South Africa - Top Destination for Structured Gap Year

Date added: Monday 4th July 2011

For the fourth year in succession South Africa has topped the list as the most popular destination for structured gap year programmes according to research carried out by Year Out Group, the association of leading gap year organizations.  Thailand quickly recovered its place in the Top 10 once the security situation returned to normal, while Ecuador is the only South American country to feature in the list and India has gained ground.  The Top 10 destinations are set out in the following table together with the previous positions.

Richard Oliver, Chief Executive of Year Out Group, comments, "South Africa's enduring popularity stems from the diverse nature of the country and the availability of a wide range of suitable and worthwhile projects.  These projects range from conservation work in the many public and private game parks, a variety of teaching placements, many opportunities to coach sports and volunteering in health centres and orphanages including HIV/Aids awareness programmes.  These projects can last from a few weeks to a whole year.  South Africa is also seen as a comparatively safe destination, there are plentiful flights and the cost of living is good value."

Canada has consolidated its position in the Top 3.  There are now several more organizations offering winter sports activities ranging from ski and surfboard instructor courses that invariably lead to offers of paid work as an instructor on completion of the course, which is an attractive proposition in difficult economic times. For those that wish to venture further into the mountains there is now the possibility to train as a mountain leader. The companies are also making good use of the facilities in the summer months: as mountain biking increases in popularity so does the demand for instructors and the Canadian countryside provides the ideal testing ground to gain the necessary skills and experience.

India is gaining in popularity as discerning British and international students and graduates seek to learn more about this rapidly developing country.  There is no better way to experience the culture of a country and learn about its customs than to take up a voluntary work placement.  The longer the placement, the greater the understanding gained and the more beneficial the experience for both the volunteer and the host organization.

Thailand has always been a popular gap year destination but it dropped out of favour in 2009 owing to the poor security situation in Bangkok and many other parts of the country.  As it happened no placements had to be cancelled because of the troubled situation and all were available throughout but safety is an important factor when planning a gap year and many of those considering a gap year while the troubles were in the press decided to steer clear of Thailand and go elsewhere.  Now the country is back in favour.

Currently the situation in North Africa and the Middle East is not affecting gap year projects as these areas have not traditionally been popular destinations.  The main factor affecting those planning a gap year is cost and particularly the cost of flights and the impact of additional taxes on flying, especially.  It will be interesting to see if this affects the popularity of Fiji, Australia and New Zealand when this survey is conducted next year.

A Factsheet containing illustrative programs in each of these 10 countries.

Year Out Group is a not for profit organisation whose 38 members are specialist gap year providers that comply with a Code of Practice and strict membership criteria.  For further information, advice and a full list of members, please call Year Out Group on 01380 816696 or visit www.yearoutgroup.org.

ENDS - 4 July 2011

Note to Editors: The research covers over 49,000 people who completed placements with Year Out Group member organizations in more than 90 countries in 2010/11.

Press: For further information, to interview Richard Oliver, Chief Executive of Year Out Group, or to obtain case studies and photography of placements please call Richard Oliver on 01380 816696, 07974 816947 or e-mail rao@yearoutgroup.org.