While the recession has seen higher numbers of enrolments on college and university courses this year, the overcrowded job market and the high cost attached to further education is also causing many to take a gap year. But what options are available to a young person on a year out? Well, if you’re a football fan and are considering a stint volunteering abroad, 2010 could be the best year to make the most of this opportunity.

The 10th June in Soweto sees what has already been tipped to be a historic live concert to open the 19th FIFA World Cup, and the first on African soil. Such events conjure memories of Diana Ross hoofing a penalty kick during her opening performance, and overblown spectaculars that may have looked just a little too expensive, but 2010 is set to be different – following a format similar to Live 8 with rumoured performances from Beyonce and Madonna and proceeds going to disadvantaged communities. The following day sees the first match of the tournament taking place in the country’s largest city: Johannesburg.

Of course, World Cup 2010 is particularly important for England fans and the home country are already preparing for a large number of fans making the pilgrimage from our shores. Fabio Capello’s team are perhaps the strongest we’ve had in years and we have qualified for the tournament with our best foot forward, and with two games to spare after a 5-1 thrashing over Croatia – the omens have never looked so good. Seeing some of these games are an exciting prospect to anyone considering making the journey, but your time in South Africa can be even more memorable.

South Africa has long been associated with gap years and volunteer projects abroad. The reason for this is, at least in part, is due to the country’s diverse social and physical landscape. While a vast majority of the population live in its developed first world cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg, the rest of the country is made up of vast landscapes ranging from the desert in the northwest and subtropical lands in the east.

A gap year teaching, for example, will likely take you to the more rural communities of the country – where schools exist on considerably simpler means than those of the cities. Short term teachers are needed to teach basic literacy and maths at primary and secondary level to enthusiastic and eager learners for an incredibly rewarding few months. But learning doesn’t always take place in the classroom, school life involves much activity including dancing, singing and football of course. In fact, for those eager to play as much as they are to watch, soccer clinics in areas such as Philippolis are also frequently looking for volunteer sports coaches. It will be a busy time, but taking in the sights of a beautiful country and the spectacle of the World Cup will feel all the more worth it.