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An Advertising Feature If your idea of a great gap year involves stripping off your morals & responsibilities before the altar of hedonism, read no further - Burma holidays come with several extra layers of depth. Many gap years & working holidays these days have some kind of ethical slant, perhaps teaching or volunteering for non-profit organisations in some way, but even that isn't so easy in Burma. This is a country whose people have been severely repressed for half a century, by a strict military regime; whose democrats have been imprisoned for decades just for speaking out. Non-profit & ethical endeavours tend to flourish in a country after it's been liberated from extremism, or at least when it's well on the way. Although a civilian government was established in Burma in 2010, this was arranged by the military rulers who preceded it. However, the new government's inauguration was accompanied by the release of key democratic leaders, which has given hope that the country is moving towards free election, at some point, & greater liberty. Until very recently there was a boycott (requested by the democrats & supported across the West) on all tourism to Burma, mainly because many Burmese hotels are government owned. This meant that most tourist revenue - especially from mass tourism - was funnelling straight back to the military leaders. With the new government in place, the boycott has now lifted a little - just enough to allow independent & small group travel within the country. Burmese democrats are keen for travellers to see the political situation for themselves. It is, after all, a spectacular country, steeped in spirituality, brimming stunning landscapes, misty valleys full of Buddhist temples, with an authentically friendly & welcoming population. It even has miles of deserted, sandy shoreline. In all, a tempting holiday destination, if you can only manage it conscientiously. There are several organisations running volunteer programmes in Burma. There are a number of distinct ethnic groups in the country, a sizeable proportion of which are disadvantaged, particularly the rural hill tribes & migrant populations near the country's borders. VSO is working with informal migrant schools to help them gain official recognition, & works with community groups to make sure everyone's needs are taken into consideration. VSO isn't ideal for a gap year before or immediately after graduation, since they usually require several years experience in your qualified field. But they do pay for virtually everything - international flights, accommodation - so if you're in a career break & have something to offer, it's definitely worth looking into. The Burma Volunteer Programme, which operates along the Burma-Thai border, focuses more on politics & the human rights of the wider Burmese population. They only pay local expenses, so you'd need to find your own airfare. Several other programs allow you to work with Burmese refugees in Thailand, although many of them require a donation in order to participate. Even if you're just travelling in Burma, you can help by not asking your hosts political questions, which can get them into surprisingly difficult trouble with the authorities. These days it's also possible to choose hotels & guest houses that aren't government run - there's usually up-to-date intel on the Lonely Planet forum, or ask your tour operator for options.
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Working Holidays 