“Every gap year student should have some skills training to help them travel in a more sensible and informed way. There are very few things in life that we expect to go off and do with no training, so why do we assume that travelling in the developing world can be achieved without preparation?”

Charlotte Hindle – author of Lonely Planet’s ‘Gap Year Guide’

Friday 9 August 2002

Workers take Gap Year too


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Title – Workers take Gap Years too
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 8th August 2002

Gap Years are increasingly open to a much wider section of society. Once the reserve of the young adult in search of adventure and even then, only those whose parents could afford to support them, they are now open to everyone who has the confidence to pack a bag and set off to find their own special sunset.

But old or young, rich or self funded, the problems faced when away tend to be the same. Travelling is a great leveller, you arrive at your hotel or hostel and everyone is the same boat and many have the same ambitions. It’s a great way to meet people of all ages and a great way to meet people from all over the world. Travelling 10 years ago in Australia, you would meet British travellers at every turn and if you were lucky a few Europeans and the odd American. Now if you are staying in a hostel dorm, you’ll be lucky enough to find that most of the people you are sharing a room with are from all over the world.

We can help you prepare for your travels and set off in confidence to explore the world and make the most of all the experiences you have with the people you meet along the way. From personal safety information and personal safety techniques to what equipment you’ll need and how to behave in the new countries to ensure that you don’t offend cultural sensitivities, our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety and Awareness workshop will help you plan in the best way possible to ensure your trip is a positive and safe experience.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

Tuesday 6 August 2002

Gap year of volunteering 'pays'


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Title – Gap year of volunteering ‘pays’
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – June 2002

Most people don’t choose to travel or volunteer as a career choice, usually there is a more spiritual quest or the desire to expand horizons. Many also choose to travel to see the world, meet its people and ultimately to have fun.

Having fun should be a prerequisite, if at the same time you can learn from different cultures and learn how to communicate and integrate in different countries and with people from all over the world, the experience is enhanced. If as well as this you take part in some voluntary work along the way, the benefits to you and the communities you visit, can be more rewarding then what you experience by sightseeing alone.

We can help you realise these dreams and ambitions and put you on the right path to making the most of your experiences and enhancing your employment prospects when you return. Our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety and Awareness workshop helps you learn the skills you’ll need to travel safely and the information you’ll need to plan your trip and learn about your destinations before you leave the comforts of home behind.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

Friday 14 June 2002

My daughter died on her gap year trip

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Title – My daughter died on her gap year trip
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 13th June 2002

The tragedy surrounding the death of British backpacker Caroline Stuttle in the small Australian town of Bundaberg following an apparent robbery, is every parent’s nightmare. The words of her father are both poignant and inspiring and his message that others should not be put off as a result need no further explanation.

The attacker who tried to snatch her handbag as she crossed a bridge and pushed her to her death over the side was sentenced to life in prison in Australia.

Beyond The Blue is a training company that runs Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety and Awareness workshops. Although tragedies like the one that the Stuttle family had to go through can not be eliminated altogether, the personal safety techniques we teach can help candidates avoid some potentially dangerous situations and allow people of all ages and from all backgrounds travel in more safety.

We also offer advice on destinations and although Australia is one of the safest countries to visit, there is still much information and many skills that will help you negotiate the hurdles you will encounter with more confidence.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.