Gap Year Providers

Below is an alphabetical list of all the major (and some of the minor) organisations which provide Gap years. Further information on all of these can be found on the internet. Try individual providers’ websites as well as more general gap year sites (e.g. http://www.gapyear.com/ or http://www.yearoutgroup.org/) and publications such as “Gap year” and “GAPtastic” magazines. Mr C. Taylor has brochures and leaflets from many of these organisations, but if in doubt, e-mail or telephone them and ask yourself. Minor organisations not listed here include some religious organisations, some of the smaller language courses, ski and snowboard-based gap years and some overseas au pair/nanny placement providers - see Mr Taylor for info.

(“YOG” = a member of the Year Out Group)

GREEN = mainly conservation

PURPLE = mainly language courses or academic study

RED = mainly expedition-based

YELLOW = mainly “traditional” Gap Year work or projects

BLACK = other or various

Name: ACADEMIC YEAR IN THE USA & EUROPE (YOG)

Address: 46 High Street, Ewell Village, Surrey KT17 1RW

Tel no: 020 8786 7711

Fax: 020 8786 7755

Website: http://www.aaiuk.org/

e-mail: enquiry@aaiuk.org

Countries: USA, Germany, Spain, Italy, France

Approx cost: Various – c£3,000 for USA courses

Duration: 3, 4, 5 or 9 months

Notes: Cultural exchange / study abroad opportunities – apply early

Name: AFRICA AND ASIA VENTURE (YOG)

Address: 10 Market Place, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 1HT

Tel no: 01380 729009

Fax: 01380 720060

Website: http://www.aventure.co.uk/

e-mail: av@aventure.co.uk

Countries: Kenya, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Malawi, India, Nepal, Tanzania

Approx cost: c£2190 (not incl. air fare – but does include a Safari)

Duration: 4/5 months

Notes: Most placements involve teaching or other community work

Name: ART HISTORY ABROAD (YOG)

Address: Prioryfield House, 20 Cannon St, Taunton, TA1 1SW

Tel no: 01823 323363

Fax: 01823 271072

Website: www.ukbusiness.com/arthistoryabroad

e-mail: arthistoryabroad@ukbusiness.com

Countries: Italy

Approx cost: ?£3,600 (1999 price)

Duration: 6 weeks

Notes: Educational courses in Italian/European art and culture

Name: BSES (Royal Geographic Expeditions) (YOG)

Address: BSES, Royal Geog. Soc., 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR

Tel no: 020 7591 3141

Fax: 020 7591 3140

Website: http://www.bses.org.uk/

e-mail: bses@rgs.org

Countries: Too many to list (they include many Arctic and tropical areas)

Approx cost: Various

Duration: 4 weeks to 3 months

Notes: Adventurous expeditions (s-times involving scientific research)

Name: BUNAC (YOG)

Address: BUNAC, 16 Bowling Green Lane, London EC1R OQH

Tel no: 020 7251 3472

Fax: 020 7251 0215

Website: http://www.bunac.org/

e-mail: enquiries@bunac.org.uk

Countries: Canada, USA, Australia, NZ, Jamaica, RSA, UK, Ireland etc.

Approx cost: from £160 to £2000 (though many loans available)

Duration: 3 months – 1 year

Notes: Working holidays (incl. summer camps etc)

Name: CESA Languages Abroad (YOG)

Address: Western House, Malpas, Truro, TR1 1SQ

Tel no: 01872 225300

Fax: 01872 225400

Website: http://www.cesalanguages.com/

e-mail: info@cesalanguages.com

Countries: RSA, Japan, Russia, most of Europe

Approx cost: Huge variation depending on location and length (c£200-c£3,000)

Duration: 2-24 weeks

Notes: Language courses – beginners to advanced

Name: CHANGING WORLDS

Address: 11 Doctor’s Lane, Chaldon, Surrey, CR3 5AE

Tel no: 01883 340960

Fax: 01883 330783

Website: http://www.changingworlds.co.uk/

e-mail: info@changingworlds.co.uk

Countries: Australia, India, Nepal, Canada, NZ, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

Approx cost: £1795 (India) - £2295 (NZ)

Duration: usu. 6 months

Notes: Overseas voluntary and work placements

Name: CORAL CAY CONSERVATION

Address:

Tel no: 020 7498 6248 / 0870 750 0668

Fax:

Website: http://www.coralcay.org/

e-mail: info@coralcay.org

Countries: Philippines, Honduras, Belize, Philippines and others

Approx cost: £100-£300 per week (training incl. SCUBA = free)

Duration: unlimited

Notes: Conservation work on reefs and in rainforest

Name: COUNCIL OF INTERNAT. EXCHANGES (CIEE) (YOG)

Address: 52 Poland Street, London W1V 4JQ

Tel no: 020 7478 2000

Fax: 020 7734 7322

Website: http://www.councilexchanges.org/

e-mail: infouk@councilexchanges.org

Countries: Australia, NZ, Canada, USA, Japan, China, S America, Europe

Approx cost: from £200 to £1500 (depending on type of activity)

Duration: Various

Notes: Paid work, language study, university courses

Name: CSV (Community Service Volunteers) (YOG)

Address: CSV, 237 Pentonville Road, London N1 9BR

Tel no: 0800 374991

Fax: ? 01223 470122

Website: http://www.csv.org.uk/

e-mail: mailto:volunteer@csv.org.uk

Countries: UK

Approx cost: Accom/food provided – volunteers paid c£26 per week

Duration: 4-12 months

Notes: Voluntary and Community projects across the UK

Name: EF INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE

Address: 1-3 Farman St., Hove, E Sussex, BN3 1AL

Tel no: 01273 201410

Fax: 01273 748615

Website: http://www.ef.com/

e-mail: languages.gb@ef.com

Countries: Too many to list

Approx cost: £5000 - £10000 (for the language courses)

Duration: 6 – 36 weeks

Notes: Learning (or teaching) languages

Name: ENGLISH SPEAKING UNION

Address: Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London W1J 5ED

Tel no: 020 7529 1550

Fax: 020 7495 6108

Website: http://www.english-speakingunion.org/

e-mail: esu@esu.org

Countries: USA and Canada

Approx cost: c£2,500

Duration: 2 or 3 terms

Notes: Secondary School exchange scholarships

Name: THE EXPEDITION COMPANY

Address: P.O. Box 17, Wiveliscombe, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 2YL

Tel no: 01984 624780

Fax: 01984 629045

Website: http://www.expedition.co.uk/

e-mail: info@expedition.co.uk

Countries:

Approx cost:

Duration: 3 or 6 months

Notes: Adventurous expeditions overseas

Name: FRONTIER (YOG)

Address: 77 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4QS

Tel no: 020 7613 2422

Fax: 020 7613 2992

Website: www.frontier.ac.uk

e-mail: enquiries@frontierprojects.ac.uk

Countries: Tanzania, Madagascar, Vietnam and others

Approx cost: (training incl. recognised qualifications provided)

Duration: 10-20 weeks

Notes: Conservation and research projects in tropical countries

Name: GAP (Gap Activity Projects) (YOG)

Address: Gap House, 44 Queen’s Road, Reading, Berks, RG1 4BB

Tel no: 0118 959 4914

Fax: 0118 957 6634

Website: http://www.gap.org.uk/

e-mail: Volunteer@gap.org.uk

Countries: over 30 different countries – see Mr Taylor for brochure

Approx cost: Various, but most are around £1000 (usu. not incl. flights)

Duration: Anything from 3-12 months

Notes: Various work placements incl. schools, caring & community work

Name: GAP CHALLENGE (YOG) (part of World Challenge Expeds)

Address: Black Arrow House, 2 Chandos Road, London NW10 6NF

Tel no: 020 8537 7980

Fax: 020 8961 1551

Website: http://www.world-challenge.co.uk/

e-mail: welcome@world-challenge.co.uk

Countries: Many and various

Approx cost: c£1,500 – c£4,000

Duration: Flexible dates – 12 month return flight allows independent travel

Notes: Not only expeditions – also conservation, teaching, caring etc.

Name: GREENFORCE

Address: 11-15 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BP

Tel no: 020 7470 8888

Fax: 020 7470 8889

Website: http://www.greenforce.org/

e-mail: GREENFORCE@btinternet.com

Countries: Peru, various in Africa, marine projects in Fiji and Malaysia

Approx cost: £2,550 (includes training/equipment – diving where approp.)

Duration: 10 weeks

Notes: Conservation, environment and Natural Sciences research work

Name: I TO I / I VENTURE (YOG)

Address: One Cottage Road, Headingly, Leeds, LS6 4DD

Tel no: 0870 333 2332

Fax: 0113 274 6923

Website: http://www.i-to-i.com/

e-mail: travel@i-to-i.com

Countries: Australia, Bolivia, China, India, Nepal, Russia, Uganda etc

Approx cost: Anything from £700 to c£2,000

Duration: Varies from 2 weeks to a whole year

Notes: TEFL, cultural exchange and community projects abroad

Name: MAD (Mottey African Development)

Address: Old Post Office, 5 Pink Lane, Newcastle, NE1 5DW

Tel no: 0191 230 5404

Fax: 0191 261 5746

Website: http://www.madfoundation.com/

e-mail: info@madfoundation.com

Countries: Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania

Approx cost: Varies – most are c£1,000

Duration: c3 months

Notes: Voluntary work in Africa – community projects + expeditions

Name: PROJECT TRUST (YOG)

Address: Hebridean Centre, Isle of Coll, Argyll, Scotland, PA78 6TE

Tel no: 01879 230444

Fax: 01879 230357

Website: http://www.projecttrust.org.uk/

e-mail: info@projecttrust.org.uk

Countries: Chile, Brazil, Cuba, RSA, Uganda, Egypt, Jordan, China etc

Approx cost: £3,550 fundraising (but help available)

Duration: up to a full 12 months

Notes: Conservation, development, TEFL, caring, journalism etc

Name: QUEST OVERSEAS (YOG)

Address: 32 Clapham Mansions, Nightingale Lane, London SW4 9AQ

Tel no: 020 8673 3313

Fax: 020 8673 7623

Website: http://www.questoverseas.com/

e-mail: emailingyou@questoverseas.com

Countries: Various in South America (now incl. some African projects)

Approx cost: c£3,800 total

Duration: 3 months

Notes: S America – Spanish courses, conservation, expeditions etc

Name: RALEIGH INTERNATIONAL (YOG)

Address: 27 Parsons Green Lane, London SW6 4HZ

Tel no: 020 7371 8585

Fax: 020 7371 5116

Website: http://www.raleigh.org.uk/

e-mail: info@raleigh.org.uk

Countries: Borneo, Chile, Ghana, Namibia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua

Approx cost: c£3,300 fundraising (though govt. Gift Aid available)

Duration: 3 months

Notes: Community, environment and adventure projects worldwide

Name: THE SMALLPIECE TRUST (YOG)

Address: 27 Newbold Terrace East, Leamington Spa, Warks, CV32 4ES

Tel no: 01926 333203

Fax: 01926 331603

Website: http://www.smallpiecetrust.org.uk/

e-mail: info@smallpiecetrust.org.uk

Countries: UK and Europe

Approx cost: c £30 per week (scholarships available)

Duration: 3 months (UK) + 1 month (lang course) + 3 months (abroad)

Notes: Engineering specialists – study and work placements

Name: SPW (Student Partnerships Worldwide) (YOG)

Address: 17 Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PB

Tel no: 020 7222 0138

Fax: 020 7233 0008

Website: http://www.spw.org/

e-mail: spwuk@gn.apc.org

Countries: Various in Africa and Asia

Approx cost: c£2,600 - £2,950

Duration: 4-10 months

Notes: Work with young people abroad – community & health projects

Name: ST DAVID’S NORTH AFRICA PROJECT

Address: Beaufort Chambers, Beaufort St., Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1AA

Tel no: 01873 810665

Fax: 01873 810665

Website: http://www.africatrust.gi/

e-mail: wales@africatrust.gi

Countries: Ghana, Mali, Morocco

Approx cost:

Duration:

Notes: Community projects in North Africa

Name: STS

Address: 153 Carver Hill Road, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP11 2UQ

Tel no: 01494 446 929

Fax:

Website: http://www.sts-education.com/

e-mail: info@sts.dk

Countries: USA, Canada, RSA, France, Italy, Germany, Scandinavia

Approx cost: £2850-£3350

Duration: A year in a secondary school overseas

Notes: Student exchange for 15-18 year-olds

Name: TEACHING & PROJECTS ABROAD (YOG)

Address: Gerrard House, Rustington, W Sussex, BN16 1AW

Tel no: 01903 859911

Fax: 01903 785779

Website: http://www.teaching-abroad.co.uk/

e-mail: info@teaching-abroad.co.uk

Countries: China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Russia, RSA, Togo etc

Approx cost: c£1,000-2,000 (not incl. flights

Duration: usu. 3 months (though can be more)

Notes: TEFL, plus medical, journalism, vet, & conservation placements

Name: TRAVELLERS (YOG)

Address: 7 Mulberry Close, Ferring, W Sussex, BN12 5HY

Tel no: 01903 502595/700478

Fax: 01903 502595

Website: http://www.travellersworldwide.com/

e-mail: info@travellersworldwide.com

Countries: China, Ghana, India, Sri Lanka, RSA, Nepal, Cuba, Ukraine etc

Approx cost: Varies from £775 (not incl. flights) to £2,095 (incl. flights)

Duration: Flexible to suit you

Notes: Flexible and varied programmes – TEFL, wk experience etc

Name: TREKFORCE (YOG)

Address: 34 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0RE

Tel no: 020 7828 2275

Fax: 020 7828 2276

Website: http://www.trekforce.org.uk/

e-mail: trekforce@dial.pipex.com

Countries: Central America and Malaysia

Approx cost: £2350 fundraising (2 months), £3,500 fundraising (5 months)

Duration: usu.2 months, but can be up to 5.

Notes: Mainly expeditions, also TEFL, community work & lang. courses

Name: UNA Exchange

Address: Temple of Peace, Cathays park, Cardiff CF10 3AP

Tel no: 029 2022 3088

Fax: 029 2066 5557

Website: http://www.unaexchange.com/

e-mail: unaexchange@btinternet.com

Countries: Various (esp France, Germany, Central + Eastern Europe, Turkey)

Approx cost:

Duration: Various

Notes: Various international voluntary projects

Name: VENTURE CO.

Address: Pleck House, Middletown, Moreton Morrell, Warks, CV35 9AU

Tel no: 01926 651071

Fax: 01926 650120

Website: http://www.ventureco-worldwide.com/

e-mail: mail@ventureco-worldwide.com

Countries: South America plus some Himalayan countries

Approx cost: c£4000

Duration: c15 weeks

Notes: Everything (expeditions, community work, lang. courses etc.)

Name: VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas)

Address: 317 Putney Bridge Road, London SW15 2PN

Tel no: 020 8780 7500

Fax: 020 8780 7207

Website: http://www.vso.org.uk/

e-mail: enquiry@vso.org.uk

Countries: Many and various

Approx cost: Travel costs/expenses only

Duration: Usually 2 years

Notes: Mainly for post- rather then pre-university volunteers

Name: YEAR IN INDUSTRY (YOG) (Eastern Centre)

Address: Weltech Cent. Trust, Ridgeway, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 2AA

Tel no: 0161 275 4396 (01707 871504 = Eastern Centre)

Fax: 01707 377453

Website: http://www.yini.org.uk/

e-mail: Eastern@yini.org.uk

Countries: UK

Approx cost: Students can earn up to £9000 (though places are in high demand)

Duration:

Notes: See Mr Morgan for info on this – also NB individual companies’ own schemes e.g. IBM or Accenture

Name: YEAR OUT DRAMA (YOG)

Address: Stratford Coll., Alcester Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 9QR

Tel no: 01789 266245 ex. 3154

Fax:

Website: http://www.yearoutdrama.com/

e-mail:

Countries: UK

Approx cost:

Duration:

Notes: Drama course with links to the RSC and the Edinburgh Festival

Last Updated 8.1.02 – if you find any of the information here to be out of date, please inform Mr C. Taylor.