YourThaiPlanet.com

If you're lucky enough to be taking a gap year before university, but aren't yet sure where you want to go or what you want to do, why not turn your attention to Thailand? Ever a favourite with young travellers, Thailand opens Western eyes to a whole new world of culture, tradition and environment. Few people are able to return from Thailand without raving about something or other that they have experienced, so go ahead and jump on the bandwagon! Here are a few ideas of things that you can do during a gap year in Thailand:

If you like the idea of giving something back to the community whilst you travel around Thailand, there are many ways to do so. For example, many gap year students look into teaching as a way to experience Thai culture whilst also earning a little money during their travels. In order to do this you'll need to get yourself a TEFL qualification, but they are provided by many institutions now and come in all shapes and forms. Then all you need to do is search for a school. Some travellers choose to teach in small, rural villages where the pay is less but the experience is much more like being part of a community; others head for bigger towns where they can get more professional development and more money.

If kids aren't your cup of tea, there are other volunteering opportunities to be had that will help you give something back to the community. Animal lovers can find sanctuaries and organisations that take volunteers on to help care for and rescue wild animals, from elephants to kittens. And for those who want to do something within a Thai community, why not search for projects on sites like gapyear.com? There are often experiences to be had such as working in local orphanages, or helping the ill or injured.

There are, of course, those who don't have much interest in volunteering during their gap year, and whose main aim is to travel and see the country. And why not? It can be helpful to do your research beforehand, however, to work out what you want to see and do in particular. Companies like Lonely Planet can be great at giving you tips for the hot spots, whilst many organisations also run tours of different regions if you don't want to do the planning yourself.

A long trip around Thailand can certainly make a dent in your bank account balance, so be sure to save where you can when you're in the planning stages. Pick up cheap flights to Thailand from companies like DialAFlight, and be sure to get a good deal on travel insurance. Then just sit back, relax, and enjoy your once in a lifetime experience!

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