Open-Ended, Independent Service, and Language Study Programs
Gap for Good programs are culturally immersive and affordable. They can be a great way to explore new places, make new friends, work on service projects, and experience life in a place entirely different from the world you know. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live and work abroad, not as part of a student group, but as a member of the community, then consider joining a Gap for Good program. You will have a chance to live in our favorite host communities and enjoy the benefits of our extensive network of staff, friends, and family. Be prepared to live and work independently, as these programs are often best suited for students who have spent some time abroad before. Our local staff will help you get settled in and meet the people who will help you carry out your service work. They will be there to help you when necessary, but you will need to be self-motivated and make every effort to actively engage with the local community. The highlight of your stay is likely to be the new friends you make. Gap for Good
Gap for Good programs begin and end on any Thursday from September 5, 2013 to May 29, 2014, so fitting them into your busy schedule is easy. You can join from two weeks up to nine months and choose from placements in six different locations. Connecting these less structured programs to more structured Gap Semesters and Gap Year Blocks can give you a nice change of pace. Another great feature of these programs is that they are very inexpensive and will allow you to stay overseas for an extended period of time on a modest budget. If you want total control of your schedule and plans, but recognize the value of having local connections and a safe place to call home, Gap for Good programs may be ideal for you.
Potential projects include teaching and tutoring English and other subjects (proficiency in the local language may be necessary in some cases), teaching computer skills, working in early childhood education, helping at a special needs school, volunteering in a national park, distributing health information, and much more. Please be ready to embrace life in an unfamiliar culture, be a self-motivator, and give from your heart to make life better for others. You will never be alone, but you may not always have the company of fellow program participants. You must be able to embrace the challenges presented by linguistic and cultural differences. You will receive an orientation, help setting up your service projects, a simple but comfortable place to stay, and two meals per day. A local staff member will be on hand to assist you when needed, but you will not receive the same levels of guidance and supervision that are part of Gap Semesters and Gap Year Blocks. For mature and well-prepared students, this is an exceptional opportunity and perhaps an ideal arrangement, but others may wish to join a more structured program such as a Block or Semester.
Questions: gap@rusticpathways.com
