In 2008, I was concluding my last year of 6th form and looking to go onto university. However, like most final year students, my future career path was still one big question mark. One thing I was sure of though, I wanted to take a gap year to gain some experience in my chosen subject of Business Management - just to make sure I was making the right decision! As luck should have it, one morning one of the GapGuru team gave a talk at our school and before I knew it I was applying for a job as Language, Culture and Communications Trainer for the international company Infosys in India.

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, India

My recent trip to Tanzania was amazing as I had a chance to visit GapGuru's partner schools in Arusha and spend some time with our Tanzania team. It was also an opportunity for me to get an insight into what it is like to be a GapGuru volunteer in Tanzania. On arrival at Kilimanjaro airport I was met by Mr Thomas who drove me to the GapGuru volunteer house in Arusha. Mr Thomas has been working for GapGuru for over 5 years and he picks up all our volunteers from Kilimanjaro airport and volunteers can also use him as a taxi service during their time in Arusha.

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, India

In February 2013 I went to Cambodia with GapGuru for 9 weeks. I volunteered in one of the schools that was set up by the FutureSense Foundation and loved every second! I had never been to Cambodia before and as I went on my own I was quite apprehensive. I had no reason to worry as GapGuru were fantastic before, during and after my trip! Before I left the UK I regularly went into the office to be reassured and to be given every tiny detail I needed in order to have the best possible trip.

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, India

I travelled to India with GapGuru to undertake a publishing internship in 2005 and the experience changed my life. Looking back I'm not sure how I wasn't nervous but I just remember being extremely excited. I was lucky enough to be placed in the best homestay in New Delhi. My Indian family were incredible and the food was amazing. I have searched high and low for lady finger cooked the way it was by my Indian mother and nothing has ever even come close! The family took me shopping, drove me see beautiful places and would always be helpful and offer advice.

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, India

I look back at my time spent in Mumbai with real pride and appreciation. I cannot believe the extent to which the experience I had seven years ago still holds such relevance today. At the age of eighteen I spent three months living in Mumbai and working for Cadbury India as arranged by GapGuru. I remember both the apprehension I felt when I first arrived, as well as the love for the city as I left.

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, India

My gap year was for taking a step back and taking stock of what I had to work with. I knew I wanted to travel; I wanted to see something completely different. Enter GapGuru! I decided to use GapGuru because I had no idea where to start. After two very long and thorough conversations with the GapGuru travel and volunteer advisors I had a complete personal plan for my time away. We looked at every destination and the types of projects and discussed prime lengths of time.

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, India

Following graduation in 2005, GapGuru gave me a great opportunity to travel and volunteer in a new country.  My first placement in Delhi was working for a local charity which translated books into English.  Then I moved onto Kochi where I taught at a local school.  My final placement was in Chennai where I conducted a research project looking at obtaining clean drinking water.  I stayed in India for just under a year and met some interesting people along the way.

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, India

Have you ever wondered why all your friends come back speaking so highly of Peru? Well worry no more, I’ve compiled a list of what I believe are the places you must visit and foods/drinks you should try if you visit Peru on your gap year. Having volunteered and travelled in Peru I have been to each place and tried everything on my list. I give them all 5 stars! Uros Islands - Lake Titicaca These incredible man made islands are made from totora reeds which provide their residents with home and transportation.

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, India

10 years, 10 countries and over 1000 volunteers…it’s time to celebrate! GapGuru is celebrated its 10th anniversary on the 1st April 2014 and the teams across the world and in our Newbury headquarters have been hard at work to make this a celebration not to forget! Check out the GapGuru timeline with highlights over the past ten years. Some of our past gappers have been in touch with their testimonials and wishes and our anniversary video featuring our teams from around the world is now live.

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, India