| Choosing the country that you want to visit on your | | | | Sri Lanka is also a place you won't forget in a hurry. |
| year out is almost as difficult as choosing your gap | | | | Kenya |
| year projects. Luckily there are a number of countries | | | | If you want to spend plenty of time on your gap year |
| that always provide students with a fantastic gap year | | | | projects just monkeying around, then look no further |
| experience. We refer to these countries as the big | | | | than Kenya. The Colobus Trust is a primate |
| five and you'll be surprised when you discover which | | | | conservation sanctuary located on the coastal town of |
| countries they are: | | | | Diani. Not only can you help to care for monkeys on |
| India | | | | your year out, but you can also help build infrastructure |
| India has been popular with gappers and backpackers | | | | that helps the primate population even after you've |
| since the hippy trail first opened in the 1960s. | | | | gone home. You'll also have the chance to go out into |
| Nowadays it is still extremely popular with young | | | | the community and educate the locals on ethical issues |
| people seeking spirituality and looking for enlightenment | | | | surrounding primate conversation. The only thing wrong |
| on their gap year projects. Yoga retreats and ashram | | | | with gap year projects at the Colobus Trust, is that |
| stays can seem alluring but after a while | | | | you won't be able to take one of the monkeys home |
| around-the-clock meditation can get a little tiresome. | | | | with you. |
| We recommend mixing yoga camp with gap year | | | | Malawi |
| projects that give back to the community. If you dream | | | | Madonna might be a huge fan of this African country, |
| of white sands and brightly coloured saris, then Goa is | | | | but if you were born wild then chances are that you'll |
| ideal for you. You could help save turtles from the | | | | love it too! You can do so much on gap year projects |
| dangers of mass tourism at the scenic Galgibaga | | | | in Malawi and the country has three very different |
| beach or help out at the Cottiago wildlife sanctuary. | | | | projects based on your personal likes and dislikes. |
| Sri Lanka | | | | Budding Beckhams might want to spend their year out |
| With a very similar culture to India, there's no wonder | | | | teaching the locals ball skills that will help them develop |
| that scenic Sri Lanka made it onto our top five list. Sri | | | | their hand-eye co-ordination and provides a positive |
| Lanka offers lush vegetation, hotter curries than India | | | | form of recreation. If you're a real people person then |
| and it's probably the best place in the world to spot the | | | | you're probably better off spending your gap year |
| elusive leopard. Elephant lovers will also have trouble | | | | projects helping out in the community and teaching |
| finding a country better adapted for their favourite | | | | locals everything from AIDS awareness to craft skills. |
| pachyderms and, just as the elephant never forgets, | | | | |