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Book now to bag the gap year of your dreams

9th June 2014 Print
Gap Year

Exam season will soon be over. You'll be ripping up your revision notes before you know it. Then, it will suddenly dawn on you that the exciting gap year you'd earmarked before starting university is now looming, vacantly, in the not so distant future. But fear not….there is still time to book your ideal gap year experience, but don't put it off any longer! Book now to secure your place on one of GVI's incredible projects or expeditions around the world and ensure that your gap year is, quite rightly, the envy of your friends and family.     
 
Gap years should not just been seen as a yearlong holiday. This is your opportunity to get out there and see things you might never get a chance to see again. It is also an ideal time to learn something new, give a little back to local communities through meaningful volunteer work or even enhance your CV. Whether it is learning a new language, a new skill or even a whole new career path, you will return home feeling so much more fulfilled than if you'd spent the year hopping between bars and full moon parties. 
 
Established some 17 years ago and with over 150 different volunteer projects operating in 25 countries, you are sure to find your perfect gap year experience through GVI. From jaguar conservation in the Costa Rican rainforest to teaching children in a South African township, GVI has a flexible and diverse range of projects to offer.
 
The number of gap year options out there can be overwhelming. But make GVI's gap year website your first port of call to search hundreds of exciting projects and you'll be sure to land on your feet. GVI's advice is to go into the planning process with an open mind, be creative and who knows what you will come up with. It may even be one of the following…
 
Marine Conservation and PADI Divemaster Internship in Mexico (24 weeks)
 
Earn your PADI Divemaster qualification as you assist with key marine conservation projects on a scuba diving and marine conservation internship in Mexico's picturesque Yucatan peninsula. You will undergo an extensive 12 week training programme and gain in-depth knowledge into the marine ecosystem, then put this knowledge to work when you join a team to compile crucial research on tropical coral reefs and fish species. More information here.   
 
*GVI offers 24-week programmes from £5,095
 
Volunteer with Buddhist Novice Monks in Laos (2-12 weeks)
 
Discover Laos' ancient city of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and teach English to Buddhist novice monks, improving the quality of their education and enabling them to access more opportunities and deliver a higher quality of life for their families. You will have the opportunity to visit local sites such as the Mekong River, beautiful waterfalls and breath-taking mountains in your spare time. More information here.   
 
*GVI offers 2-week programmes from £945
 
Teaching and Community Development Internship in South Africa (24 weeks)

Gain valuable experience when you join a 24 week teaching and community development internship in the beautiful city of Cape Town. The internship begins with a 12 week volunteer project, where you will learn how to plan and deliver a range of educational programmes in deprived township schools, day care centres and orphanages, gaining experience in teamwork and leadership. After successfully completing this phase you will then undertake a 12 week work placement where you will further develop your teaching skills and assist with the running of educational programmes (including childcare, sports and creative play) for young children. An exceptional opportunity to provide disadvantaged children with a richer, better quality education while gaining invaluable teaching experience and qualifications. Further details here.   
 
*GVI offers 24-week programmes from £4,395
 
Volunteer on Construction Projects in Fiji (1 – 4 weeks)

Help community members develop important infrastructure for future generations in the picturesque Fiji Islands by building and implementing rainwater harvesting systems, constructing vegetable gardens, helping to train villagers in new waste-management methods and improving educational facilities. The long-term goal is to improve sustainability within the communities' infrastructure and their quality of life. In your free time, immerse yourself in the local culture, relax on white sand beaches and climb volcanic mountains. More information here.     
 
*GVI offers 1-week programmes from £1,320
 
Wildlife Expedition in Costa Rica (4 – 12 weeks)

Join a team of international volunteers on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast in the Tortugero National Park. Through hands on work in the rainforest, you will gain a thorough understanding of this important ecosystem and contribute to its long term conservation, whilst participating in important research on species' population studies of Jaguars, aquatic birds and sea turtles. Professional development is very important, and as such a range of practical skills and practical knowledge are key parts of the expedition through additional training and field experience. Further details here.   
 
*GVI offers 4-week programmes from £1,460
 
For more information on GVI's huge choice of gap years, check out gvi.co.uk and join GVI's 150,000+ fans on Facebook.

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Gap Year