Lattitude Global Volunteering (formerly known as GAP) is an international youth development charity. We started in the UK in 1972, so we now have 40 years’ experience sending young volunteers overseas.
In 2012, we will send our 40,000th volunteer on one of our fully-supported programs in 18 countries. Our mission is to develop ‘Global Citizens’ by offering young people challenging, structured volunteering experiences in different countries and cultures.
We believe in the adaptability and creativity of young people and their power to drive positive cultural change. By travelling, young people become more aware of their responsibilities towards themselves and others, while learning important life skills. And as a by-product, the increased cross-cultural, international exchange and collaboration, foster a broader understanding between different cultures – and in a globalized world this can only be a good thing.
Although we have the word ‘Volunteering” in our title, that is not our main goal: It is the young volunteers who are the focus of our activities.
Our purpose is to inspire change, growth and maturity in young people by giving them the opportunity to take on adult responsibilities in other countries. They work as volunteers in a variety of jobs. So change is our goal; volunteering is how it happens; and the benefits they bring or the ‘good works’ these young people do are the result.
A vital part of this is the time they spend overseas. Many companies offer short-term gigs (3-4 weeks) doing ‘community work’ overseas, and for some young people that is a good introduction to the international world.
But we see the Lattitude program differently: the change we seek to inspire comes when volunteers become part of the local community and are no longer seen as temporary visitors. Our shortest program (Vietnam) is almost four months, most other placements last six months, and we have others in the UK, Australia and New Zealand that last 11 months. These long-term volunteering programs are in both developed and developing countries, with food and accommodation provided. There are a wide variety of work-types: assisting in schools, outdoor education, community care, medical and environmental placements.
There are no academic barriers to our programs – the only requirement is that the volunteer will benefit from the experience and will not do damage to the program. That said, we only accept those who have finished high school (note: even if they have not graduated).
Many school-leavers are still unsure of what studies or career they want to pursue, so immersing themselves in a different culture during their ‘Gap Year’ gives them a chance to reflect on what they might be interested in doing. However, for others at university or college, a Lattitude program might be related to their course of study (we provide international Co-op placements for the University of Victoria, and Capilano University provides course credits for Lattitude alumni).
Our programs are supported by many parties including the many universities who allow students to defer their guaranteed place for a year. Experience has shown them that students who take a Gap Year are likely to be more mature and motivated and will achieve better results than those who transferred straight from Grade 12. And the benefits continue into the world of work: those with extended international volunteering in their CV stand out among other applicants with future employers.
For more information and to download an application form, visit our website www.lattitudecanada.org
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thanks a lot
merci
Hi! I have a question.
The prices are in Canadian dollars or USD dollars?