GAP year
 

My 17 year old daughter has announced that she wants to delay college in the US for a year and volunteer abroad. We have done some initial research online (her school guidance counselor was useless!) and it seems she is eligible to go with a UK based organization as a UK passport holder. She would go in summer 2006, and she favours NZ at the moment. I wondered if anyone had any experience of any of these, being out of the UK for so long makes me feel out of touch! Thanks,

Jan

Re: GAP year
 

check out www.bunac.com. They have some overseas things all over the world. Not sure about a whole year though.

Re: GAP year
 

Its a very popular thing to do in the Uk and very valuable experience in my opinion. Its strange that US students dont do it more although I think they are more into getting an education than anything else. It always surprises me that the US as a whole doesnt put more emphasis on travel and other cultures. Missed opportunity in my opinion.

Re: GAP year
 

Aren't America not signed up to the whole "work abroad when you're young" visa programme? Might explain why it's not that popular/easy for them to do so.

Re: GAP year
 

Brilliant Idea.

Other than BUNAC the main organisation is CIEE - Council for Educational Exchange - http://www.ciee.org

I did two programmes in the US with them. I also met my husband during this time and here I am here again!

These programmes change your life. Absolutely fantastic.