries who are underprivileged and receive little education. The time you give to them could make all the difference to their futures. There are also health and AIDS awareness campaigns underway in many local villages where you may be assisting medical staff with immunisations or other health care.

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

Category: Travel
Keywords: gap year