Gap Year India
Why choose your Gap Year Adventure in India?
India is one of the most fascinating and beautiful countries you can visit during your gap year. Its vibrant scenery and culture are legendary, but so is its poverty. This is your opportunity to experience both sides of India - and to help.
Changing Worlds offers a range of voluntary placements in urban and rural settings in southern India. Many of our voluteers choose to help in orphanages or with social programmes. We also offer teaching placements in primary or secondary schools.
Those with appropriate experience can do a medical placement in a general or children's hospital. Alternatively, there are placements in business (sales and marketing), journalism, agriculture (water management) and conservation.
Life in India is tough and these placements can be challenging. But they are also extremely rewarding (look at the photos!). And, of course, you'll have the support of Changing Worlds' local representative. So, are you up for it...?
View the Changing Worlds site to see how much previous students have enjoyed their Gap Year India.
Where will my Gap Year Placement in India be?
Changing Worlds offers voluntary placements in rural or urban settings within the southern region of India. The orphanage and social care programmes are situated in and around the buzzing historical city of Chennai (Madras) and in the more rural areas of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka states.
Teaching placements are in primary and secondary schools in the beautiful hill town of Munnar in Kerala state. Medical placements are situated in the ancient city of Madurai, a centre of learning and pilgrimage.
Conservationists go to Koidakanal in the Palani hills, a glorious old hill station surrounded by wooded hills, waterfalls and rocky outcrops and situated close to the Annamalai wildlife sanctuary.
Placements for those interested in experiencing business (sales and marketing), journalism, agriculture (water management) are arranged in various locations. More information can be supplied on request.
What will I do on my Gap Year in India?
Those working in orphanages can expect to help with teaching the children, as well as numerous other duties. You will build special relationships with the boys and girls (aged 3-16 years). They are charming, cheerful and fun, but this work does require a great deal of patience and enthusiasm.
The orphanages are our most challenging placements in terms of basic living conditions and work. We advise volunteers to begin with a three-month placement, which can be extended to a maximum of six months (at no extra cost).
Those teaching in schools will be supporting full-time staff. All teaching is in English and may cover a variety of subjects. Teaching aids are limited so you will need to be resourceful. Outside the classroom you may choose to coach sport, drama, art or music.
Medical placements can be arranged in general and children's hospitals. These provide the chance to support hard-working staff doing a range of different jobs within the management hierarchy. Involvement in outreach programmes into the countryside is encouraged. A structured timetable would be agreed with the director of the hospital on arrival.
Placements in business (sales and marketing), journalism, agriculture and conservation can be arranged. These would provide valuable experience for those about to enter any one of these professions.
Other Gap Year Destinations:
