features assist in the office and with event planning . http :// unison . org . hk
• Hong Kong Paws Foundation – assist in animal operations or provide a foster home . www . hkpaws . org
• Animals Asia Foundation – volunteer for positions in the office , animal operations or veterinary services . www . animalsasia . org
• Hong Kong Society of Herpetology Foundation ( HKHerp ) – volunteer to get involved with anything from clerical work to fostering animals . www . hkherp . org . hk
• Clean Air Network ( CAN ) – volunteering activities can range from administrative support to helping to organise talks with the charity . www . hongkongcan . org
• The Conservation Association – help with fundraising , clerical work , designing posters and staff recruitment . http :// cahk . org . hk
• Chi Heng Foundation – volunteer to help with fundraising and event planning ; this charity also offers internships . http :// chfaidsorphans . com
• Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation – help with patient support , charity events and admin . https :// hkbcf . org
• Riding for the Disabled Association Ltd . ( RDA ) – assist in riding lessons , provide clerical assistance or help with administrative work .
Travelling Abroad Taking a gap year between school and university can be extremely beneficial to personal growth , whether you decide to enrol in a structured gap year programme , spend time volunteering abroad , working , traveling the world , or all of the above .
Another reason why gap years can be beneficial is that they help you to broaden your horizons and can be a window on the important things in life . University is fun , but in an insulated campus environment , it is easy to begin to believe your friendship group and classes are the absolute centre of the universe . Because of this , any small crisis might seem like the end of the world . However , if you ’ ve travelled the
Taking a year or two off can be helpful for either retaking exams or revisiting course and career options
world with all its complexity and glory , you ’ ll understand there are bigger issues in life than an under-average test paper or a lost game of beer pong .
If travelling is what you want to do , it would be a good idea to work for the first six months and save up money for your travels . Travelling can mean carrying a backpack , sleeping in different hostels every night , deciding on the spot where to go next , and taking every day as it comes , or it can be more structured and goal-oriented . There are many charity programmes ( some listed below ) for global explorers as well as recommended travel routes for gap year travellers .
• International Volunteer HQ – this organisation gives you the chance to volunteer anywhere in the world from Cambodia to Romania to Morocco and Peru . www . volunteerhq . org
• Global Vision International ( GVI ) – GVI offers many programmes for young people in 21 locations worldwide including internships , volunteer programmes and group projects . www . gviusa . com
• Rustic Pathways – provides travel and service programmes for students by integrating education , travel , and philanthropy . https :// rusticpathways . com
Retake Exams Perhaps you didn ’ t get the exam results you wanted ? You ’ ve been in touch with your first and second choice universities , but they ’ ve declined to offer you a place . At this stage , you might consider resitting some of your exams or pursuing a new qualification such as an A-Level or the SAT instead . Many tutor centres in Hong Kong ( a couple are listed below ) offer tuition for exam prep , whether you ’ re retaking a test or studying for a whole new subject . Most tutor centres offer the main courses for A-Level , IB , SAT , GED and ACT . It is possible to complete one of these courses in a year ( or less if you study hard ). So if you don ’ t get your desired grades , do not panic ! There are many options available to help you get into the university of your choice , it just might take a bit longer .
• ITS Education Asia – www . itseducation . asia
• NTK Academic Group – www . ntk . edu . hk
UCAS Clearing Another option available if you don ’ t receive the results you need is to apply to university in the UK through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service ( UCAS ) Clearing . You can use Clearing if : you ’ re applying after 30 June , you didn ’ t receive any offers ( or none you wanted to accept ), or you didn ’ t meet the conditions of your offers .
Clearing is how universities fill any places they still have on their courses . It is an ideal way for students to explore different course options that they may not have previously considered . Students can find courses ( with vacancies ) that interest them , and then contact the universities directly to see if they will offer a place . For more information about the clearing process , please visit www . ucas . com / undergraduate / results-confirmationand-clearing / what-clearing
The decision to take a year off before university , or to explore nontertiary options after secondary school , is an important one . But whatever you decide to do during this time , make sure it is something that you want to do . As long as you are using your time in a proactive and useful way , you can ’ t really go wrong . You may even discover a whole new set of possibilities for a future career .
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