Gap Year & Holiday Activities
TAKING A GAP YEAR...
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Can improve your CV and give you something engaging to discuss at interview
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Help you get a better perspective on who you are, your life, and what you want to do next
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Will take you out of your comfort zone and build life experience you can't get in a classroom
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Means you return refreshed and ready for the next step
Many opportunities are suitable for holidays - don't be put off by the words "Gap Year"!
Even if you don't currently think a Gap Year is what you want, exam grades, COVID-related deferrals mean that in August some A-level students find themselves suddenly wondering how to fill a year productively! There is a lot you can do to develop your soft skills in a year between school and university, so it makes sense to sign up early for alerts and have a better idea of what opportunities there are should you need them! Ideas include:
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Year in Industry Scheme - https://www.etrust.org.uk/yini-vacancies
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Tutoring or working in a UK school - https://yipiyap.co.uk/ and for boarding schools: www.boarding.org.uk
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Improve your digital skills: www.skillsgap.tech
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Volunteer - you can search the UK database of opportunities here: https://doit.life/ and this website is also good: https://reachvolunteering.org.uk/; the Worldspackers app is also recommended www.worldpackers.com
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Internships are available in a wide range of disciplines from medicine and veterinary to business and journalism; find out more with these organisations: www.oysterworldwide.com , www.projects-abroad.co.uk , www.planmygapyear.co.uk
General Information
Many websites such as UCAS.com and prospects.ac.uk have sections on Gap Years. Also look at:
www.yearoutgroup.org - good general introduction with links to 35+ member organisations
www.gapyear.com - an interactive magazine, providing information, advice, message boards, blogs and journals
http://www.independentgapadvice.org/ offers advice and ideas for free
Also look up the latest "Top 100" gap year providers as researched by newspapers such as the Telegraph.
UK Opportunities
www.summerjobs.co.uk - guide to summer employment and vacation work
www.etrust.org.uk/yini-vacancies - the Year in Industry (YINI) scheme offers paid placements for students interested in all areas of engineering, science, IT, e-commerce, business, marketing, finance and logistics
www.timebank.org.uk - voluntary work opportunities in the UK with links to organisations that offer opportunities for young people
Worldwide Opportunities
www.anyworkanywhere.com - A great place to start looking; in excess of 30,000 jobs have been advertised on the website
www.workingabroad.com - an international networking service for volunteers and travellers
www.projecttrust.org.uk - volunteer to work for a year in another country.
www.volunteerlatinamerica.com - affordable volunteer work plus schools to learn Spanish in Central and South America
The following organisations have been recommended by pupils I have taught:
www.gapforce.org - opportunities for 18+ year olds
www.frontier.ac.uk - over 300 opportunities for Gap Years or shorter activity/volunteering breaks
www.culsansgaptravel.co.uk - amazing conservation projects in Africa
www.sportlived.co.uk - lots of great opportunities downunder
www.skilegap.com - worldwide opportunities for ski enthusiasts