My family’s crazy Gap Year – Channel 4

I watch many television programmes these days with a strong element of scepticism; travel and nature programmes are often the worst offenders of exaggeration


The emphasis of these programmes always seems to be about a ‘boast’, with the presenters (or increasingly the camera crews and support teams) becoming the focus; they talk again and again about how ‘they are the first’, ‘how dangerous’, ‘how difficult’, ‘how extreme’, ‘how remote’ and any number of other ‘I am cool and brave’ references. I sometimes wonder why the production companies bother sending teams out for the first few weeks to film nature programmes; after all don’t they always find the species they are looking for on the very last day / hour before they leave…


My point is that so many of these programmes are too stage managed; they are unrealistic and what is really going on behind the scenes (support teams etc.) would negate the emphasis of the programme in an age where sensationalism has dampened imagination and wonder.


I have to say I didn’t really expect Channel 4’s ‘My family’s crazy Gap Year’ to be much different, what concerned me was that many of these programmes send out very poor messages about travel safety and responsible travel. They portray a sense of invincibility and promote the impression that you must always go a step further, beyond what is sensible, to gain bragging rights.


For me travelling in order to gain ‘bragging rights’ is travelling for the wrong reason. If you can travel to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, Dive on the Barrier Reef, climb the Atlas or Rocky mountains, meet the people of the Pacific, see one of Africa’s ‘big five’ or any of another million incredible experiences which are out there and not be blown away, maybe that type of travel is not for you.


Why would anyone need to exaggerate further the experience or the privilege of a trip down the Amazon with tales of dangerous tribes and the impression that at any second a jaguar could jump out and attack them?


Is the fact that you are on the Amazon river, in the world’s greatest rainforest not amazing enough without having to lie / exaggerate?


…and it is an exaggeration; how many eminent scientists have spent months and years looking for jaguars in the Amazon, never to have actually seen one?


My point is that the Channel 4 show actually turned out to be more restrained than most of this genre. I was expecting to be writing about all the bad advice the show inadvertently given. At the start of the programme, when the family involved decided to take homeopathic remedies rather than pharmaceutical ones to ward off tropical disease, I thought my worst fears were going to be realised.


It might well have been a good idea for the programme to emphasise the other options available at this point and the risks involved with type of choice; rather than to ignore what is a vital part of the planning process.


However by the end of the show I was pleasantly surprised that there were only two points I wanted to bring up in relation to travel safety; with homeopathic remedies being one (and a very unwise choice). Later in the show, comments from the family (when they were in Papua) mentioned that they were worried about their choice in this respect and ‘they hoped that the homeopathic remedies would protect them’. Don’t rely on ‘hope’ when it comes to your health; get the best prophylactic drugs and vaccinations on the market.


The other big incident in the programme was the car accident in northern India and how lucky the family was that no one was more seriously injured.


Travel by car, bus and road traffic generally, remains one of the biggest risks during travel. Travellers have to be confident enough to say something when they feel uncomfortable.


Travelling at any speed on the type of dirt / gravel road they were on at the time of the accident, especially when there is a large drop on one side, is not a place to cross your fingers and hope for the best; you must stand up and be heard. It is your money which is funding the travel, the driver will follow your instructions if you tell him with enough confidence. Often local drivers drive faster than they might normally, because they assume western tourists are always in a hurry and want to arrive as quickly as possible.


If you are not confident enough to tell the driver directly, then make an excuse; tell the driver to slow down so you can enjoy the view, because you are feeling sick or tell him he’ll get a tip if he slows down.


However I can’t write about this programme without sharing my fondness for episode one. Some of this is because two of the highlighted parts of their trip (Mongolia and Papua) are very familiar to me and similar to experiences I have enjoyed myself in those parts of the world; they brought back great memories.


However the great success of this programme was down to the family who were the subject of episode one. I thought they were charming, very British (in all the right ways), with a fantastic balance of humour and a sense of adventure; maybe qualities the experience brought out in them. What they seem to have gained from their travels above all, is a better understanding of the world around them, an appreciation of the magnificence the world offers and memories that even the youngest child will remember for a lifetime; no need to ‘brag’ when you have gained all of that.


It also just goes to prove that Gap Years are no longer the preserve of school and university leavers, but open to all.


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.


Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.


For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.


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Source – Channel 4
Date – 6th September 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

British Behaviour Abroad – Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) 2009-10 Report

The report highlights the problems Britons encounter during travel which require assistance from the FCO and their in-country representatives. These include the consequences of;


• 944 Britons being arrested for drug related offences
• 19% of Britons travel without insurance
• Britons spend only an average of 25 minutes researching local laws and customs of the country they are travelling to
• The FCO dealt with a staggering (almost) 2 million consular enquiries.
• Although Spain had the highest number of consular assistance cases with over 14 a day (5283 a year), Thailand had the highest percentage of consular assistance cases per visitor / resident with over 2.6 a day (957 a year).
• Spain had the highest number of arrests (2012) but once again Thailand had the highest percentage of arrests (249 of which 68 were for drug related offences) followed by UAE (265) and USA (1367).
• Of the 3689 Britons hospitalised abroad, Spain has the highest number (3689) with Thailand having the highest percentage (199) with Greece second (471) and Egypt third (235). Many of these cases were due to motorbike accidents and drink related incidents.
• A total of 5930 Britons died abroad with Thailand (292) again the country with the highest percentage of deaths to visitors / residents.
• 27,272 passports were lost or stolen. For once Thailand (827) only comes third on the list of frequency per visitor, with New Zealand (1662) coming top and South Africa (832) coming second.


The complete report can be downloaded from the Foreign Office website (British Behaviour Abroad).


It should be noted that the figures given above are those for cases where consular assistance was sought or where incidents were reported to the FCO; they do not take into account the many people who fail or choose not to do so. We can therefore assume that to one degree or another, the actual numbers may be significantly higher.


It is highly recommended that if you get into any kind of difficulty when travelling you seek consular assistance. Even in cases where you think you don’t actually need their immediate help we would strongly advise people to make contact, as even seemingly innocuous situation can quickly spiral into serious ones.


The British embassy / consulate / high commission in the country you are visiting will be more than happy to offer assistance in whatever form you believe to be necessary (providing it is within their power / remit to do so). This means they will also be more than happy for you just to touch base with them and let them know the situation you are in.


For example if you fall ill and require hospitalisation, you may be very comfortable with the level of medical treatment you are receiving (many countries round the world have health care which easily matches that which we enjoy in the UK) and your insurance may cover your costs. The benefit of contacting the FCO representative in the country you are visiting is that if your condition suddenly deteriorates, they will already have a knowledge of your case, which will allow them to more quickly contact your family or advise you on other local medical opinions you may wish to seek.


The following are some point worth considering in relation to above snapshot of this report:


Drugs – Avoid illegal drugs at all costs and avoid association with others who may be using / dealing illegal drugs. Availability does not indicate legality and it can generally be assumed that those drugs which are illegal in the UK are illegal in all other parts of the world (in places such as the UAE even many drug which are sold under prescription in the UK are illegal). Do not believe those who tell you that drug use is tolerated; they are either kidding themselves as a drug user; kidding you to ‘impress’ you; or involved in marketing (selling) illegal drugs. In many countries the penalties for drug possession can be significant and even association with drug users can land you inside a very unpleasant prison cell.

Alcohol – Alcohol plays a significant part in many injuries, accidents and fatalities in travellers. When travelling we tend to have a more care-free (invincible) attitude then when at home; which considering the risks in most other countries are higher than in the UK, is actually the exact opposite of the approach we should be taking. Alcohol plays a part in many social activities and there is no particular problem with this in itself; however you should take significantly more care and be aware of the relative strengths (sizes of measures) of alcohol and moderate your consumption when abroad. Avoid mixing alcohol with: unfamiliar locations / people; drugs (illegal & prescription); driving / traffic; especially driving scooters / motorbikes; water (being in or on); heights; cultures & countries where it is illegal or not tolerated; ‘extreme sports’ (skiing, diving, riding etc.); confrontation; more alcohol… Be aware that being under the influence of alcohol or drugs is likely to invalidate your insurance.

Driving - Road accidents continue to be a significant cause of injury and death abroad, with insufficient care being taken by many travellers in regard to safety equipment which they would routinely use in the UK; these are often ignored on roads where the risks are significantly higher and where local road rules / conditions may be unfamiliar. Make sure you are insured and use the appropriate protective equipment even if locals don’t; over 1.2 million people die on roads around the world each year with over 70% of fatalities being in resource poor countries.

Travel Health – Ensure you visit your GP or travel clinic at least six to eight weeks prior to departure in order to allow enough time to complete any course of vaccinations they recommend. For malaria areas always use prophylactic drugs prescribed by your doctor and ensure you finish the course (this may be up to 4 weeks after travel, but is the most dangerous time as far as contracting malaria goes). Take bite avoidance measures as viruses like Dengue Fever cannot be vaccinated against and no vaccination is 100% full-proof; it is vital to have a combination of vaccinations and proactive prevention measures to ensure the best possible protection. Take out comprehensive travel insurance and make sure you are covered for the areas you intend to visit, the activities you intend to take part in and that your insurance will pay out if you need to be repatriated; make sure you tell the insurance company of any existing medical conditions as these may invalidate your insurance if not disclosed.

Rape & Sexual Assault – the FCO reports 132 cases of rape and 140 cases of sexual assault of which were notified. The numbers reported will certainly significantly misrepresent the actual number of such cases in travellers. Although drink / food spiking will be used in a significant number of cases of sexual assault, this is certainly not the only methodology and such assaults are often accompanied by violence or the threat of violence. It should also be noted that a significant number of these assaults will be carried out by ‘fellow travellers’ and that the drug most commonly used in ‘drug assisted sexual assault / rape’ is alcohol. Stick with people you trust and be careful who you trust; it is better to be self-reliant than to rely on someone you have only recently met.

Documentation – Copy all vital documents, take two copies with you, keep them separate from the originals (I keep a copy in the lining of my daypack and backpack) and leave a copy with someone you trust at home; so that if everything goes missing you can be faxed / emailed a copy. Never allow your passport to be used as a form of security against hire / rental or to secure your accommodation.

FCO – The Foreign & Commonwealth Office can and will provide very useful advice and guidance both prior to and (through their representatives in-country) during travel. However travellers must be self-sufficient and should not rely on the FCO for material assistance. They cannot intervene or supersede local laws and law-makers; they can’t fund you even in the case of serious emergencies; they can not issue ‘get out of jail free cards’. They will help you and your family and friends help yourselves and offer you vital support and advice to assist you in resolving your predicament.


The report contains very useful information and case studies on individual locations and offers a great insight into the problems other travellers have encountered in the countries featured; Australia, Canada, China, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, New Zealand, Pakistan, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (UAE), USA. If you are visiting any of these countries it is worth a few minutes of your time to read the information on the countries you will be visiting, otherwise see the FCO Country Information page of their website, for more information on every country / territory in the world.


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here

To view the article on the Safe Gap Year website Click Here

Source – FCO

Date – 16th July 2010

Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Chunders is You Tube hit on his ‘gap yah’

We’ve all heard them and most people who have taken a Gap Year will have been a ‘travel bore’, it can be hard not to be.


I regularly hear myself start a sentence with ‘when I was in…’, these days I check myself and look closely at the body language of the person I am talking to before I continue.


Many people prepare for Culture Shock when they travel, few prepare for ‘Reverse Culture Shock’; the effect of coming home.


Especially when travelling for an extended period of time it is vital to make sure you think about what happens when you return; it makes the difference between the ‘holiday blues’ disrupting your life for a couple of weeks and reverse culture shock affecting you with months of lethargy. Will you be able to afford being unproductive for months on end after you get back?


A big part of avoiding reverse culture shock is understanding that the amazing experiences you will have can never really be shared with those who were not there (in the same way that no photograph can ever replicate the amazing sights you encounter). Stay in touch with the people you had these experiences with and when the ‘blues’ kick-in contact them.


Don’t blame your friends from home for their lack of interest in your stories, you might be just as uninterested in their tales from the commute they make on the tube every morning…


‘Orlando’ may have proved a big hit on YouTube (Click Here) and I remember seeing a similar sketch at a Burma Campaign comedy show (Click Here), but take the subtle warning; don’t be a ‘gap year bore’ or a ‘gap year boaster’, share your stories with people who want to listen.


The other effective way I find of dealing with reverse culture shock is to start planning your next trip…


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.


Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.


For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.


To view the original article Click Here
Source – Metro
Date – 25th March 2010

Forget the degree go for the Gap Year / Most degrees ‘only good for coffee shops’

There is certainly an argument surrounding the number of people attending University, the courses they are undertaking, the value of the respective degrees they obtain and the cost of the process.


My personal point of view is that encouraging half the population to go to University is a bit of a one dimensional education policy; University education is just not a system which suits everyone.


However I am also of opinion is that the degree is only part of what students gain from the University experience and we should not underestimate the benefits gained by young people in simply attending these institutions.


I do have some concerns about the concept that having too many over-qualified people in the country is somehow a bad thing. Education is a privilege we take for granted in the UK and one which breeds more than just candidates to apply for the ‘top jobs’ with the ‘top companies’.


Small businesses spring up everyday fronted by entrepreneurs who have enjoyed the benefit of a University education and experience; besides why should the person working in Starbucks not enjoy the advantages which University education provides?


The arguments for and against 50% of the population attending University are varied and complex and are usually misrepresented, as few people have a 360 degree view of (or interest in) the pros and cons.


Our interest in this article is in the highlighted value of the Gap Year and the acknowledgement that despite the argument on whether University should be attended or not, a Gap Year benefits everyone.


As much as I will argue the case for Universities being more than lectures, seminars and exams and the experience of attending University being an important part in the development of those attending; there can be no doubt that taking a ‘constructive’ Gap Year adds an altogether different set of skills and knowledge. Skills gained on a gap year are highly valued by employers in many sectors; including most blue-chip companies.


At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.


Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.


For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.


To view the original article Click Here
Source – Evening Standard
Date – 10th March 2010

One in four gap year students ditch ‘hedonistic’ tradition and invite parents along

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Title – One in four gap year students ditch ‘hedonistic’ tradition and invite parents along
Source – The Daily Mail
Date – 7th November 2009

I struggle with this story, for me it defeats the point of a Gap Year to some degree. We long ago started seeing ‘Gappers’ meet with family members at some point in their trip, but not generally for the whole trip...

On the other hand, that a Teddy Bear is packed comes as little surprise, people want some form of comfort and for some the Teddy is just that. There is nothing wrong with this, but we do always warn people that they should leave their valuables and items with sentimental value at home.

Anything you carry with you adds to the burden and while it may not seem that way while you drive to the airport, 2 months later you’ll be looking at any way of shedding every ounce of weight you can, as your pack starts to feel like a ball & chain. The gap year trail is littered with valuable travel equipment which has been dumped only a short time into a journey.

Teddys apart, taking your parents along does seem like a slightly excessive way of dealing with pre departure jitters…

There has been a steady increase in older independent travellers taking off round the world or undertaking volunteering after retirement or as a

Career Break, but let’s not blur the line; the rite of passage which is ‘the gap year’, provides experience, builds confidence, adds skills and develops independence in young people. With the right research or undertaking a workshop like ours, the risks can be reduced considerably, something which taking parents along does not necessarily do.

Everyone who enjoys travel, should travel. It opens eyes and transforms opinions in people from 5 to 95 years old.

What is very outdated is the concept that Gap Years are mindless hedonistic experiences. The press should credit young people with more maturity and respect the value they add to communities they visit. Hedonism is very rarely the objective of travel for ‘Gappers’; volunteering projects, cultural experiences, environmental adventures and sporting activities are almost always the primary objective. If the odd party occurs along the way, is that so terrible? We should let young people have a bit of fun….

In the UK we tend to demonise and criticise young people rather than guiding them and allowing them to explore for themselves. We should celebrate the many achievements young people on Gap Years achieve and the many communities they help along the way; not steel their thunder…

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

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

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Tourists to plead guilty / Community work for fraud Britons / Gap-year fraudsters plead to come home

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Title – Tourists to plead guilty /

Community work for fraud Britons / Gap-year fraudsters plead to come home
Source – The Independent / www.bbc.co.uk / The Times
Date – 6th August 2009 / 20th August 2009 / 20th August 2009

This is an update on our earlier blog entry:

· Brit pair ‘terrified’ in hellhole Rio jail

I always try and emphasise that I don’t write / post these entries to vilify those involved or to make suggestion on guilt or innocence, but rather as a warning to other independent travellers. These are warnings which could protect you from some of the potential pitfalls of your actions abroad.

The outcome of this court case has found these girls guilty of fraud and making a false report to the police, they were sentenced to 14 months imprisonment (they could have been sentenced to as much as 5 years) which was converted by the judge to community service and a fine. This is undoubtedly a lucky escape when you take into account the Brazilian jail they would have had to serve their sentence in.

However in sentencing them to two hours community service per day for 8 months, they will have to remain in Brazil for eight months as they serve their sentence. During this time they will have to fund themselves and as things currently stand be unable to return to the UK. Their appeal will no doubt try and address these factors.

Possibly just as bad or worse, both will have a criminal record which may well preclude them from certain career choices.

This will all seem very harsh when in reality it seems that these girls are far from ‘career criminals’ and the facts suggest they made a stupid mistake and an error of judgement. The fact that they were ‘robbed’ is not in question (a traumatic experience as it is for many travellers). It seems that sometime between that incident and reporting the crime against them, they made the decision to exaggerate their loss. Many people will say that this is hardly uncommon; the fact is, it is a crime.

What we emphasise to independent travellers and what we preach during our workshops over and over, is to remember when you are in another country you must abide by the laws of that country and are subject to the sanctions those laws impose. Being British does not entitle you to any special treatment, in fact it can often mean you are made an example of.

It is safe to say that were this crime committed in the UK, these girls would at worst be facing a fine and possibly some community service, so their situation is not wildly different; the problem is this has to be done over 8 months and in Brazil… it adds a rather different perspective to the punishment.

We must also always remember that insurance fraud is not a victimless crime; the insurance companies actually only lose in the short term, it is all travellers who lose in the long term, with higher premiums (premiums which rise every year, in no small part due to the number of claims received by the insurance companies).

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance alongside sessions on, Travel Health, Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, and more.

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

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Brit pair ‘terrified’ in hellhole Rio jail / Brazil ‘fraud’ Britons bailed

Title – Brit pair ‘terrified’ in hellhole Rio jail / Brazil ‘fraud’ Britons bailed
Source – The London Paper / www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 30th July / 1st August 2009

Whatever the outcome of this particular case and I try always to apply the pretext that people are innocent until proven guilty, it highlights the potential for seemingly innocuous cases to turn into very serious ones.

There are many people who have defrauded their travel insurance company; they may not view it as ‘fraud’ and I have met some people who genuinely believe that it is ‘nothing serious’ and that ‘everyone does it’. Everyone doesn’t, I assure them.

There are also those people who have genuinely been robbed, pick pocketed, had bags stolen or been mugged who have taken the opportunity to embellish and exaggerate what was stolen to increase the insurance claim. This too is ‘fraud’ clear and simple. Let’s also remember these claims cost every traveller in increased premiums…

In the UK such ‘small scale’ fraud is rarely a police matter, it is usually dealt with by the insurance company themselves; even if the police do get involved the chances of spending more than a few hours in a cell awaiting interview are minimal.

We tell people time and time again, do not assume what goes at home, goes abroad. The law is different, the emphasis is different and the response is often very different. £1000 in the UK through significant to many people, is arguably not that significant to big insurance companies. £1000 in a developing country is very significant to everyone and much more likely to receive close attention. In many foreign countries there is also a dedicated police force tasked with protecting ‘tourists’, although I don’t think it is unfair to say they are really tasked with protecting ‘tourism’. Where tourism is a significant source of foreign exchange and GDP, the reputation of the tourist industry is fiercely guarded.

Most people realise that to be able to make an insurance claim when you return to the UK you need a police report from the country in which the crime took place. In this case that is what these girls seem to have done and on receiving the report the police seem to have investigated (something maybe we don’t always expect from police in the UK with ‘minor’ crimes) and discovered that there was some disparity between the report filed and the items missing.

£1000 is a lot of money in Brazil and probably a lot in comparison to the local police salary. It sounds strange but pride is a significant factor in many cases and I don’t imagine the local police and judiciary were over impressed by two young tourists trying to pull the wool over their eyes (if this is actually what happened). Travellers who get into trouble are always subject to local laws and local prison facilities. No one wants to find themselves in a Brazilian gaol, they really are dangerous places and two young English travellers are going to find this especially difficult.

I am sure that the truth will eventually come out and I hope even if they have been ‘stupid’ they are allowed home soon, because I would imagine what they have already had to face would be enough of a punishment for even a more serious crime.

There is a lesson here for everyone else.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance alongside sessions on, Travel Health, Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, and more.

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

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Graduates to get gap-year money

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Title – Graduates to get gap-year money
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 1st August 2009

Undoubtedly when this scheme is formally launched the ‘spoilers’ will be out there talking about ‘the cost to the taxpayer’ and how ‘graduates have already been funded by the tax payer during education’, but I for one will not be amongst them.

Opportunities for young people can seem few and far between sometimes and if this scheme allows 500 young people to go off and help communities who are in desperate need of it, then I am all for it. Not only will the communities benefit, but graduates who may not have the chance otherwise, will experience something which will not only change their lives but change their employability and their outlook on the world.

Purely from a political point of view at a time when the country has turned slightly inwards and far right political parties and those with isolationist manifestos have gained slightly in popularity, it is important that our younger generation are given opportunities to see the benefits of an inclusive world.

There are a number of schemes out there already which provide funding for bursaries or funding for young people including the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (

www.wcmt.org.uk).

The benefits of a constructive gap year are well documented, most employers like them, they provide real-world insight for candidates.

Many parents (despite the sense of trepidation, fear, loss of control and helplessness) accept that there are very positive benefits to a gap year. After their child has completed a successful gap year the parents experience for themselves the positive change and the increased sense of responsibility their child returns with.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance alongside sessions on, Travel Health, Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, and more.

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

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Missing backpacker is found alive / Gap-year teenager who was given up for dead walks out of the Bush

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Title – Missing backpacker is found alive / Gap-year teenager who was given up for dead walks out of the Bush
Source – www.bbc.co.uk / The Times
Date – 15th July 2009 / 16th July 2009

This story is set to run and run, the problem is which story it is which will run? A story of extraordinary survival; a story of doubt and mistrust; a story of great luck; a story of ignorance and stupidity; or a story of the heroics of the Australian teams who were out looking?

Everyone is going to take their angle and the media hype has already started; I watched a Sky News ‘Exclusive’ last night which was no doubt handsomely paid for.

I have to say I feel very uncomfortable with the whole situation; I am not suggesting that this was a hoax, how would I know? I am not suggesting that Jamie Neale is telling lies or spinning his own story and for me these are really not the important factors. However I wholly understand the local feeling, that profiting from the strong sits very uncomfortably when so many local resources went into the search, when searchers were themselves hurt and when goodwill shown is taken for granted.

There are many concerns that we should have:

The first is that unless any profit generated goes towards the costs until they are paid and maybe even beyond to show gratitude for the time and effort put into the search, much of the goodwill (and let’s not forget that many of those searching were volunteers putting their own safety at risk) will be lost. Local people will be much less enthusiastic in future to mount these sorts of operations.

The second is that a perception is given that this was not as perilous as it was and that other travellers think they can profit from such situations themselves. In an age of celebrity, too many people want their 15 minutes and this should not be seen as a way of getting that.

The third is that we don’t brush over the errors that Jamie made which led to him being in this situation in the first place. Watching a few episodes of Ray Mears (great as he is) or some of the other more ‘high octane’ survival specialists, in no way guarantees your survival. I’m not saying it will not help, but it is a little like using a plaster to fix a fracture…

There is talk of Jamie now going into all sorts of projects, no one will be surprised to see the book, dvd, magazine and TV appearances; there was even talk already of him holding talks on survival skills…. All a little premature I think, it took Ray more than ten days to learn his skills.

Spending two weeks lost in the Blue Mountains in winter is no joke, the Australian Search & Rescue crews know their stuff and if they were on the verge of giving up the hunt, then you can be sure the chances of survival are slim.

It is so important for travellers to realise that the UK and what they are used to at home is one of the safest environments in the world and that we have some of the best facilities for dealing with people in distress. We are a small country, dwarfed by somewhere like Australia, searching and finding people who are lost is made easier by our relative size. If you get lost in the outback or in a jungle being found or finding your way back is really not straight forward and often results in people never being found.

On a trip to

Madagascar in 2003 I went in search of the elusive Red Lemur, deep in the jungles in the north of the island. With two villagers as guides, I trekked for several hours along single tracks. I was acutely aware that these tracks while easily distinguishable while you were on them, effectively disappeared once you wandered more than 5 meters off them. When one of my guides finally found two red Lemurs high in the canopy, the chase to get a good view was on. Only being able to hear the second guide by his animal calls we scrambled off the track to catch up with him, fighting our way through the sometimes dense undergrowth, sliding down muddy banks and using jungle vines to climb up the other side. When we eventually caught up with him and looked up, there was the most magnificent sight of two Red Lemurs casually foraging.

Right there (as has happened on several trips) I realised I was 100% in the hands of other people. Had I lost my guides, there was no way for me to find the path or a way out of the jungle and had I hurt myself, help was a long way away. You can not always be 100% safe, sliding down a bank in the jungle of Madagascar is as likely to end in a twisted ankle as sliding down a slope in Dorset. It’s just that in Dorset my mobile phone calls for help which arrives like the cavalry; in Madagascar, my guides, my preparations and my kit go some way to helping protect me, but the cavalry is nowhere to be seen.

In the Blue Mountains there are systems in place to help protect hikers; simple steps all of which Jamie seems to have ignored, steps which would undoubtedly have speeded up his rescue. Registering his destination with his hostel, seeking advice from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and taking one of their free beacons, taking more appropriate equipment, understanding the environment and his own capabilities.… hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Independent Gap Year travellers are often referred to by the Foreign Office as the ‘Invincibles’ because they believe they can conquer the world almost without any forethought. Pride, peer pressure and boastability often get in the way of common sense. In a choice between luck and judgement, judgement is always the preferred option.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Health, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

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

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Mother fits gap-year son with GPS device

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Title – Mother fits gap-year son with GPS device
Source – The Daily Telegraph
Date – 28th May 2009

It is not for me to dictate what individuals decide is suitable, appropriate and effective and if this ‘solution’ offers those left behind peace of mind then it has it’s advantages.

It is not something we would recommend during our workshops, not because we think it is a bad idea, but rather just that it feels like it would be a step too far for many people; I also think it could actually lead to more anxiety for some people. Ignorance was once said to be bliss and although we don’t advocate this, there is a case for finding a balance between keeping up with general plans and knowing which street someone is on when they travel to Thailand…

After all if the son does wander off down the wrong street, what can the parent actually do about it? Call them and direct them back? How does the parent know which part of town is safe and which not; and if they have done the research to find this out, why not just tell the child?

I am all for having detailed itineraries of planned travels and a ‘communication schedule’ when people travel, especially when travelling independently for the first time. During our workshop we look at effective ways of staying in touch, because much of the stress of travel is often ‘dumped’ on those we leave behind who have no choice in the matter.

When something does go wrong, knowing someone’s exact location is obviously an advantage; it that I can see some merit in this device. However wallet and person are likely to be one of the first things parted in these circumstances. Mobile phones are soon going to be trackable in a similar way which may negate the purpose of this device. The other consideration is that when similar devices were integrated into clothing for children in the UK, it was found that the actual units were targeted by thieves as their value made them ‘bounty’.

As I said at the beginning of this piece, the measures people take to ‘protect’ themselves or their children and to provide peace of mind is always an individual choice. However preparation is the key to safe travel and many of the risks faced on gap years can be significantly reduced through the risk management strategies which we demonstrate during our workshops. Technology plays an ever greater part in our daily lives and can add a layer of ‘safety’ unavailable in the past, it can also add a layer of false security which actually makes us more vulnerable.

At

Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Health, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more. During our workshop we examine the importance not only of considering the effect travel has on those left behind, but also of the establishment of a communication strategy to reassure family and friends and provide the safety net of letting people know where you are and where you are going.

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

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Missing… from afar

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Title – Missing… from afarSource – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 12th May 2009

I don’t think there is a great need for much additional comment to this article, these tragic stories speak for themselves and the writer hit the nail on the head; tragedy is always difficult for friends and family, but this is exasperated when it occurs so far away from home and in countries where everything is so foreign and unknown to those affected.

The one point I would like to make is that while in these cases the reason for the anxiety is because of tragedy, there are tens of thousands of family members and friends who worry every day, not because anything terrible has happened, but simply because they don’t understand the difficulties in communicating from foreign countries sometimes and do not appreciate that part of travel is to regain some independence and have new experiences.

However this is not an issue of ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, it is a case of everyone getting it right from the start to avoid these misunderstanding causing anyone to worry.

During

Our Workshop we examine ways to reduce the stress to those you leave behind. We examine the best ways to communicate effectively from around the world and the importance of this communication for your safety and for the sanity of those who are left behind; those left watching ‘world news’, which rarely carries anything but bad news, sometimes from the very destinations which you plan to visit.

The hurdles of independent travel are not just for the traveller, but also for those left behind. The feeling of isolation they feel and helplessness can be significant. Especially for parents who may well come from a different generation, one where places as familiar to travellers as Thailand and Peru seem to be from a different world altogether; one they are not familiar with, one they don’t understand and one where their son or daughter who they have been able to protect for their whole life is vulnerable and beyond their help.

We can help you to avoid adding stress to those you leave behind which inevitably leads to stress you will feel when travelling. The pressure to promise to communicate even when communication is impossible sometimes seems substantial; the failure to communicate once promised can lead to real concern amongst those left behind.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Health, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

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

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Princess proceeds on gap year trip despite mugging incident / Mugged Eugenie goes on

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Title – Princess proceeds on gap year trip despite mugging incident / Mugged Eugenie goes onSource – The Times / The Sun
Date – 5th May 2009

First and foremost let me state for the record I am a fan of the royal family and am not going to start a debate on the cost of protecting them, after all they did not ask to be born into that family and they like everyone, deserve to be protected. At £100,000 a year the princess costs comparably the same as (by some estimates) each person we keep in prison costs us… OK it’s an odd comparison, but when we consider people are incarcerated partly for our protection, you get where I am coming from.

The other argument is; at a time of recession, should the Princess be ‘swanning’ off on a Gap Year? Why not, I understand in the main they have been staying in normal modest accommodation including £15 a night beach huts (clearly she could have done with a bit of tuition in haggling) and she is 19, enjoying all the world has to offer and like so many other young people undoubtedly learning a lot about the world, herself and how other people live; so I say let her be and good luck, I hope she enjoys the rest of her trip.

I would also just point out that figures suggest that the recession has not had a substantial effect on the number of people taking gap years and it is even suggested that the number of people taking career breaks has increased. Taking a year out now and coming back to a new career or at a time when our economy is starting to recover, is not after all such a bad idea and may be just the opportunity some people have been waiting for. I also point out that gap years or career breaks can often be cheaper options than staying in the UK; thinking about it the Princess’s lifestyle on her gap year may be substantially cheaper then the one she has in the UK… she may be saving the tax payer money by being away…. who knows…

On the other hand, we have to look at the example this unfortunate incident presents us with. The Princess and her friends are not the first and will certainly not be the last travellers to be mugged in

Cambodia, especially in Phnom Pehn. It is a dangerous city and more so at night; all travellers should be very careful walking the streets there at night.

Some of the things which happened in the incident, you definitely should not copy. Don’t fight back; look if even the best and brightest of our royal protection officers think better of it, there is a very strong message to be taken. I don’t know what was in the bag which was snatched, but let’s hope they took some form of advice and it contained nothing they could not afford to lose.

The fact is there are several ways to protect yourself from this type of incident. Seemingly the most effective is to take two highly trained members of SO14 Special Branch Officers with you; failing this the next best approach is to learn how to be proactive in protecting yourself and understanding what you can do to minimise the risks and the consequences of such situations; for that our two day workshop is ideal.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Health, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

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

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.