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 Questions to ask
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Gap year placements: questions to ask

Important advice
Most gap year placements are organised by organisations or charities and, in some cases, they ask you for a lot of money to arrange them. Do not assume because they operate from a UK address or produce impressive brochures that everything will run smoothly. Some are good and some are not. So before you commit yourself, sign anything or hand over cash, check them out. Start by asking the following questions:

About travel
  • What are the travel arrangements? 48 hours on a bus without a toilet?!
  • If you have to return early, can you transfer your ticket?

    • About accommodation
  • Do you have the address of where you will be staying?
  • Have you been given a clear idea of the standard of accommodation?
  • If you are staying with a local family? Are they being paid? Why are they having you to stay?
  • How far are you from the nearest town?
  • How far are you from where you will work?
  • Is it safe e.g. is it near Chernobyl? Are the streets safe after work? Is it safe for a single woman/man? How volatile is the local political situation? (Click here >> for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's travel advice).

    • About the work
  • What hours will you work and how much free time will you have?
  • What opportunities are there for things to do in your free time?
  • If you expect to be paid, how much will you get and when? Weekly, monthly? In arrears?
  • If you're teaching, whom will you be teaching, how many in a class and what age range?
  • Will you be given any support materials, or will you be expected to take your own?
  • In some societies, women (including foreign visitors) have a subordinate role at work and at home. Could you cope with this?

    • About the organisation
  • What kind of insurance do they provide? Does it cover repatriation and personal injury? Have you seen a copy of the Policy?
  • Will there be an English-speaking representative of the organisation close by?
  • Will you be offered an induction or briefing course before you start work?
  • Will you receive adequate training for the work?

    • About the values of the organisation
  • If you are paying, where does the money go? How much goes on travel, accommodation, administration? Is it value for money?
  • If they are a charity, ask why?
  • Who is benefiting from the organisation?
  • Are the interests of the local population being served?
  • Will your activities be welcomed by the local people? If so, why?

    • If you receive too many vague or unsatisfactory answers to these questions, think twice about going, and do get in touch with us if you are at all concerned about the motives of any organisations. In the end of the day, it's your own choice, but as the buyer... beware!

    Three Golden Rules
  • Get everything in writing
  • Speak to someone who has been with the organisation within the past year
  • If in doubt, get in touch with us at gapyear.com

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