Want to see the world?

By Ciara O'Kelly

A wise man once said: "The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." As more and more young Irish people travel the world, we investigate the chapter of their lives known as the gap year.

For many of today's younger generation, graduate and Master's degrees are a given, high-powered jobs are a natural progression and, somewhere along the line, taking a year out appears to be the norm. However, are these gap years just a socially acceptable excuse to avoid responsibility or do they really have their benefits?

Ask anyone about their experience travelling around the world and, nine times out of 10, they will tell you they had the time of their life. Not only is it great fun, you get to experience different countries, cultures and people from all walks of life. However, sooner or later, you have to come home and someone will ask about your year out. Career advisers suggest you should enjoy your time but also paint your year out in a positive light. Instead of backpacking aimlessly, prepare for potential employers and show how it benefitted you as a person. The way to do this by careful planning.

Plan, plan, plan

Before you even think about leaving, planning is essential. Careful research ensures your gap year is a successful one. You should have a clear understanding of where exactly you are going to go and what you are going to do. However, research doesn't need to be boring or stressful. There are so many options available that planning is just the start of the fun.

Gap years vary hugely in their length and the variety. Some people embark on a trip around the world, others work overseas while action-packed adventures in the great outdoors suit the wilder spirits. Voluntary placements continue to be a popular choice. More and more people work on worthwhile projects such as helping develop farming techniques in underprivileged areas and supplying medical care to orphans.

Lattitude Global Volunteering (formally known as Gap Activity Projects) has been sending young people on placements around the world for over 35 years and is recommended by volunteers throughout the country.

Lattitude ensures volunteers are placed where they are really needed and do not displace the local workforce. "Volunteers are supported from start to finish," says Dominique Peart, Programme Manager in Ireland. "All applicants are interviewed to make sure they are placed on projects they would enjoy, and where their own personal skills are most valued."

Once on placement, there is regular support from the charity. "We have an emergency phone line which is valued for security reasons," Dominique explains.

Cliona white

Cliona White from Dingle in Co Kerry has travelled with Lattitude twice. In September 2001, she went to Israel for six months and in January of last year she volunteered in South Africa. "The most amazing aspects of volunteering is not just helping out but getting to live among the people. You get to see places that tourists never go to." Although Cliona didn't come home to study, she claims she has learned a lifelong lesson. "I've attended the university of life and have learned about the world in a way that can't be explained in books."

Parents' view

While young travellers see the world, how do parents feel about their adventures in lands unknown? Mike and Mary Magan from Longford have two children who travelled the world. Son Michael travelled around Asia, Australia and farmed in New Zealand. Daughter Rachel is on the Inca Trail, having just finished travelling Mexico and Cuba.

"Any parent that has a child travelling around the world is a bit concerned," says Mike. "However, Rachel has two friends travelling with her which puts our minds at ease." Rachel was also very organised about her plans. She is travelling with a company called Trailfinders and has supplied her parents with a copy of her itinerary.

Mike explains "On the whole, parental concern does not overshadow the amazing experience we know she is having."

So, wherever and whatever you decide, make sure you plan carefully, make the most of your time away and, most importantly, have a ball!

Taking a year out- Advantages

• A break from studying. The break can give you more motivation to succeed.
• It can enhance your CV.
• Experience of new cultures, skills and languages.
• Greater self-confidence and maturity.
• Volunteer work can be very rewarding.

- Disadvantages

• It can put finances under strain.
• Finding a good placement may be difficult without special skills.
• Students might not be able to cope with the emotional strain of voluntary work.
• Employers may not be impressed with your choice of activity during the year out.

More information

• To travel with Lattitude, contact Dominique Peart on 01 6288332 or check out www.lattitude.co.uk
• To travel with Trailfinders, check out www.trailfinders.ie