The Generator Hostel, London, published a guide this week on how to make Gap Years CV-savvy. With tips on everything from teaching abroad to volunteer projects and adventure challenges – they’re right to say there’s a lot to be learnt whilst travelling.
While University’s not the only place to learn and grow, Gap Year’s aren’t the only alternative – whatever your time of life or length of trip – from short term cultural exchanges for working holiday makers to long term volunteer opportunities for round the world travellers – there’s always the chance to learn abroad if you’re willing to get involved.
Get more from your trip and maybe even enhance your CV along the way. Immerse yourself in local projects, live alongside the locals, practice their language and breakdown that cultural barrier.
Whether it’s a Gap Year away or a week’s holiday you’re planning, our savvy local Tribods can help you – we asked a few of them to recommend the best projects & tips to really get you involved.
Gap Year & short term volunteer projects
Free world-wide cultural exchange projects
‘When you’re tired of travelling from A-B why not lay down your ruck-sack for a week and re-charge your batteries in one place on a Helpx cultural exchange placement. Hosts offer free accommodation and meals in return for 4 hours of work per day. Projects on the Helpx website range from organic farming to B&B work and ranch-stays in countries worldwide. There’s no membership fee and placements can be arranged very last minute – perfect if you’ve got left-over holiday at work or you’ve time to spare before your next flight connection on a round the world trip.  Liz, London Tripbod
South Africa all-inclusive volunteer projects
The Eastern Cape, South Africa is home to a variety of established short and long term volunteer projects. Helping orphans living with HIV, assisting teachers in under-privileged schools or working in conservation on a game reserve – a variety of opportunities exist to suit visitors’ skills and interests. The cost of a 4-week project starts from R5000.00, depending on the type of accommodation and placement selected. Options exist for home-stays in the townships, local guesthouses or shared on-site accommodation. Transport costs are usually included and full board can also be provided. Neil, South Africa Tripbod
India village life volunteer project
A trip to India provides the opportunity for visitors to fully immerse themselves in traditional Indian village life. Extensive programs can include a home-stay with an Indian family, teaching at a village school in the morning and working on the village farm in the afternoon. There’s also the chance for Indian vegetarian cooking classes and Pranayama yoga training at the local Ashram to round off a truly authentic taste of traditional Indian life. Projects are flexible and can be individually tailored based on your time, budget and interests. Yatin, India Tribod
A day in the life – 1 day volunteer & cultural exchange projects
Slovenia Alpine life cultural exchange
Spin Travel’s Alpine Melody tour in Slovenia gives visitors first-hand experience of the traditional Alpine way of life. Travelling through the beautiful, remote valleys of the Bled district, visitors work alongside herdsmen, learning how to care for sheep, then shearing them for the raw material that goes into creating fantastic homespun wool products. Later visitors share a classic Alpine feast with the only living traditional herdsmen left on the plateau. Guided by the principles of responsible community-based tourism, visitors can leave safe in the knowledge that they’ve contributed positively to the region. Mojca, Slovenia Tripbod
Jordan cultural exchange project
The Zikra social initiative in Jordan allows visitors to participate in what Zikra’s founder calls ‘exchange tourism’. Participants are given the opportunity to spend a day in the life of an average Ghor Mazraa inhabitant. Members of this Jordan valley community teach visitors how to prepare a local meal during tomato harvesting season or make traditional kohl (natural black eyeliner). The cost of the excursion provides those involved with compensation for their efforts and contributes to a micro-fund loan pool that provides much needed financing for local small business ventures. Visitors not only depart Ghor Mazraa with new skills, but also with a better sense of the country and its varied inhabitants. Eric, Egypt Tripbod
These are just a few of the hundreds of local projects our trusted Tripbods can connect you with when they help you to plan your very own CV-savvy trip.
With their fingers of the pulse of their local area, they’re the only way to ensure you make the most of your trip to the destination. Get access to the best on and offline volunteer and cultural exchange projects from the people behind the places you want to go, as well as a whole host of local insider travel advice and general cultural information.
Know what kind of project you’d like to do but not where to do it? It’s a start! Contact Tripbod HQ directly and we’ll find your perfect project match!
This is a really helpful post. The major shortage of uni places being talked about here in the UK will continue to make this all the more important. A gap year trip that not only broadens your horizons but also pads out your CV is going to be a big focus for the foreseeable future!
I found out a great deal via the report and value the useful resources and data!