Reliable mini gap year companies

[mollykins]

I'm still trying to find reliable mini gap year companies I've emailed a few unis that are noted for science and a local DEFRA fisheries place. So far one uni and the defra place have got back to me saying they can't reccommend anywhere. Where else can I ask if the other unis come back saying they don't know either?

[mollykins]

PS if you're one of the ABers that don't know what I want to do as a career, it's marine biology etc and I'm after a reliable mni gap year company for marine conservation/ observation etc etc . . .

[Prudie]

I'd never heard of this but googling shows lot but they are very expensive. I doubt any Uni would recommend a specific outside company (suggests being partial), you'd be better asking students who have done it.

[mollykins]

They vary in price and I'd only be going for a few weeks, not a whole year. I don't know any marine bio etc students . . .

[mollykins]

My biology teacher suggested emailing cefas and unis etc as she couldn't recommend anywhere herself.

[Prudie]

Presumably you've looked online - there seems to be lots of stuff (inclding this question haha)
http://www.google.co....1&fp=ea957c5f5373d165

[mollykins]

I've found a few companies that have a lot of awards etc, but still, they could be faked, maybe if i checked out the companies who gave them the awards to make sure they're bonefide aswell, then it's a good sign.

[bednobs]

have you tried facebooking the company names? You may get groups on there of people who have been or are planning to go

[mollykins]

Good idea, thanks.

[Eve]

I used to do some conservation work with the BTCV. None of the stuff I did was marine related as we were nowhere near the sea, however, they may have more marine related work in groups which work around the coast.

I used to go off for the day with them in holidays but they do ones where you go away and do residential projects.

You could also check with local conservation and ecology groups near the coast. They do volunteer days and studies in my local park to preserve and encourage nature and log birds, plants etc... so imagine there would be similar for coastal areas.

[Eve]

Just had a look on the website and loads of coastal work on the longer breaks...

http://shop.btcv.org.uk/shop/level3/733/level

If you look in the shorter breaks there are waterways and wetlands ones too.

Also likely to be numerous day projects as well.

[Eve]

You could also contact the Marine Conversation Society, scroll down here and it suggests contacting them about volunteering opportunities.

http://www.mcsuk.org/...+with+us/Work+with+us

[mollykins]

Jenna thanks, i'm already part of the MCS . . . but i'll definately have a good look at the stuff with BTCV . . .