Gap Year Programs for 2012 International Volunteers Offered in 30 Countries

Sept. 1, 2011 - PRLog -- 2012 Gap Year Programs for International Volunteers Offered in 30 Countries

Volunteers may enroll now to start in January or August of 2012. Modest program fee covers food, lodging, training, support, and stipend. Latin America, Asia, Africa, More.

BOSTON, MA, September 1, 2011- As many people consider a break in their lives – from school, between schools, from careers – they explore options for “Gap Year” programs. Such programs may run more or less than a year, and may involve traveling, working, volunteering, taking classes, learning a language – and more!

Many people, of all ages, are increasingly finding the joys and benefits of a volunteer abroad program during a gap year. United Planet, based in Boston, is the U.S. and Canadian arm of International Cultural Youth Exchange, which has been placed many thousands of young people in volunteer abroad gap year programs in dozens of countries around the world over the last 60 years. United Planet is currently enrolling young people (18-30) for programs starting in January and August of 2012.

United Planet offers programs that last either 6 months or 12 months; in countries from Austria to Uganda. Volunteers work in a wide variety of projects: from organic farms to homeless shelters to facilities for the disabled to orphanages – and much more. They meet other volunteers from all over the world; get to know the culture and language; and become part of the life of the community.

“United Planet was founded with the mission of increasing cross-cultural understanding as a means toward a more peaceful world,” says Dave Santulli, found and executive director of United Planet. “Our Long-term programs offer the best opportunity for someone to engage with the world, and make a positive difference. You don’t just travel through; you don’t drop by for a week; for months, you live with the people and work in a real community project. You get to know the food, the smells, the jokes, the family dynamic. It’s a wonderful experience, and we urge everyone to try it at least once.”

Volunteers regularly return to explain how the program changed their lives forever. A recently returned volunteer, Sydney Yovic, had this to say about her trip: “My experience in Chile was like a vacation for my soul. I did a lot of work and found myself very tired at the end of the day, but I enjoyed every single minute of it.”  

Another volunteer who spent six months in Indonesia reported: “I think the most important thing I took home from my journey was the cross-cultural experiences and exchanging of ideas and knowledge. It’s now clearer to me than ever that to create a better world we need to foster respect, understanding and acceptance between people of different cultures, different ethnicities and different backgrounds.”

Prices begin as low as $5,465 (for six months); even for a year in a European country (such as Switzerland), the price is under $10,000. The fee covers extensive pre-departure training, food and lodging in the host country, Emergency Medical Insurance, and much more!

For more information about United Planet Gap Year programs:
http://www.unitedplanet.org/volunteer-abroad/long-term

Over the past ten years, United Planet has worked with local communities all over the world to find meaningful work for volunteer travelers; and has placed thousands of volunteers in those communities to live and work – for periods ranging from a week to a year. United Planet is the U.S. and Canadian member of the International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) Federation, founded in 1949.

For further information, please contact
Mary Babic   |   mary@unitedplanet.org   |   800-292-2316

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Based in Boston, MA, United Planet is a non-profit organization that seeks to build a better world through cross-cultural understanding.

Over the past ten years, United Planet has worked with local communities all over the world to find meaningful work for volunteer travelers; and has placed thousands of volunteers in those communities to live and work – for periods ranging from a week to a year.

United Planet is the U.S. and Canadian member of the International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) Federation, founded in 1949.