Career Break/ Gap Year

If you are contemplating taking some time out between jobs, school or just looking for a completely different type of holiday, then you should give some serious thought to a break volunteering somewhere.  The minimum stay is normally 2 weeks and once you start looking for your perfect trip, you will be spoilt for choice.  Check out www.thecareerbreaksite.com for a comprehensive list of organisations specialising in this field.

Whatever your reasons for taking some time out, you can’t fail to have fun whilst doing something worthwhile but you must put the time in before hand to choose a project that suits you perfectly.  The following basics should be used as a guide to help you select the project that suits you.
What kind of project is it?  Animal, people or community based. If you only want to work with animals then don’t choose one that has teaching or community work and don’t choose something like shark monitoring if you don’t want to spend every day in the water. 
What kind of work suits you?  Find out how busy the project will be and whether it offers hands on experience.  
Where will it be based?  This doesn’t just mean the country but where exactly.  Rural or town location, rainforest, jungle or bush?  If you want a lively time then somewhere more rural might not be what you had in mind, conversely, you could wake up listening to the sound of lions roaring and monkeys scampering across your roof. 
Is the accommodation shared, tented or do you have your own room?  Does this suit you?  Do you need your own space or can you adapt to communal living? 
Will you have to cook for yourselves?  If so, make sure you can cook at least one thing which will help out your other house mates and ensure you contribute to the housework. 
When is the best time to go?  Research what the weather will be like in your chosen country. Generally,  the warmer the country or time of year, the more bugs and insects will be about. Winters vary greatly from country to country and does not necessarily mean rain or snow.
What do you want to get out of it?  Is it just experience, are you looking for a change of career or do you want to give something back?  
What fitness level is required? If the project is quite active you will enjoy yourself more if you have an average level of fitness.  If the work to be carried out involves hiking across the reserve to carry out work, chopping trees, building fences or carrying your own kit for a night out in the bush then do some preparation in advance. 
Can you make do with basic standards of living?  One thing is for certain, where you will be living will generally be of a standard lower than you are used to.  Therefore, prepare yourself for this mentally and don’t be tempted to bring any clothes that won’t stand up to the most rigorous conditions.

The experience that you get from taking some time out is invaluable as long as you are prepared and have chosen a project that suits you in every respect.  You can not influence who else will be on your programme unless you go with some friends but go with an open mind and you will get back as much as you put in.  If nothing else, you will have had a break away from the mundane, made a difference somewhere, gained some useful insights into your own personality, made some great new friends and come back a better person for it.