| There is apparently no such thing as a free lunch - so | | | | burning through the money they've earned. So, not |
| if that's the case, is there such a thing as a free gap | | | | free, but certainly a blast. For more details check out |
| year? The UK government launched a scheme last | | | | 3. Volunteering on a farm If you're hankering after the |
| week to provide funding for 500 dole-bound graduates | | | | simple life, how about working on an organic farm? |
| to head off on a 'free' gap year to boost their skills. | | | | WWOOF ( sets people up with farmers around the |
| The catch? Well, they still have to pay for flights, jabs | | | | world and your hard labour (generally around 4-6 hours |
| and £1,000 towards the cost of their 10-week trip. | | | | day) pays for a roof over your head and food. The |
| Not so free after all! So, I've had a think about whether | | | | experience isn't always trouble-free: some farms are |
| it really is possible to have a free gap year. Here's the | | | | very remote and it's generally a surprise as to where |
| closest I've come up with: | | | | you rock up, but it can make for a very fulfilling and |
| 1. Teaching English abroad Want to spend 6-12 months | | | | relaxing experience. Again, it's not exactly free though: |
| getting paid to spend time in amazing places around | | | | you have to pay for a list of farms in the country you |
| the globe? Sounds a little far fetched, but there's a | | | | want to visit (generally around £20-£40), flights and |
| massive demand for qualified TEFL teachers around | | | | vaccinations. |
| the globe. You'll need to spend a few hundred quid | | | | 4. Hitching a ride on a yacht Do you know your port |
| getting a TEFL qualification, but after that there are | | | | from starboard, your mainsail from spinnaker? |
| thousands of TEFL jobs worldwide there for the | | | | Probably not, but even without knowing one end of a |
| taking. Contrary to popular opinion, you don't need | | | | boat from another you may be able to hitch a free |
| teaching experience, you don't need to speak the local | | | | ride in return for cooking, cleaning or general |
| language and sometimes you don't even need a | | | | deck-handing on a yacht. Check out websites like |
| degree. There is the snag that you'll still need to pay | | | | Crewseekers or the Cruising Association for details of |
| for flights and vaccinations. However, some schools | | | | jobs. |
| will reimburse you the costs of your flights when you | | | | Or, for some cheekier options: |
| finish your 12 month contract. So, with a little bit of | | | | 5. Busking Possibly the most wildly optimistic option - |
| penny-watching you could come home with money in | | | | get a guitar and set off on your merry way. Just |
| the bank. For more information check out | | | | watch out for police and rival buskers. Oh, and have a |
| 2. Working holiday in Australia OK, so this is hardly free | | | | credit card handy to bail you out if your strumming |
| - flights to Australia cost upwards of £600, but once | | | | turns out to not be as good as you thought! |
| you're there you can keep your costs down by | | | | 6. Joining religious groups Almost everyone knows |
| working as you go. Luckily the Aussie economy hasn't | | | | someone who did the Alpha course for the |
| suffered as badly as ours in the recession, so there | | | | sandwiches afterwards. This is just the large-scale |
| are usually jobs around for bright-eyed backpackers. | | | | (and infinitely more ethically dubious) version. Search |
| Most people who get a year-long working holiday visa | | | | out religious groups around the world and worm your |
| spend six months or so working in one of the big cities | | | | way in for free food and lodging. Best not to think |
| then another six months moseying around the country | | | | about the long-term consequences though! |