What to know before you go

Gap Years are a great idea and  there is no time to waste. X-CEL talks to the Richard Oliver at the Year Out Group who offers some top tips on what to ask before taking the plunge!

Look at who can take part and how they are selected:

Questions to ask:

• Age range of participants.
• Selection criteria - who are they looking for and what is the interview procedure?
• Choice of different programmes?
• Number of participants selected on each programme?

Look at who benefits from the programme:

Questions to ask:

• What will I gain from doing this?
• Will anyone else benefit from this placement apart from me?
• Why are UK young people needed on this and who asked for us to do it?
• Will the programme continue after I have left?

What exactly will I be doing?

Questions to ask:

• How has the programme been chosen and checked out?
• Has a representative of the sending organisation had a good look?
• Are the host organisations paid to take me? Do they pay me?
• What exactly will I be doing?
• Will I be alone, who will I be placed with?
• What can I expect in terms of accommodation and food? You will need to be realistic here and expect local food - not mouth-watering culinary delights.
• What is expected of me? 
• What will be my responsibilities?
• Do I have to sign anything?  Is there a written agreement between me and the organisation?

Money & The Organisation Low-Down

What's the cost?

Questions to ask:

• What is the precise programme cost and what does it cover?
• What is the recommended budget for extras?
• If I have to pay a deposit, is it refundable?
• When and how do I pay? What happens if I cancel?
• If I have to raise funds, does the organisation give advice?

The Organisation

Ask how it operates. Make sure it is right for you in terms of type and length of programme

Questions to ask:

• Why does the organisation exist? How long has it been around?
• Is it a partnership, private company, public company, registered charity, sole trader or other? Where is it registered?
• Examples of successful programmes and a chat to past participants can shed a lot of light very quickly and easily on whether you feel the programme is right for you.
• What if there is an emergency?  Does the organisation have sufficient funds to cope with emergencies?
• What are the organisation's policies on Equal Opportunities?

Before, During and After

Before you go:

Questions to ask:

• Who is responsible for travel arrangements?  This includes travel visas and work permits!
• Who provides insurance and what is included in the cover? Health, possessions, cancellation and repatriation? 
• What about inoculations and health precautions? Help and advice please!
• How about training and pre-departure briefing - do I get any of that?

During your placement:

Ask about support and safety whilst on your placement:

Questions to ask:

• Who is the person responsible for me at the programme location?
• Where is the nearest representative of the organisation?
• What if there is a major emergency - can somebody deal with this and get me home?
• If I have a problem with my placement, can I chat to somebody?
• What is included in the living arrangements? Who selects and checks out the accommodation?
• If staying with host families, are they paid or are they volunteers?

After your return:

Ask about  Debriefing:

• Will the organisation have any contact with me when I return?
• Can my experience be of any use to future participants?
• Will I get a reference or certificate, indeed anything to prove that I was actually there and completed the programme?
• Will I be debriefed?