Gap years are not just for the youth heading into university or wanting to take a break between years of school. Adults of any age can take a gap year to experience a once-in -a-lifetime opportunity: the chance to work with animals on a volunteer project in Africa.
Animal conservation is not just a passion shared by young people. Many older adults are looking to find ways to help preserve the Earth through small or large individual contributions - some find fulfillment helping to educate by sharing their knowledge. Working with animals in Africa may seem like an impossible dream but many mature age adults have done it - and you can too! If you have always dreamed of seeing an African sunset, or spending the night in a savannah with nothing but the stars over your head, what better time than now?
The Career Break
Many adults go on gap years or "career breaks" early on or between shifting careers. Others may go on a final hurrah before settling down to climb the ladder in their chosen profession. But there are many different ways to go on a career break. You can choose to volunteer for a cause, take part in responsible tourism, or help out with animal conservation.
A career break may take place just after university and some people choose to have a final year [or few months] abroad to immerse in a different culture and to gain practical life experience. If you are thinking of a career in animal conservation, working with animals in Africa can be a boost to your career and something substantial to place on your resume. Career break and gap year specialists can help you right from the planning stage - you can stay as little as two weeks or live the life in Africa for a year. If you really want, it's easy to fit a career break into your life. Why not give yourself permission to live your dreams?
Working with animals can mean more than staying in a conservation park and watching the big cats yawn. It can also mean witnessing the legendary shark migration off the coasts of Africa, or working with cheetah conservationists to understand an endangered species.
Volunteer Possibilities
If you balk at the idea of seeing the big cats but are absolutely passionate about education, there are many volunteer opportunities available for the sports coach, the teacher, the passionate reader and the artist.
Make your mark and make a difference by volunteering to teach children in the classroom or on the football field. Working with the community is a wonderful way to experience African culture first hand. Coaching abroad can be a great boost to a sports coaching or physical education career. It can also be a worthwhile experience during summers off or between semesters.
If you find yourself dreading the school break, why not spend a few months teaching literacy in Ghana? You already have the experience, so why not share your talent and passion? You can make a lifelong impact by enhancing curriculums and living amongst underprivileged African communities.
There are many ways to experience a career break in Africa. It does not matter if you dream about working with animals or watching your student score a goal under the African sun. What matters are the experiences you will have and the knowledge you will share. Now is the time to experience your career break - gap years are not just for students, they are for adults too. If you feel that your day-to-day is bleak and boring and you're cut out for something much more, Africa is waiting for you.
Animal conservation is not just a passion shared by young people. Many older adults are looking to find ways to help preserve the Earth through small or large individual contributions - some find fulfillment helping to educate by sharing their knowledge. Working with animals in Africa may seem like an impossible dream but many mature age adults have done it - and you can too! If you have always dreamed of seeing an African sunset, or spending the night in a savannah with nothing but the stars over your head, what better time than now?
The Career Break
Many adults go on gap years or "career breaks" early on or between shifting careers. Others may go on a final hurrah before settling down to climb the ladder in their chosen profession. But there are many different ways to go on a career break. You can choose to volunteer for a cause, take part in responsible tourism, or help out with animal conservation.
A career break may take place just after university and some people choose to have a final year [or few months] abroad to immerse in a different culture and to gain practical life experience. If you are thinking of a career in animal conservation, working with animals in Africa can be a boost to your career and something substantial to place on your resume. Career break and gap year specialists can help you right from the planning stage - you can stay as little as two weeks or live the life in Africa for a year. If you really want, it's easy to fit a career break into your life. Why not give yourself permission to live your dreams?
Working with animals can mean more than staying in a conservation park and watching the big cats yawn. It can also mean witnessing the legendary shark migration off the coasts of Africa, or working with cheetah conservationists to understand an endangered species.
Volunteer Possibilities
If you balk at the idea of seeing the big cats but are absolutely passionate about education, there are many volunteer opportunities available for the sports coach, the teacher, the passionate reader and the artist.
Make your mark and make a difference by volunteering to teach children in the classroom or on the football field. Working with the community is a wonderful way to experience African culture first hand. Coaching abroad can be a great boost to a sports coaching or physical education career. It can also be a worthwhile experience during summers off or between semesters.
If you find yourself dreading the school break, why not spend a few months teaching literacy in Ghana? You already have the experience, so why not share your talent and passion? You can make a lifelong impact by enhancing curriculums and living amongst underprivileged African communities.
There are many ways to experience a career break in Africa. It does not matter if you dream about working with animals or watching your student score a goal under the African sun. What matters are the experiences you will have and the knowledge you will share. Now is the time to experience your career break - gap years are not just for students, they are for adults too. If you feel that your day-to-day is bleak and boring and you're cut out for something much more, Africa is waiting for you.
