Gap Years - Why do people do it?

There are so many reasons why you might take a gap year. Some people don't feel ready for work or higher education and feel they lack either worldly experience or direction and motivation. Others feel strongly motivated to help people, or see it as a way to explore parts of the world that would otherwise be out of reach.

Those who are unsure of the direction of their own lives (should I study nursing or law / go to uni or get a job?) can find that the experience clarifies their thoughts and ideas, or opens up entirely new avenues to explore. Some will undertake it specifically to gain experience relevant to their future education or career.

Whatever the reasons for undertaking a gap year, it can be an emotionally and physically challenging venture that shouldn't be undertaken lightly. The rewards can be enormous, with life changing experiences available, but the demands of the gap year can be tough on your emotions as well as your body. Having said that, life anywhere can be tough and demanding, so don't get the impression that gap years are only for rugged, outdoor non-emotional types who like nothing more than overcoming the impossible twice before breakfast. Far from it, many gap year projects, such as working in schools, hospitals and with charities are ideal for caring, emotional and relaxed people who would rather find a way round a problem than drive a bulldozer straight through it.

What qualifications / certificates do I need?

Generally you aren't expected to hold many qualifications,although there are exceptions. Working with most gap year projects requires little more than enthusiasm, dedication and the ability to get along with your fellow volunteers and staff. However, any skills and experience relating to what you want to do can be a huge benefit, both for you and for the project team. The simple answer is to ask the gap year company, and if you can, ask the staff where you will be placed.

All good gap year organisations will provide induction training and local familiarisation once you arrive at your destination, but don't assume that you can, therefore, sit back and leave everything to someone else. A 'must' for almost anyone working abroad is a basic First Aid course or, better still, the 4 day Health and Safety at Work Certificate. Medical aid in remote and poorly developed areas is frequently a case of DIY until an hospital can be reached - and that can sometimes take days.

An area of contention among many teachers is that of unqualified young people taking a gap year to 'teach' in LEDC's (less economically developed countries) arguing that it's unfair for children to receive potentially poor and misguided teaching from totally unqualified teachers just because they are in an LEDC. There is some substance to this argument, though the flip side is that any teaching is almost always much better than none at all.

If you are considering a gap year placement involving teaching or care, everyone will win if you make the effort to gain experience before the placement starts. Neither teaching nor care are professions into which you can walk cold, with no experience and planning, so consider volunteering with a youth group, a care home, hospital etc before you go.

If you plan on conducting sporting activities you may be expected to prove your competence before you can fully participate in events, so make sure you have the relevant certificates issued in your home country whenever possible. It might seem easy to sail a dinghy - and essentially it is when things go well, but could you live with your conscience if things went wrong and somebody died for lack of you attending a one day course beforehand?

So, in short, qualifications and certificates depend on what you want to do, where you go and how much training the gap year company is offering. If in doubt ASK!

 

How do I find out more?

If the idea of a gap year in Uganda appeals to you, there are several ways to find out more. Check out the links to Gap Year Providers working in Uganda, talk to your school or university careers staff, or read some personal accounts from those who've been there and done it.