Gap Year

[almostdonemum]

I'd like to share my experience choosing a gap year experience for my daughter as it might help someone in the same situation.

My DD2 was adamant that she wanted a break before Uni (she applied with a year's deferral) and as I happen to believe that a little more growing up and some life skills can only enhance a uni experience I agreed. She worked hard all summer and autumn after college to get money together (we helped a bit)...and equally hard to find the right Gap Year idea. She knew she wanted to do some volunteering but also have one heck of an adventure i.e.step outside her comfort zone. Her older sister went to Africa with one company but came back feeling like she had not "been used" to her full potential and slightly disappointed, so that one was out of the question.

After months of trailing the web, panic (there's a lot of choice!) and me getting involved we approached a company called Quest Overseas as they offered a combination of projects and expeditions. From day one of contacting them they were spot on. They chatted to DD2 on the phone and then asked to meet her to make sure that she would hack it, so she went for an "interview". A couple of months later most of the group she was to travel with met up for a bonding weekend and in January 2014 she set off on the trip of a life time. There were 9 of them altogether from UK, Spain, France, USA and Canada.

I can't praise it enough. She did the Villa Maria Trip so studied Spanish in Ecuador (spoke none before), worked with children in the slums in Peru (and really felt like she made a difference) and did some amazing hiking, trekking, rafting, summiting Andes peaks and really had to push herself to the limit sometimes. She came home full of life and so confident that she set off for another few months on her own to Asia. All the "kids" on the Quest trip were fantastic and I'm sure she's made friends for life. As a parent I never worried as I felt she was in such safe hands. The cost seemed high, until we realised what they got to do and be part off. All the parents spoke about this at the airport when picking them up, and we all agreed...Money well worth it!

She's back, working again and really looking forward to Uni now.

I hope this helps someone who is lost in the Gap Year Jungle!!!

As someone who's considering such a thing for ds1..... how much?

Hi Fartmeistergeneral, go onto their website for the most up to date cost. Or call them! They are ever so helpful. I think we paid around 4.5K for the trip (+ air tickets). There is a donation on top that goes straight to the project. They give you lots of help and tips on how to fundraise. My DD chose not to- she preferred to work harder! It did feel like a lot of money at the time of paying, but hearing her stories of everything they'd been part of and the peace of mind for me was well well worth it.

It is great to get a recommendation for something like this.

How long was your DD away for?

a lot of care is needed with this kind of thing as 'voluntourism' can do more harm than good. Fortunately this company do seem to address the issues (taking work from locals, turning up to play with kids for a week then vanishing) It is difficult as there is often very little that unskilled teens can actually do to help on these trips, so fair play to them.

also good for her for not fundraising, but working. 'fundraising' for this kind of thing is generally not popular when there are so many good causes in the UK. I am amused that the website says 'not many people will refuse sponsoring you to do a parachute jump'. Er....

it can't be denied that it is very expensive.

not cynicism - realism. Anyone doing this should do a LOT of research. And that is the kids, not mums!

Hi Leeds2, she was away for 13 weeks. There is so much on offer out there and I'm only sharing my very own -and only mine- experience. I would have loved to have someone point me in the right direction back when. However, keep in mind that all teenagers are different and just because something suits one it might not suit another.

In regards to your post, specialsubject- I agree; of course they should research themselves, it's about them taking charge, growing up, trusting their own instincts etc. My DD2 did the research but when she reached "overload" after having selected the ones to go on her shortlist we discussed pros & cons and she had a really good think about whet she wanted from this experience. As I'm more experienced at reading between the lines and asking crucial questions than my 18yr old we were very happy with the team work!

I absolutely believe that not all gap year "experiences" are doing more good than harm, but I can only judge from the two my DD's have taken part in and DD1 came home and said 'waste of time' (1 month in Africa with another company- I let her chose completely on her own with friends...!) and then she went off to OZ to hang out instead. DD2 came home and said 'omg the best time of my life I loved what we did with the kids i have never pushed myself so hard ever ever and these people are amazing, Ive been to the most beautiful places, I've eaten everything cooked everything' etc etc.
I should point out that the volunteering bit was only 4 weeks, so I'm sure if you're after more of that this particular trip might not be for you.

The money- in hindsight we regret not helping DD1 out with money- it would have meant that she could have gone for longer/ done more/ done different- and yes I realise we're lucky to be in that position the be able to help, but they both worked blinking hard, they just ended up having very different experiences.