Sending your child off on a gap year abroad can be a nerve-wracking experience for any parent. For many gappers it’s the first time they’ve lived away from home for a long period of time, or the first time they’ve visited a particular country or continent. Even if your child seems to be taking it in their stride it helps to know that they’re well prepared for their experience and at GapGuru we aim to give you that reassurance.
We take the health and safety of each and every gap volunteer and intern very seriously and do our utmost to make sure they are equipped with all the information they need, not only to enjoy themselves, but to keep themselves safe and healthy. Here’s how we can give you piece of mind:
Proven track record
GapGuru has been operating since 2004 so we have years of experience of looking after gap year travellers of every age and background. We’re also part of the Year Out Group, a collection of UK gap year organisations that follow a strict code of conduct to ensure they follow specific criteria of finance, safety, security and quality. Because of this you can be certain we’ll deliver a gap year abroad that exceed your expectations. Pre-departure briefing
Preparation is essential to planning a successful gap year abroad and an important part of our pre-departure process is to invite every gap volunteer and intern, along with their parents and family, to an interactive briefing session at our UK office in Newbury, Berkshire. This session is one of the best reasons to book with GapGuru, as it gives you and your child the chance to meet our team and allay any fears you have before they travel. We give both general and destination-specific advice to help gappers prepare for their trip, while you can ask us anything you want and share your thoughts with other parents, while your children meet other volunteers. We have volunteers from all over the UK and across the world, so if you can’t make it in person then we will set up a phone briefing to give you the same information and service. In-country teams
Saying goodbye to your child at the airport doesn’t mean you’re sending them off into the world alone! What makes GapGuru so unique is that we have dedicated in-country teams who supervise all our projects and look after every gap volunteer and intern for the duration of their trip. They can be as involved or invisible as necessary, it completely depends on the individual gapper and how well they’re getting along. Our in-country coordinators have an in-depth knowledge of the local area so they’re the perfect people to give help and advice, and deal with any problems that may arise during a gap year. More urgent problems can be dealt with by the UK team and you’ll be given a 24/7 emergency contact number just in case. Accommodation & project support
Our in-country support extends to the accommodation and projects. Most of our gap year volunteers stay in homestays, which are carefully vetted to ensure that they provide safe and comfortable lodgings. The homestay host acts as an extra support point for volunteers and helps provide a real home-from-home that can help reduce any culture shock. Likewise, each gap volunteer and intern will be well-looked after at their project itself, to ensure they are put to good use and made to feel comfortable. Special considerations for female travellers
While it isn’t necessarily more dangerous for women to take a gap year abroad, female travellers do need to be aware that many developing countries have different customs and culture that may affect how they’re treated. A few things to keep in mind..
Attitudes towards women can be very different in other cultures. To cause yourself the least hassle it’s wise to read up on local customs and conventions before you arrive.
Women considering a gap year abroad in countries such as India should be prepared to dress conservatively. It is considered respectable to cover your arms, legs and midriff at all times. You should also consider dyeing your hair a darker colour, as blonde and red hair is something of a novelty in other cultures and may attract unwanted attention.
You may find it easier to travel with a friend, who can provide moral support if you get into any confusing situations. It’s also a good idea to walk in groups late at night as a safety precaution.
While women should be vigilant, bear in mind that not all attention is threatening! Most men who approach foreign women are simply curious or trying to be helpful.