What's special about Oyster?
Our team in the UK and overseas have considerable experience in arranging gap year placements abroad. We know what makes a great gap year and offer carefully chosen placements in different parts of the world to deliver this.

With Oyster you'll get:

• the certainty of a well-chosen job or voluntary placement with everything arranged in advance
• a personal service from our experienced staff in the UK, who will get to know you very well before you depart; we only send around 120 participants away every year
• thorough preparation in the UK and on arrival to make sure you hit the ground running
• excellent support from our representative abroad who will meet you at the airport, settle you in and be there to help with problems if you need it
• a group of fellow travellers to share the experience with

Aren't you a new organisation?
Oyster has branched out from Changing Worlds in May 2006. So, although the name Oyster is new, our programmes and all our staff already have a proven track record and the placements have been tried and tested by over 600 volunteers since 1999. We will be happy to put you in touch with those who have travelled to our placements in the past. They will be able to tell you directly about the service and expertise offered by the UK team and our representatives abroad.

Is Oyster a member of the Year Out Group?
Yes, we are a full member of the Year Out Group. Our procedures have been assessed and the Year Out Group has taken into account that our placements and staff are well established, even if the name is new. Normally new organisations have to show 3 years experience before becoming members.