Biggest Global Gap Year group to set sail in September
Projects Abroad volunteers spend time with children at a care center in South Africa
Press Release – NEW YORK – July 26, 2017 – A record number of volunteers have signed up for Projects Abroad‘s Global Gap Year program, with a new high of 20 participants from around the world registered for the upcoming worldwide trip. The next Global Gap Year program will take place over 27 weeks, starting in September and coming to completion in May 2018.
The Global Gap Year program offered by Projects Abroad is an opportunity to travel to five destination countries across three continents to positively impact communities and the environment through service work. Designed for high school graduates who have decided to take a year off before college, taking part in the Global Gap Year program is an ideal way to explore many corners of the globe, experience diverse cultures, and leave a lasting impact in important areas of need.
Growth of the Global Gap Year program can be attested to increased interest among young adults to travel before settling into a career-focused life after school. Often, high school graduates are uncertain of which career path to choose or would like to take time off from academic responsibilities. Projects Abroad’s Global Gap Year program meets these desires. Another reason for increased interest is the growth in the program’s international appeal. This year’s group will have twelve Europeans – the most ever.
During their 27 weeks abroad, participants will travel to Ghana, South Africa, Peru, Nepal, and Thailand, in that order, with a five-week break during December and January. Global Gap volunteers become involved with numerous project categories during their travels. These include providing care and support to children in specific areas of need such as early childhood development, building community facilities like educational centers, teaching English or other subjects to various ages, protecting marine life through underwater diving, and providing medical services to communities with limited access to healthcare.
Tom Pastorius, Head of Global Recruitment for Projects Abroad, says taking part in their Global Gap Year program offers participants a learning experience they cannot have at school. “It’s a time for experiential learning beyond the classroom to gain focus and insight before starting college,” he says. The specific projects and destinations on the list are also among Projects Abroad’s most sought after programs. “Global Gap is the optimal set of projects chosen by us in our most popular destinations, and you get to experience these with a group of people your own age.”
Aside from the important work that volunteers will conduct during their travels, they will also have once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to visit some famous tourist attractions during their free time. From seeing the breathtaking ancient Incan ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, to standing atop Table Mountain in South Africa, one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, any spirit of adventure will be duly satisfied.
With the start date of the next Global Gap Year program fast approaching, opportunity to apply to be a part of the class of 2018 is running out quickly. Projects Abroad encourages all interested parties to submit their applications as soon as possible to secure a spot on what can only be described as an adventure of a lifetime.
Projects Abroad was founded in 1992 by Dr. Peter Slowe, a geography professor, as a program for students to travel and work while on break from full-time study. The program had its genesis in post-USSR Romania, where students were given the chance to teach conversational English. After a few years just sending volunteers to Eastern Europe for teaching, the company expanded to sending volunteers of all ages around the world on a wide range of projects.
Projects Abroad is a global leader in short-term international volunteer programs with projects in 30 countries and recruitment offices in the UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Holland, Hong Kong, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden and the United States.
For details on volunteering abroad, visit Projects Abroad’s web site at www.projects-abroad.org.
