My summer has been pretty boring, so I'm wanting to have an awesome summer next year! I'm from the UK and looking to travel to either the USA or Europe (particularly the German speaking countries as I speak the language).

I was very interested in the Camp America programme, but I'm not available for the nine weeks they require. I've looked into similar programmes but they all seem to have the same time requirements.

If any of you could recommend some other companies that might be suitable, that would be great. I'm also interested in any other fun ways to experience a foreign culture, so if you have any ideas or stories to share it would be much appreciated

Thanks!

I recommend this every time someone posts something like this, but what about au-pairing? There are lots of summer-only positions available, it's a free way to live in another country, and it's definitely a unique experience.

Google the jobs abroad bulletin, and sign up to it, you get it through your email, you might be lucky and find something that will get you into a country you want. It's so quick to skim through the jobs they send, and if nothing suits, just delete! It's how I got my job in a Spanish summer camp!

It's weird though, I've no idea where it's based, because "abroad"??? It's listed jobs in just about every English speaking country I can think of, plus a lot of others.

Or you could volunteer - there are tons of programmes like teaching English, working in a nursery, conservation work, house building, clearing up after earthquakes and such. Google things like STA Travel, Real Gap, Projects Abroad - in fact just google "gap year" and have a browse of the websites. Obviously you don't want to go for a whole year but a lot of the projects are 2 weeks, a month etc.

You could look into WWOOFing. www.wwoof.org
I always thought it would be something cool to go do for a summer. I'm still waiting for the right time though.