Gap year/placement/internship for 18 year old Geography student

[user1491252310]

Does anyone have some ideas, inspirations for my daughter, loves Geography and hoping to reapply to Oxford for 2018 entry.

[NeverTwerkNaked]

What kind of geography is she most interested in? It's such a broad subject?
She could try:
Local authority - town planning type stuff : they are pretty good at taking on interns etc
Environmental charities /development charities?

[user1491252310]

Thanks for your prompt reply. It is a broad subject: she is active in the school charity PHAB, Physically-handicapped-able-bodied, which is UK based, I think.
But her interests are wide at this stage, I think she would be open to going abroad on a project for a few months.

[RedHelenB]

If she is 18 there are lots of volunteer placements abroad if that interests her. I did CSV for a bit of my gap year in Birmingham and it was great fun and woukd fit in with her previous charity work.

[Crumbs1]

Shell - office Waterloo. Friends child did this and had brilliant time but they were doing chemistry.
National Trust
If you can afford it there are companies offering projects abroad saving turtles/rainforest etc
Our youngest went to a British international school in Middle East and had fabulous time learning about culture etc
Try British Council? Friends daughter did that.
The WHO offer internships
MAFF ?

[bojorojo]

I would certainly look at volunteering. My DD went to the National Trust. Perhaps think what area of geography interests her and go from there. There are plenty of saving the environment opportunities if you can afford to go on the placements. Nearer to home look at local charities and the Councils.

[user1491252310]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts.
Lots here to think about.
Still open to further ideas/personal experience.

[homebythesea]

Camps International do a variety of trips to far flung places for gap years. Just one of many similar organisations. But actually they are more a jolly than anything more tangibly useful or relevant to her chosen field. She'd be better off getting a job for 6 months then travelling. What does she want to gain by the year off? What are her realistic chances of getting the Oxford place next year? What will have changed?

[user1491252310]

Thanks for your message: you mention working for six months, then travelling. That would fit in with being around (at home) for her re-application period, autumn term 2017.
Your questions are extremely helpful: 'what does she want to gain by the year off?' The year off is currently viewed as a negative/a delay in getting to where she wants to go; but you draw attention to a potential gain, increased personal development, thank you! 'What will have changed?' - may I ask you to comment on what you think are the important changes to be able to demonstrate?

[thesandwich]

A gap year will give the opportunity to explore her subject too.... reading/ visiting places/own research. Oxford will be most interested in her passion and proven knowledge of her subject beyond the curriculum and some travel etc linked to it- also working etc demonstrates other skills and builds maturity.
Volunteering with councils/ museums/ libraries etc could be useful- conservation etc?

[Tobolsk]

Try your local Environment Agency's office, AECOM, RSK are all good options.

[homebythesea]

By "what will have changed" I mean what does she think she will be able to offer /demonstrate to the Oxford admissions people that she couldn't this time round. She needs to be realistic in that reapplication success rates are low. Put brutally, seeing as they rejected her last time, why wouldn't they this time?

I know she will have her actual grades (assuming she is taking A levels shortly) and if she excels herself then all to the good. But they will have been looking for so much more than bare grades, and she needs to examine what it was that was lacking last time round and whether whatever the gap year plans are can fulfil that.

This all sounds a bit like putting a downer on it, I apologise. But putting all eggs in one basket is not ideal IMVHO and needs to be approached realistically.

[Sarahandduck18]

I know this is an old thread but was wondering how op’s DD got on and if anyone else has ideas for a good gap year for geography?

[Moominmammacat]

Heartily approve of work experience but my niece, never did a single thing outside school in her life, is reading Geography at Oxford so I don't know how much it matters ... just saying.

[ShalomJackie]

Ask at the Scott Polar Institute in Cambridge. I think they have schemes.