Travel Dilemma - PLEASE HELP

Old Nov 9th, 2017, 10:27 AM
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Travel Dilemma - PLEASE HELP

I wasn't sure where to post this but I have a bit of a dilemma regarding my travel plans.

I'm currently an engineering student and I my winter exam period ends on the 3rd of February. This year is the only year where I have the whole of February off and classes start again on the 12th of March where I was planning to take part in a particular volunteer programme in Costa Rica that requires a minimum of 4-weeks.

I was planning on departing from home, London, on the 10th of February to give me a bit of space after my exams and return on the 13th or 15th of March (not too bothered about missing the first week of the second semester).

The problem I have firstly is that I am also currently applying for an industrial placement/internship which usually last 12 months and the interviews for these are sometimes in February. I could also choose to do this volunteer programme in summer however my university term finishes in July and placements usually start in July too meaning that I might not be able to do the volunteer programme for maybe a year or most likely even two.

The second thing is that flights are also around £750, not sure if this is a lot for return flights to Costa Rica but it might be a factor in the decision.

Does anyone have any advice on what to do? I feel a bit lost
claeonwords is offline  
Old Nov 9th, 2017, 12:36 PM
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If you need to be home to be available for interviews in Feb I don't see how you can plan a month away at that time. Last minute flight changes can be very VERY expensive.

You say these interviews are 'sometimes' held in Feb. If an internship is important to you, I'd think you'd want to stay closer to home during that period. Can't you find a project/volunteer opportunity in the UK?
janisj is online now  
Old Nov 10th, 2017, 05:59 PM
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I can see your dilemma! Over the years I have recruited a number of interns and would not even consider someone who wasn’t around for an interview. A lot of people will tell you that a gap year, travel, volunteer work look good on a cv. They do, but they won’t make the slightest difference to weather you get a job or placement.

If you are serious about your career, then make sure you are around and we’ll prepared to any interviews. Planning travel at this stage will only divert your attention. Employers are looking for serious commitment, even if it is an unpaid placement. Who knows where it may lead?

As far as volunteer projects are concerned, if you are paying for the opportunity, the the vast majority of these types of assignments are little more than thinly disguised package tours. In terms of helping the community, if this involves people, especially children, short term placements do more harm than good. Although in Costa Rica, I suspect that this may involve an animal project. In which case there is an argument which says that the money you bring into the community possibly outweighs the fact that you could be taking employment opportunities away from the local people.
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