Gap Year Blog
The AV experience is unique. Find out why...
Is a Gap Year Safe? What Parents Really Ask First
When a young person starts talking about taking a gap year, most parents have the same first reaction: “Is this actually safe?” It’s a completely natural question. A gap year often means stepping into the unknown — new countries, new people, and a level of...
The 5 Questions Every Parent Asks About Gap Years
When parents first start thinking about a gap year, the same questions tend to come up — about safety, value, timing, and whether it’s the right decision before university or future careers. After supporting students on our structured gap year programmes for over 30...
Lessons from the Classroom in Coastal Kenya
As she reaches the midpoint of her AV Kenya placement, Daisy shares reflections from her first month volunteering at Kingwede Primary School in rural coastal Kenya: Jambo! Sitting here in the 30-degree-plus coastal heat of Kenya, I’m thinking back to my school days...
A Bond Beyond Borders: Reconnecting with My Kenyan Student 14 Years Later
Every so often, a volunteer’s experience grows into something far greater than the months they spend with Africa & Asia Venture (AV). It becomes a story that continues to unfold years later—shaped by genuine connection, shared ambition, and the lasting impact of...
In memory of Charles Tiger Kelleway
In 2021, Charles Tiger Kelleway volunteered with AV in Kenya. He spent three months contributing at Msambweni Primary School, assisting with Computing, Science, English, and Maths. He took great pleasure in immersing himself in the local culture, and formed some...
Gap Year Essentials – Travel Insurance
Our friends over at Travel Aware have provided us with some essential gap year advice about travel insurance. The Travel Aware campaign aims to ensure you have the best possible experience when travelling, help you stay safe and understand the risks in different...
Got Your Exam Results? Now Decide To Gap or Not To Gap
If you finished school or college this year and you've just got your exam results, keep in mind that this next year could be one of the best of your life. You just need to decide 'To Gap or Not to Gap'.... Think differently, think Gap Year If you've received...
My Undergrad Gap
After settling into my second year of university, I quickly realized that college life was just not doing it for me. I felt as though I was beginning another year of being trapped inside my “bubble”. I graduated from high school and had moved straight to university. I...
AV Foundation join Cheltenham College to support Kenyan school
We were delighted to welcome Cheltenham college students to Kenya for October half term. The students joined AV to work with the Vanessa Grant Trust at Gogar Primary School. A total of £14,127 was fundraised between Cheltenham College students, Chaplaincy Fund,...
AV Foundation join Oakham School to support Kenyan schools
In 2023, we were delighted to host Oakham School students from the UK for their 12th year in Kenya. The students joined AV for the February half term to volunteer at Mutethia Primary School in Meru county and Sirimon Primary School in Laikipia county, both near Timau....
My gap year in Kenya
Kenya – inland and coast – worlds apart In 2021, Rose Atkinson joined us for 12 weeks on our volunteer program on the Kenya coast for her gap year. Rose was lucky enough to experience both the Africa & Asia Venture (AV) project as well as a gap placement at...
Here’s Why Taking A Gap Year During University Is The Best!
Taking a Gap Year during university is the perfect way to gain experience, feel empowered and still graduate when you planned to! It’s the perfect option if you don't want to take a full year out and you can make sure you really get the most out of the experience....
5 Things to Remember When Travelling to Kenya
If you’re travelling to Kenya this year (or even this week!), there’s a few things to remember to help you get the most out of your visit. We believe in meaningful experiences where you have the freedom to follow your own path and see the world differently. Read on...
Find your own path and be yourself
An AV adventure is about more than just travelling, it’s about making your own rules, creating memories that are just for you and to just be yourself. We don’t believe in the normal route, the well-trodden path, the signposted road. We believe in the road less...
5 reasons to go travelling after your ski season
If you’re trying to decide what to do after your ski season, you might want to consider heading off on a new adventure instead of just going home. There’s a whole host of reasons why you should carry on travelling after your ski season, from learning different skills...
How to take a last minute Gap Year
So you've got your exams results and you've decided to take a gap year, but now you need help planning! Don’t sweat the small stuff - find your ideal destination, book your flights and get ready to go! Read on for our top tips for taking a last minute Gap Year. Make...
What Makes AV Different?
What makes AV different? Well, we know we’re not alone in wanting something different to the ordinary, standardised travel experiences that many companies offer. We believe in authentic experiences that help you to see the world as it really is, in all its variety,...
5 Surprising Facts about Kenya’s Big Five
The Big Five are world famous - the top five animals that call Africa home - and all of them can be found in Kenya (Kenya's big five). However, there are some surprising facts that you might not know about this host of popular animals. From lions to elephants to...
Find 4 seasons in 1 trip with a Gap Year to India
Experience a whole year of adventures in one trip with a Gap Year to India! India is a country of endless variety and contrasts, home to vast deserts, incredible mountain ranges, tea plantations and beautiful beaches. With just one holiday, you can have all the...
Amazing food to try in Kenya
Tired of Christmas leftovers? As you’re tucking into turkey sandwiches for the third time this week, there is so much amazing food to try in Kenya as well as everything else, we wanted to take your imagination on a journey. Travelling to Kenya includes so many...