Gap year companies

[Girliefriendlikespuppies]

Dd 18yo wants to travel and volunteer abroad, ideally working with animals.

Can anyone recommend any companies that specialises in this? Had a quick Google but would like some recommendations.

TIA.

Following as also interested- hopefully someone knowledgeable will be along soon!

Me too!

Hopeful bump

Is she just starting a gap year now? Or is she currently year 13? How long does she want to be away for?

https://wwoof.net/ might be worth a look.

GVI was brilliant when I did some
marine conservation in Central America with them 20 years ago

Fixed on doing gap year before uni? Also considering doing it after? They are more mature at 21/22 and can simply get a working holiday visa or teach English abroad or travel - or indeed find the specialist volunteering bodies themselves.

Plus being a fresher at 18 is a fun coming of age experience that she will really enjoy.

They also tend to want to extend the gap year so doing after uni would represent less career disruption (unless she has already been accepted onto a course for a profession that has strict post graduation progression)

I had a gap year before uni and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Didn't miss out on the uni experience in the slightest.

Same. Doing it after was not an option. No money and I went into a graduate job.
Going before uni is great. It means you aren’t starting uni at 18 with no time away from home before (and just wanting to get drunk!)

Maybe Google for specific experiences. Someone I know went to an animal sanctuary for example but that can be fitted in between your own travel plans too.

I did wwoofing in Australia but it wasn’t involving animals however I’m sure you could find something.

Do Bunac still do stuff?!

I didn't say that doing it at 18 is missing out. It is clearly a fun and perhaps life changing experience whenever it is done.

OP is having to arrange this gap year for her 18 year old daughter. When they do it later, they can do the planning themselves, and it's also safer (18 year old daughter not son).

Just floating the options for her.

We don't actually know if the OP is having to plan anything, she might just be looking for ideas because she wants to help. I planned mine without any input from my parents, and raised the money for it myself as well. Perhaps the OP's dd is doing the same?

Think before is better as have flexibility of accommodation at home and are not getting into house shares or halls payments. Post uni I had a graduate role offer and was ready to start work. A year out can also really help maturity for studying the degree.

This is not a competition. I'm glad that you had a good experience, planned your own gap year, and raised the finance yourself.

I am supportive of gap years whether they take place before or after university. Each child is different, each career path may have different limitations regarding the options available.

I'm glad that your choice worked out for you and your life is going well.

Who said anything about a competition?

I agree that each child is different, and that it may suit some kids better before uni and s one after. And some will choose to do both, like I did. So what?

The OP posted to ask specifically about gap years for 18yos. We don't even know the dd's plans after the gap year. You seemed to be suggesting that waiting would be preferable. Fair enough if that's your point of view, I was just putting the alternative perspective.

@MrsBennetsPoorNerves You seemed to be suggesting that waiting would be preferable

Incorrect. I pointed out that there are benefits to doing a gap year after graduation - simply adding an option into the mix. That does not suggest that doing it later is better. It's not a zero sum game.

The most important thing is doing the gap year as opposed to not.

Well, yes, we can agree on the value of gap years.

Great stuff

Oh dear didn't mean to start an argument 😬

Dd finished college this year and has since been working and saving money. She's still undecided about uni but is talking about possibly doing a wildlife conservation degree next sept.

Im definitely not organising anything for her (the thought of her travelling anywhere makes me feel very nervous) but if there's any companies that are recommended would point dd in that direction.

There's a company called The Mighty Roar and a few others dd has been looking at.

Fwiw I travelled before uni and it was definitely the right way round for me and as nervous as I am about dd going anywhere I think she'll love it...