Despite tuition fees and student debt, almost a third, or 130,000 sixth-formers, set out from the UK each year on a gap-year adventure before heading off to university, according to Mintel, the market analyst. Few who take a year out ever regret it and most say they have made far more of their time at university as a result. But experts urge young people to plan their trips carefully and be aware of the pitfalls before they embark on the journey of a lifetime. Gap years are now big business with students spending an average L4,800. Dozens of firms have sprung up to get their slice of the money. At the last count there were 76 operators in Britain and one gap-year company, i-to-i, was so successful it was bought for several million last year by the package holiday group First Choice. These firms typically offer package trips combining flights, in-country transport, support and even language courses at an average cost of L4,000. However, it is their foray into charitable work that has provoked controversy. Students are increasingly eager to get off the backpacker trail and see real life, so they want to take on some voluntary work during their travels. The Year Out Group, a trade association made up of 35 different gap-year travel companies, says that 80 per cent of young people now opt for a trip with a volunteering element. But the big overseas volunteering charities are furious that these companies are charging students to volunteer. The charities also say there is little evidence that the thousands of students, who have few skills and little experience, are benefiting local communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America when they swing through for a month or so. Lauren Cohen was forced to take a gap year when she resat her A levels to get the grades she needed to study at St George's medical school at the University of London. She chose a trip to Peru which combined voluntary work in a children's home in Lima with travelling and the Inca Trail. "I was very pleased with the company. It was well organised. The placement in the children's home was great and they found me accommodation in an old house in Lima which used to be the South American Explorers' club. "Before I went I had a weekend induction course where I learnt all about Lima and Peru, got good health and safety advice on medication and what food to avoid. I also learnt a lot specific to the job.

Słowniczek

soup kitchen - miejsce wydawania darmowych posiłków

once the preserve of the rich - kiedyś domena bogatych

to be aware of the pitfalls - być świadomym pułapek

embark on the journey of a lifetime - wyruszyć w podróż życia

to foray into charitable work - zapuszczać się w rejony działalności charytatywnej