Gap Year Programs for Grown-Ups
Although by tradition a gap year is meant as a break for pre-university or university level students to take in between their studies, nowadays, this is no longer the case. When we take a closer look at the age group of people participating in gap year programs, only 35% of the participants are school leavers. This suggests that around 65% of the gap year participants are actually adults of varying ages. The fact is the adult gap year program has always been around – we just classified it differently.
The Adult Gap Year
When we talk about an adult gap year, we are actually referring to the ‘time out’ that an adult takes in between his or her various life stages. The length of time does not specifically last for a year. For some, the gap year may represent a break of a just a few weeks; for others, it may stretch to a few years. We all have heard of people who quit their job or sold their business, packed everything up and then set off to travel the world. The idea is actually the same as taking a career break. The main objective of a person taking an adult gap year is really about having enough time to get out of one’s comfort zone and find the peace of mind to refocus on the priorities of their lives.
South Africa Gap Year Conservation Programs
Nowadays, there many gap year programs to cater for anyone with an adventurous spirit. The most popular programs are usually those which focus on wildlife conservation and volunteer work focused on community development. Recently, especially after the hosting of the World Cup by South Africa, the “Rainbow Nation” has proven to be one of the most popular destinations that the adult gappers are heading to. Not surprisingly, many gap year programs are geared towards wildlife conservation projects located in the country.
South Africa, apart from its diversity in culture, also has one of the richest collections of fauna and flora in the world. The Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in the world. Home to the “Big 5″ game, it has also proven to be the most popular safari destination for the many visitors that visit the continent.
So, why should the enjoyment of these spectacular opportunities to help be confined to students? Regardless of whether you are on a career break, taking unpaid leave or retiring, taking a gap year holiday in South Africa is guaranteed to be a life changing experience – and one you can take at any time of your life.
Mark Bottell is the General Manager for Worldwide Experience, an online tour operator offering extended breaks on gap year and other wildlife conservation holidays for adults.
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