The Spoon Drawer

For many people the well-trodden path of a gap year pre or post university has become somewhat of a rite of passage. You’re only young once and the opportunity to explore the world and “find yourself” at your own pace probably won’t come along again until you’re retired, making that early 20s itch to get away entirely understandable. But whilst you could just spend your money on making your way around as much of a continent as your funds will allow, on the other side of the fence lie the opportunities to make a difference in the world with your spare time. So here are some of the top overseas volunteering experiences I've identified as ways in which you can see the world whilst giving something back! For the Conservationist If you’d like to do your bit to help out our fragile planet then one of the best ways to get your hands dirty and dig in to make a better future is by planting trees to help replenish the millions lost to deforestation each year. Some of the worst

I've been thinking a lot about my adventures travelling recently, which inspired me to run through some of my top tips for fellow travellers, based on my own experiences. Cash Rules Everything Around Me There's a limit to how far you can get without a reasonably healthy bank balance so be sure to budget budget budget! Looking after your money is paramount, as is keeping an eye on your spending. Always think before every purchase: do I need this and could I get/do it cheaper? You don't want to be calling mum and dad halfway through your trip begging them to transfer money online to your bank card. Be Taxi Aware Taxis are a bit of a cop out if you ask me, but I know a lot of people do end up relying on them for transport when in foreign lands. If this includes you, then be sure to do your research before setting out so that you know which taxis to look out for. Registered taxis to the city, state or country are the ones you want to be looking out for and not th