The Big Five For Gap Year Projects

Choosing the country that you want to visit on your year out is almost as difficult as choosing your gap year projects. Luckily there are a number of countries that always provide students with a fantastic gap year experience. We refer to these countries as the big five and you'll be surprised when you discover which countries they are:

India

India has been popular with gappers and backpackers since the hippy trail first opened in the 1960s. Nowadays it is still extremely popular with young people seeking spirituality and looking for enlightenment on their gap year projects.

Yoga retreats and ashram stays can seem alluring but after a while around-the-clock meditation can get a little tiresome. We recommend mixing yoga camp with gap year projects that give back to the community.

If you dream of white sands and brightly coloured saris, then Goa is ideal for you. You could help save turtles from the dangers of mass tourism at the scenic Galgibaga beach or help out at the Cottiago wildlife sanctuary.

Sri Lanka

With a very similar culture to India, there's no wonder that scenic Sri Lanka made it onto our top five list. Sri Lanka offers lush vegetation, hotter curries than India and it's probably the best place in the world to spot the elusive leopard.

Elephant lovers will also have trouble finding a country better adapted for their favourite pachyderms and, just as the elephant never forgets, Sri Lanka is also a place you won't forget in a hurry.

Kenya

If you want to spend plenty of time on your gap year projects just monkeying around, then look no further than Kenya. The Colobus Trust is a primate conservation sanctuary located on the coastal town of Diani.

Not only can you help to care for monkeys on your year out, but you can also help build infrastructure that helps the primate population even after you've gone home.

You'll also have the chance to go out into the community and educate the locals on ethical issues surrounding primate conversation. The only thing wrong with gap year projects at the Colobus Trust, is that you won't be able to take one of the monkeys home with you.

Malawi

Madonna might be a huge fan of this African country, but if you were born wild then chances are that you'll love it too! You can do so much on gap year projects in Malawi and the country has three very different projects based on your personal likes and dislikes.

Budding Beckhams might want to spend their year out teaching the locals ball skills that will help them develop their hand-eye co-ordination and provides a positive form of recreation. If you're a real people person then you're probably better off spending your gap year projects helping out in the community and teaching locals everything from AIDS awareness to craft skills.

South Africa

South Africa has so much to offer in terms of gap year projects and whether you're a vet looking for a fun way to gain your EMS points or simply want to take a few months out of the daily grind to become a game ranger, you'll certainly find what you're looking for in South Africa. The country might be known for its big five game reserves, but there are also great community based projects and the chance to make waves underwater with the ORCA Marine Foundation.

By : Mark_Bottell