As a youth development charity, we at Lattitude Global Volunteering believe there are so many benefits from taking a gap year and doing a worthwhile volunteering placement. We spend a lot of time ensuring that our placements deliver the educational benefits young people should receive whilst on a long term, structured placement. From growing confidence and building social skills to learning a language and developing new skills such as presentation, communication, time management and initiative,
Learning to live in and adapt to a new culture, working in a new community and spending a long period of time in a country and culture different from their own may change your son/daughter’s perspective and outlook on life, making them more open minded, independent and resourceful, all transferable skills for later life and good preparation for the ‘real world’.
For some young people, doing a gap year might just make them more sure of what they want to go on and do, whether that be a particular course at university or a particular career. Taking a break from education might but just what your son/daughter needs to push them in the right direction and help benefit their future.
We, at Lattitude Global Volunteering, also support your son/daughter even on their return from their placement. All volunteers are invited to a Debrief session where they can meet fellow returned volunteers, share their experience, learn about reverse culture shock and also hear about other opportunities such as our Partnership Scheme. The sessions we run are aimed at reflecting upon the volunteers’ experience and how to get the best out of it in the future.
