Yes, we now say goodbye to 2011 and completely said hello to 2012. If 2011 was the year to which we enjoyed lots of things related to gap year activities, this year 2012 is going to be another year to which we can enjoy more, choose options for more, and select destinations more.

That’s why gap year takers are considering lots of programs hit for this year. Have you considered gap year learning on third world countries? You can avail and absorb in countries that does not only need you but surprisingly you need them too. Progressive countries are not the only options where you can have quality learning, you know. When it comes to gap year, especially when it pertains to adult gap year options, third world countries are suitable options. You will not just get to maximize your physical, emotional, and even leadership skills here since your work force is more applicable, it will also make these countries to you as inspirations on how, manually and gradually, they live their lives to the fullest.

If you are more looking for more options, perhaps gap year adventure is also a choice you want to avail. And when it comes to adventure, the least chosen countries are often the most enjoyable ones instead. Countries like Nepal, Cambodia, Thailand, and other Asian countries have lots of adventure options that other modern countries do not have.

How about gap year volunteering? Have you considered this option as well? Of course, Europe is a primary option for those who want the metropolitan and more comfortable side of volunteering. But if you really want to make your volunteering more wholesome and worthwhile, third world countries are more for an option. Just like how countries from different parts of the world render their time and finances to the Philippines when a tropical storm hit some of its localities. It was a very devastating experience, but it wasn’t that hard for the Asian country to recover. Lots of people volunteered, and lots of them took the time and the money to share what they have, and that’s the essence of volunteering.

So no matter what option you have thought to avail for a gap year program this 2012, always consider that gap year will never be counted as something that is not important. Whether it could be a gap year travel, learning, or volunteering, it will always be counted as a year counted importantly in your life.

What could possibly happen when we choose to take gap year on third world countries? Would it give more benefits to us gap year takers? Would it make our credentials more uplifted compared to gap years taken on developed countries? Some youngsters don’t really get so interested to have a gap year learning on these countries. They assume that it will only be more physically tiring and exhausted when they go to these developing countries.

Is taking gap year on third world countries an opportunity to learn or a heavier burden to bear?

We all know that the most common destination for those who want to take gap year—even adult gap year as well—end up in Europe. When it comes to opportunities, Europe has indeed lots to offer. Moreover, most gap year organizers arrange gap year on countries situated in Europe. In other words, Europe is the greenest pasture a gap year taker can avail of.

While Europe is considered the greenest pasture, the third countries may be considered to be not the greenest at all. Here, gap year takers will definitely labor more as they receive less; their accommodation may not be that comfortable as they expect it to be; they may wake up earlier and sleep later; meet more indigent people; strive harder; etc. you can already expect that the work you will render in these countries are more laborious compared to “the greener pasture”.

But you know what, if your real motive of taking gap year always wraps up to rendering service without necessarily thinking of all your effort spent, you will not hesitate to have your gap year in these developing countries. In fact, this is going to bean opportunity where you can touch other people’s lives as you help them without necessarily demanding something in return. That’s the heart of a true and sincere person’ thinking others above himself.

So if you are someone who is hesitatingly deciding to avail a gap year opportunity on third world countries, I guarantee you; your labor is never counted in vain.

Have you or have you not been decisive to take gap year jobs? You might have heard of the many advantages and testimonials these gap year opportunities have given to students who decided to step out of the unknown and discover great things that their own country and culture has not provided.

At the same time, you must have also heard of the negative feedbacks gap year has done for selected students and how money, time, and also effort were turned out for nothing. You also might have known the core reason why some countries banned gap year due to their economical or national reasons.

So which is really the best option? Is it really that advisable to take gap year jobs? Let us know the various pros and cons so we can have a concrete evaluation.

According to a source, taking a gap year is not generally a good idea if you are intending to study in the US. It is not also suitable if you want to study Mathematics. Indeed, there are lesser opportunities in the United States when it comes to gap year.

However, in Europe, you can consider them worthwhile if well planned since UK universities are acknowledging it. In addition, if a student applies to the UK in 2005 and defer his or her entry, they will not be required to pay the top up fee due to be introduced for 2006 entrants. Since this is Europe, Dutch universities have also no problems at all.

“During the past 3 year, one in six ISSE graduate has opted for a gap year (a year where studies are suspended). The consensus among educators is that a well thought through gap year can be a real asset on a CV demonstrating a commitment to a future career or study choice.” A post clarified.

In addition, supports this pro by Anthony McClaren, the Chief Executive of UCAS. He said: “We at UCAS believe that by adding the experience of a planned year out to their qualifications students actively improve their chances of successfully completing a course. Quite simply experience complements education.” That is why it is not a surprise that most gap year opportunities are operated by UK-based companies.

So, if you have decided to take a gap year, make sure that you are futuristic about it. You should understand that this is an opportunity that can give you advantages with your college and soon-to-be professional career.

Which is honestly more preferable to take your suitable gap year programs: in a third world or in a first world country? If you really want to make your experience worth remembering and applying when you proceed to your prospected career, surely you would prefer first world countries.

But as far as need and availability is concerned, it is in fact, more preferable to choose third world countries. We will know the following reasons as we read further.

A forum posted about a gap year taker who honestly didn’t regret taking his gap year in a third world country. For a couple of months, he has spent his time traveling to Africa, Hong Kong, India, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, OZ and New Zealand. He has also gone to Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina and Brazil. That’s a lot of country a person could travel in a month right? Well anyway, of all those countries he has gone to, he has spent more time on the third world countries. He said in his post: “I wanted to see for myself how life is compared to mine, to meet the people and experience their food & culture etc – I’ve been blown away by what I’ve seen and experienced!

Let me post the rest of his statements because these are honestly strong points. Here it goes.

I’ve observed the people in the 3rd world countries and looked at the differences to how people are back home and in other 1st world countries and I was really impressed by the way they cope and just get on with whatever challenge has been thrown at them such as poverty, HIV/Aids, Genocide (Rwanda – to read and see the documentations of what happened back in 1994 was very sad and upsetting, its well worth the visit to see the Genocide Museum in Rwanda to see for yourself the devastation that happened), being an orphan at a very early age, looking after the orphaned children on minimal resources (due to lack of funds and the lack of support from their government), these people just get on with life in the best way possible.

Based on first impressions and including myself, all of the people I’ve asked all answered 3rd world and with so many good reasons as well, some common reasons are, how life is less complicated, it would appear that they’re generally happier than us with what they have compared to how we are and with what we have, they are more willing to help other people without complaint (or a fee!) and, they all appreciate the things that they have no matter how basic or simple it is.
I also understand that most people who rated 3rd world would not be able to live long without certain influences from the 1st world way such as credit cards, convenient food, own transport etc so what is it that’s so appealing to the 3rd world way of life? Happiness? Almost a relaxed lifestyle? The way of living??

Its amazing to see that we have almost everything we need to give us happiness in life, how we take things for granted such as cars, TV, IPods, digital cameras, food & drink, clothing and much more besides but do we really appreciate it?

Which way of life do you prefer?

Remember: one of the reasons why we take gap year learning is not just necessarily for our own benefits. Sometimes, we tend to be takers rather than givers when it comes to gap year opportunities.

If we only look closer to the real essence of having a gap year, it’s actually the third world countries that will benefit once we chose them as the place to be rendered with our service. The little or big assistance that we give to them is unfathomable compared to the things we could receive. Bear this in mind.

Gap year News: The Thai embassy in Vientiane no lounger accepts 60 day tourists visa from applicants who have been stamped 3 times on their passport. This initiative have been implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to further prevent non genuine travelers from settling into Thailand and making it home for a certain period. There are also suspicions that tourists who are travelling and staying their permanently are also working their illegally.

The Ministry also calls out to all Thai embassies around the world to refuse any visa application if they sense or fear misuse and possible act of visa manipulation. However, the 60 day tourist visa is still available and a 30 day extension is added but there will be an additional Bt 1,900.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised travelers that instead of applying over and over again for a traveling visa, those who are planning to stay permanently at Thailand should apply for long term residency visa. Long term tourists such as students on a gap year travel, can apply for education visas, business visas, one year retirement visas for individuals 50 and above, and a a year marriage visa for Thai spouse.

Though other Thia embassies in South East Asian countries are not that strict when it comes to visa policy except Singapore which issuing second travel visas – six weeks after the actual travel. The Vientiane embassy is said to be the major authority of visa issuance in the region.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs tightens it’s control over illegal settlers in their nation which at present time killing their tourism industry.

Illegal Settlers

They are also termed as illegal aliens, illegal immigrants, clandestine workers, and sans papiers are individuals who have temporarily stayed at the country while violating the contracts and rights of immigration agreed upon when they signed for their visa and passports.

To be reminded an individual should follow the length of stay given for each type of visa. Gap year travelers should understand the visa they applied for to further avoid situations like this. though these immigrants may not be easily identified and located by country authorities -they won’t have the freedom to enjoy activities which are requiring legal processes and documentation- such as gap year learning and gap year volunteering. And mostly they are hiding and working less decently or even illegally because they are in a wanted state.

It would be better to travel with legal documents back and forth – isn’t it? You can enjoy your vacation or volunteering without worrying that cops will arrest you, and send you back home. it wouldn’t be worth a lifetime being banned from the country with just a little error coming from the individual -so let’s stay safe and legal to enjoy the vacation.

There are many gap year destinations a student can choose from; Europe, Canada, Middle East, and South America —but why should students plan gap year programs into the third world countries? Definitely, it would cheaper because of the economic status of these countries but underneath such elusive reason, there lies a great point on why should these countries be the main target for traveling.

Life is Different

In third world countries, there is much to know than what meets the eye, the lifestyle of most countries such as Cambodia, India, Philippines, and Thailand are not as luxurious as Western countries have — but people on these countries are more happier despite less favorable situations.

An example is Nepal, a psychologist once visited Nepal and he was amazed with the joyful life of most Nepalese. Mostly, he observed people living in small huts with their families inside. And one thing he noticed was the smile on faces of these people despite the grown poverty. There a lot of monks and locals who are meditating on mountains and finding their inner peace — “it’s really amazing” according to the psychologist.

Students on gap year program can learn from the contentment of these people — and the less strive for material wealth. They will find people and families who can live with simple needs and reflect that to them selves. The gap year in third world countries is an eye opener for most Western students.

The Culture is Definitely Varied

It is true that most of the third world countries have the similarities in culture which makes it very interesting to know about. Students who are deeply interested in world history will have many things to discover in these countries. Most Asian third world countries have similarities in belief, architectural design, and philosophies in life. Third world countries are also very festive in nature and have many holidays compared to the Western world.

Help is Very Needed

Deep down the smiling faces of these people, there is a bleeding heart of which they should not mind in every day of their lives. Children in Africa are caged with the long time tradition of not going to school – especially for women. Gap year teaching jobs are very common in African countries where education is less valued.

There are also volunteer organizations that are sending students to save Mother Nature – commonly known as eco-volunteering. Other parts of the globe are suffering from global warming and calamities brought by climate change. Most countries in Asia are part of the Pacific Ring of Eye, which gives them a lot of problems and calamities such as tsunami and ground breaking earthquakes – not even sparing developed countries such as Japan and New Zealand.

I never thought of going in a third World Country. I fear on stepping on its very land. But on my Gap year I traveled far toward this land to discover the bounty it has offered to many.

Third world countries are a less traveled destination. Besides on the poor economic growth on these countries there are various issues to be really afraid of. The war in these countries reaches out far to bring fear to people worldwide. I for one never thought of going in these countries.

Yet a reliable very close relative of our recommended one country that caters to gapers. These paths are less treaded for only a few of the outside world would dare invade such private and out far yet wonderful locations.

The place is full of green lush scenery and simplicity. I never ever thought that I could the freshest water coming out straight from mountain side. Or take a bath together with the carabaos. Yeah, carabaos! The same with water buffaloes!

I never thought that a disco rendezvous means a singer with a guitar and a bonfire. The natives’ jubilant singing and rocking dancing would really entice you to join in the fun. To my surprise they are singing the songs of famous artist like Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Rihanna. I never knew that the music of the Black Eyed Peas would be great songs in a guitar rhythm.

I never regretted such decision to go for the less traveled track.