| Are you ready for college? Some people aren't. | | | | language in-country and help your fellow neighbor at |
| When making life decisions it is good to take some | | | | the same time. |
| time, look over all the options, and go where your | | | | 4. Australia: If the fun of nature is something you |
| heart takes you. Some students choose after high | | | | enjoy, then Australia has plenty of opportunities for |
| school to take a "gap year," or a year to figure out | | | | spending a gap year "down under." Choose from |
| what they want to do in life. | | | | planting trees, working on endangered species |
| There are many countries out there with varied | | | | protection programs, or working on habitat |
| experiences to challenge these students who may | | | | restoration to help improve the natural elements of |
| not know yet what they want do with their lives. | | | | the great outback. Volunteer programs are available |
| Here are some interesting international options for | | | | now in the cities of Cairns, Townsville, Brisbane, |
| the undecided student: | | | | Newcastle, Sydney, Perth and Melbourne. |
| 1. India: India has a great need for volunteers in the | | | | 5. China: Asian culture is full of history and art, from |
| community, to help the underprivileged children and | | | | the many family dynasties to the vast array of art |
| adults of their country with education, community | | | | forms, thus making China a wonderful adventure. If |
| service and conservation. No formal experience is | | | | you are looking for a demanding gap year program |
| necessary, just a willingness and enthusiasm to help. | | | | then maybe you would like to try learning Mandarin |
| Programs range from helping children in orphanages, | | | | Chinese or one of the many Chinese martial arts. If |
| teaching adults about nutrition and disease, | | | | film is your thing, try taking a historical survey of the |
| restoration and rebuilding of churches and school, to | | | | major genres of Chinese film history and how they |
| working with animal rescue programs. | | | | relate to the social, political and cultural development |
| 2. Rennes, France: If art, architecture, music, and | | | | of this vast country. |
| Celtic history interest you, then head to Rennes, | | | | Taking time out of your current path in life to |
| France. Located at the junction of the Ille and Vilaine | | | | explore something new is an emerging idea for the |
| rivers, Rennes is known for its cultural attractions as | | | | Western World, but it doesn't have to be a difficult |
| well as its thriving technological research centers. | | | | one. |
| Volunteers are needed to teach English in primary, | | | | There are many companies that can help you |
| middle, or secondary schools, and while doing so you | | | | arrange your gap year programs. Check for stability |
| can learn the local language yourself. | | | | of the company, look for references on their |
| 3. Argentina: Head on down south to brush up on | | | | website, and be sure to determine the exchange |
| your Spanish and help a country in need at the same | | | | rate of the country that you will be going to. Most |
| time. If helping the local community interests you, | | | | companies will help with all the planning you will need |
| then Argentina has plenty of volunteer programs for | | | | for your gap year, so with a little work and the right |
| you to choose from, including; healthcare, teaching | | | | motivation your year away can be rewarding and fun. |
| English as a second language, youth outreach | | | | Start planning today! |
| programs,and leading nature expeditions. Learn a | | | | |