Advertisement feature : Invest in your future - Get out there on an expedition with Raleigh International!

Who is Raleigh International?

We are a youth and sustainable development charity running overseas expeditions for 17-24 year olds from a wide range of backgrounds, nationalities and life stages. We are committed to increasing the confidence and soft skills of young people as well as contributing to sustainable environmental and community development in the countries in which we operate.

Expeditions operate year-round in Borneo, Costa Rica and Nicaragua and India. This year saw volunteers working on Sun Bear conservation projects in Borneo, constructing schools in remote villages in southern India, and trekking from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast across the width of Costa Rica.

How can I benefit from a Raleigh expedition?

A Raleigh expedition is perfect for people who are looking to develop key employability skills, explore new cultures and make a real difference to the world they live in. On an overseas expedition with Raleigh you'll work on much needed community and environmental projects, plus undertake a challenging adventure phase.

'In this job market, evidence of soft skills and the ability to show how you can add value to an organisation are going to be more important than ever,' advised Raleigh’s chief executive Stacey Adams. 'This can be really tough for new graduates when they don’t have much previous work experience - although all of the graduate recruiters that we work with tell us that a well-constructed gap year is a great way to develop these soft skills.'

Christine Harry went on expedition to Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Upon her return from expedition she gained the role of UK coordinator for a children’s charity in Nottingham.

'Before Raleigh I was sending off lots of job applications each week and apart from getting a few interviews, it was pretty fruitless. Quite simply, being able to take part in an expedition is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I have incredible memories of my time in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, of the people I met, the places I saw and the work we did for the communities.

'Taking part in an expedition builds on a variety of skills, such as leadership skills, communication skills and interpersonal skills. Being on Raleigh has further improved my fluency in Spanish, as a linguist it is always very useful to spend time overseas. Though I was sad to leave, I feel like it is not really the end but the beginning for me.'

Interested? Apply now!

Raleigh also offers bursaries ranging from £1,000 to £3,000 for our five and ten-week expeditions, to enable those who otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to take part in an expedition. Find out more about our bursary scheme.