Help choosing your gap year experience
There are many things to consider when choosing your gap year experience and you need to take everything into account when making your decision.
Where should I go?
When considering where to go on your gap year, make sure you do your research on the country you plan to visit. You need to make sure you are happy with the culture in which you will be immersed, the climate you will be living in and the distance from both your friends and family and from the nearest cities. We have included a brief overview of the host country on all of our project pages to get you started but we stongly urge you to as much as your own research as possible. This may include:
- Talking to friends and family that may have already been to the country you are thinking of visiting
- Talking to teachers or lecturers
- Searching the internet for decriptions of the countries and cultures or travel blogs by people who have been there
- Visit the travel section of your local library
What should I do?
There are many different activities available , all offering challenges of different types - some physical, some mental, some emotional. You will get the most rewarding experience if you expect and embrace these challenges so think carefully about what is right for you.
What type of projects are available to me?
When choosing a project with Frontier, it is important that you think carefully about what type of project will best match the type of experience you are seeking and what sort of contribution you wish to make. There are two types of project available through Frontier - Frontier Group projects and Frontier supported projects. To decide upon which type of project you are most suited to, take a look at our advice on choosing a project with Frontier. If you think it would help to talk to someone, go to the 'brochure and volunteer news' section of our website and request a free call back from one of our gap year travel advisers.
Who should I go with?
We know that in an ideal world many of you would prefer to research, plan and organise your own gap year programme, research project and travel. We also know how hard it is to discover, negotiate and secure the best and most worthwhile projects and we congratulate those of you who accept the challenge and succeed in doing this. We also appreciate that with exams, part-time jobs, personal statements, UCAS applications and student loan forms, many of you simply don't have the time to do all the research necessary to discover the best projects and are happy to let Frontier do the organising and take the strain.
If you choose to go on a project with Frontier, you should be aware that part of your project fee goes towards covering the cost of our doing this organising for you. For more information about this, you are encouraged to read the relevant section of our FAQs and also about what makes Frontier different to other gap year travel organisation .
Am I prepared?
The most important thing to decide when choosing your gap year experience is if you are prepared. The better prepared you are when you travel abroad, the safer you will be and the more rewarding and memorable the experience. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office offers 'Know Before You Go ' travel advice, including simple precautions you can take before and during your trip.
And finally...
This website is designed to give you ideas and inspiration for your project abroad with Frontier. It is intended as a guide only and although details are correct at time of publishing, all projects are subject to change.
Part of the excitement of a gap year experience is the unpredictability of life in a remote location and the thrill of the unknown. Changing weather conditions may mean you need to relocate in order to avoid floods or cyclones. Seasonal variations in wildlife populations may affect what animals and plants you are likely to encounter. The immediate needs of a local community may affect what types of community development work is a priority. Term times and local festivals and holidays will affect the number of children in schools. Accommodation arrangements may vary depending on availability.
Remember to check our website regularly to find all the most up-to-date project information and perhaps even discover a new project you hadn’t considered before. Remember, if you’re having difficulty deciding, our travel advisers will be more than happy to help you - you can even request a callback through our website so you don’t have to pay for the phonecall!
As the time of your project approaches, we will inform you of any alterations to your activities so you can be well prepared for your adventure of a lifetime. Remember, whilst on your project you are there to provide help and skills wherever they are needed most rather than to impose what you want to do upon the local people. With this in mind, you can be sure to have a rewarding gap experience and be confident that all your efforts really have made a difference.