Volunteer Abroad News
• Did you know that 2.5 million UK students plan on taking a gap year next year?
• According the Toronto Star, “it’s a good time to be a religious charity in Canada.” CIDA funding to religious organizations has increased by 42 per cent since 2005, while secular organizations have only seen a four per cent increase. However, all that might change now that CIDA is merging with the Department of Foreign Affairs—a move that explicitly links Canada’s role in international development with trade and commerical development.
Study Abroad News
• The New York Times reports that study abroad may no longer make graduates stand out. Here’s what they’re doing instead.
• In 2012, Canada hosted 100,000 international students.
• “How safe are female students studying in Abu Dhabi?”
• Not surprisingly, in a survey of UK students, cost and language barriers prohibit students from studying abroad. However, UK students are more strategic than their American peers when they do choose to study abroad, considering long-term career prospects before travel opportunities.
• The issue is raised of how to best mitigate risk for students with mental health issues who study abroad.
• The ultimate study abroad opportunity for students who can’t leave their home country—right on their own university campus.
• We love this infographic on how to make study abroad more affordable.
Work Abroad News
• Want to work in Russia? It’s about to get a whole lot easier now that new immigration laws have been introduced.
• Online therapy addresses the unique needs of expats adjusting to their new life overseas.
• In less inspiring (and surprising) news, 80 per cent of Qataris allegedly believe that expats are displacing jobs for local people.
Required Reading
• “Happily married and traveling solo.” Why one blogger chooses to travel without her husband.
• “Benefits of a volunteering gap year.”
• “Voluntourism: The Business of Orphans.”
• “Google quietly pulls plug on Frommer’s print travel guidebooks.”
Contests & Opportunities
• Help determine the earliest use of the term “gap year.”
• Apply to be “chief funster” or “taste master” in Tourism Australia’s best jobs in the world competition.
• $50,000, six months, six continents and all expenses paid? We can’t lie—the Biggest, Baddest Bucket List competition sounds kind of awesome.
• Interested in travel and love to write? You could help write the next Rough Guide to China.
Got a news tip or opportunity that you’d like to see included in our biweekly “travel with purpose” news round-up? Send us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
