If you want to take a gap year that provides you with fun and exciting new experiences, but also gives you a real sense of meaning and purpose, then you might want to combine seeing the sights and having adventures with making a meaningful contribution in the world. Many people see their gap year as their opportunity to make an impact on a community by signing up as a volunteer abroad and really making a difference.
There are many volunteering opportunities available for you to be a part of on your gap year, depending on what sort of work you want to do. These opportunities range from working to rebuild communtities as a community volunteer, teaching English in deprived areas or getting involved in wildlife conservation. Whatever you choose to do, make sure it means something special to you, as it will mean so much to the people and communities that you help during your gap year.
Check out our trips below, or read more about Meaningful Travel »
Doing something meaningful within a community can be an immensely rewarding way to spend your gap year. Help out as an orphanage volunteer and work with kids, bringing meaning into your life and theirs as you bond with chidren from deprived areas of the world who haven't had the best start in life.
One of the ways you can do something meaningful on your gap year is to become a volunteer teacher and ensure the education of future generations across the globe. You could teach abroad with children and give them the advantage of becoming multilingual, or just bring the basics of education into underprivileged communities by teaching kids in Africa and giving them a great start in life.
Helping to conserve some of the world's most wonderful wildlife is another way to make your gap year a meaningful experience. There are so many valuable volunteer projects out there that need your help and support and animals that are in desperate need of protection and care. Become a wildlife sanctuary volunteer in South Africa and meet the Big Five up close, or head off to Latin America and lose yourself in the lush landscape as you encounter endangered species, become eco-conscious and protect the environment and rehabilitate rescued animals on a wildlife project.;
Having a meaningful gap year means not only do you get to see the world, but you get to make a difference too. Working closely alongside a community, you will integrate with locals and their society in a way that passing visitors wouldn't, gaining a unique insight into a new and diverse culture. You'll create unforgettable memories and make some new friends for life along the way! By spending your gap year volunteering, you will ensure that you leave your mark and make the most of the chance for some meaningful travel.
2-4 weeks from €1.220
4.5 7Volunteer on a big 5 game reserve and explore the Garden Route
Looking for the perfect combination of volunteer work and fancy-free travel? Well you just found it. 1 - 2 weeks volunteering on an award-winning game reserve (with the Big 5), plus the best of the Garden Route - living the dream!
4-6 weeks from €2.135
Help protect this unique marine environment
Stay on an unspoilt island in stunning Madagascar and live and work on an amazing marine conservation project for 4 - 12 weeks.
14-42 days from €975
Help to protectsome of the most amazing animals in the world
Spend 14 - 42 days volunteering on one of South Africa's most exciting Big 5 game reserves, in the heart of the African bush. Get hands on experience with the most incredible wildlife and spend your weekends exploring the wonders of the Garden Route.
2-12 weeks from €1.195
Hospital & clinic experience in beautiful Sri Lanka
See whether a career in medicine is right for you with real-life experience in a range of medical settings in southern Sri Lanka (no previous medical experience required).
2-6 weeks from €1.342
Help care for some of Africa's amazing wildlife
Spend 2 - 6 weeks volunteering at an amazing wildlife sanctuary in Namibia. Loads of hands-on experience and accommodation and meals included.
30 trips
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