Gap years 'give people the chance to do something worthwhile'

Gap years give young people the chance to do something worthwhile and experience a different culture and lifestyle at the same time, according to one expert.

Lattitude Global Volunteering, which is a charity specialising in volunteering for 17 to 25-year-olds, claimed that giving up a period of time to help people in different countries can be a rewarding experience before they dedicate their lives to employment.

Ben Clifton, spokesperson for Lattitude, said: "It gives young people an opportunity to get out and do something a bit different when they finish school.

"If you go into work you are going to be there for the best part of 40 years on average so it's a perfect opportunity, once you have finished at school and you've done all your exams, to actually take a bit of time out and do something worthwhile and experience something really different before starting on your university or your employment career."

Research published by STA Travel has revealed that despite the credit crunch young people are still looking at their year-long gap holiday as a wise investment.

Furthermore, most of those who undertake this kind of adventure expect to spend between £3,000 and £5,000 during it.

However, Mr Clifton said that taking a gap year does not have to be an expensive thing to do.

The expert explained that the cost of such a trip will depend on what kind of activities travellers sign up to do.

Lattitude, he explained, offers volunteers financial assistance through a number of bursary schemes.

"[Gap years] really don't have to cost the earth and that's not just going through us - there are a number of charitable organisations out there who run very reasonably priced gap year experiences," said Mr Clifton.

Travellers were also warned against commercial providers who often charge volunteers over the odds for their services.

Lattitude offered travellers a selection of tips to help them get the most out of their year out, including researching where they will be going and what they will be doing thoroughly before signing up to anything.

Gap year volunteers were also advised to budget for their trip properly, consider their safety when in foreign countries, plan ahead to make sure they do things during their time away which will look good on their c.v. and "go for it".

The charity said that a gap year can be "hugely satisfying" especially when travellers "really get stuck in".