Oyster Worldwide
Vitals
- GYA Accredited Since: Unaccredited by the GYA. Please see the Standards for more information.
- COVID-19 Plans: Hybrid (online & in-person)
- Enrolling:
- App Deadline:
- Next Available Departure? Sep, 2024
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Mission Statement:
Oyster's programs support responsible travel and meaningful opportunities in over 25 destinations around the world. There is a program to suit everyone starting from 1 to 52 weeks with a variety of options covering animal welfare, conservation, paid seasonal work, paid teaching, volunteer sports coaching, budget tours and medical internships – to name a few. Shorter options are great for summer and for students who have limited time or funds, or simply want to test out the gap year experience before taking a longer plunge. All students have a dedicated program manager to help plan, as well as full support in-country. Many choose to combine a few programs to enrich their experience and make the most of their time overseas. Year long work programs are also possible.
Oyster aims to provide a rewarding alternative to pure leisure travel that will encourage personal development and cultural understanding. We provide travel that is environmentally conscious, worthwhile, and trips that aim to fully immerse our participants. We are passionate about the value of living and working alongside local people, rather than just passing through. The world is your oyster - make the most of it by combining paid work, internships, volunteering and tours.
COVID POLICY:
We are still welcoming new enquiries and bookings as normal, with flexible start dates and 100% returnable deposits (during this time). We believe travel opportunities are just around the corner and so have created a few incentives and promotions to encourage you to believe the same. Please check out our full lists of offers and discounts on our full Covid Statement : https://www.oysterworldwide.com/covid-19-update/ - Level of Independence/Supervision (mouse-over for definition):
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Attachments
Program Locations
Typical Itinerary
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | |
|
W e e k 1 |
Group met at airport by our rep. Transfer to a comfortable hostel. Welcome dinner. | Orientation day 1: Time to explore before lunch. Coking class, making local pastries. BBQ at the rep’s house. | Orientation day 2: Move to host family. Lunch with hosts. More time to explore. | ||||
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | |
|
W e e k 2 |
Orientation day 3: Guided trek in a national park | Orientation day 4: Rafting down the Simpson River | Teaching practice. Plan and carry out short teaching activities in English with students at the local university | Go into schools to meet head teachers and organize timetables with the English teachers. | Work starts, teaching English and helping with extra-curricular clubs. | work at school | Time off to explore further (e.g. visit glacier further south, thermal springs in the north etc |
This itinerary shows the first few days of our 12 week program in Chilean Patagonia. After a few days of acclimatization, training and socializing, participants will help teach English in local schools and have the opportunity to help run extra-curricular activities. Staying with a host family immerses them in the Chilean culture and helps them perfect their Spanish. There is plenty of time off to meet up with friends, embed yourself in the local way of life and also travel further afield. Our local rep, who has worked for Oyster for over 12 years, acts as a friendly source of advice and support.
The formal program lasts 12 weeks, shorter options are available. Even a short adventure can still be life-changing.
Peer Reviews
Program Details
- Program Starts: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
- Program Duration: Less than 2 months, Semester, Yearlong
- Program Cost: from $4973
- Program Financial Aid: Yes
- Other Financial Aid Details:
We offer bursaries on a case by case basis.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Confidence from travelling independently and overcoming challenges
- Cultural immersion via homestay
- Resilience - spending 3 months away from friends and family
- Teaching skills and experience
- Increased fluency in Spanish
- Interpersonal skills - getting along with hosts, children and the group
- Appreciating the beauty of Patagonia and the importance of conservation
- Self-knowledge
- Discovering the value of service learning
Staff Training and Certification
All of our UK staff have travelled extensively and have taken a gap year themselves. They are passionate about our programs and want to help you gain as much from your experience as they did.
Oyster was awarded Gap Year Travel Specialists of the Year 2018 by SME News in the 2018 UK Enterprise Awards.
Oyster was awarded the ‘Best Volunteer Abroad Project’ by Tutorful, a company that specializes in linking the right tutor to the right student.