What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 6pm Tuesday 9am - 6pm Wednesday 9am - 6pm Thursday 9am - 6pm Friday 9am - 6pm

Africa & Asia Venture - Inspirational Gap Year Programs

Name: Africa & Asia Venture - Inspirational Gap Year Programs
Address: Africa & Asia Venture (AV), 13 Petworth Road, Haslemere, GU272JB, GB
Telephone: +441380729009

Home
United Kingdom
Haslemere
Africa & Asia Venture - Inspirational Gap Year Programs

Call Directions Website Contact the business

Real people. Real communities. Real experiences. In turn, you have a genuine opportunity to have a positive impact on a developing community.

Gap year & summer programmes in Africa & Asia for 17–25 year olds, focused on meaningful contribution & personal growth. Join us in Africa or Asia for a volunteer opportunity and get the chance to live and work in the developing world, to have an 'experience for life' and to promote global citizenship. We are a specialist Gap Year company with our own programmes - we never rely on a third party. Founded in 1993, we give you the chance to immerse yourself in a different culture, living like a local with the full support of in-country team.

04/11/2026

Settling in doesn't happen overnight. 🌍

When you arrive somewhere new, everything can feel unfamiliar. The people, the routines, the food, the language and the little things that make up everyday life.

At first, you're finding your feet. Learning names. Working out how things are done. Getting used to a different pace of life.

Then, gradually, things begin to change.

Faces become familiar. You start to understand local routines. You find ways to get involved, work alongside others and contribute to everyday community life.

And as you spend more time together, there's more opportunity to build relationships, develop trust and learn from one another.

It's also where a lot of personal growth happens. You become more adaptable, more confident about navigating unfamiliar situations and more comfortable finding your own way.

This is why time matters. We encourage our AVs to stay longer wherever possible, giving them and the communities they join more time to build meaningful connections.

Because becoming part of somewhere new isn't about how quickly you arrive. It's about what happens when you stay.

Find out more at www.aventure.co.uk

🌍 Find out more about our programmes at www.aventure.co.uk 👆

28/10/2026

Only got four weeks? Make them count.

Not everyone has the time to take a full gap year — so we’ve condensed the AV experience into a four-week summer programme for those who want to do something different with their summer.

Our Kenya Summer Programme gives you the chance to step outside your everyday routine, become part of a local community and experience life somewhere new.

🤝 Get involved in community life and support your host school
🌍 Experience a different culture from the inside
💪 Build confidence, independence and practical skills
🙌 Meet like-minded people and take on new challenges
🐘 Make time for adventure and discover more of Kenya

Four weeks might not sound like long, but it can open the door to new experiences, new perspectives and a summer that stays with you long after you get home.

Kenya Summer Programme
📅 Starts 8 July 2027

Short on time, but ready for something different? Find out more at www.aventure.co.uk or DM us 👆

23/10/2026

Gap year or straight to university? 🎓🌍

It's a big decision, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer.

For some, heading straight to university feels like the natural next step. For others, taking a year to work, travel, volunteer or try something completely different makes more sense.

A gap year can be a chance to develop skills that aren't always learnt in a classroom — confidence, independence, adaptability, communication and problem-solving.

But it's not necessarily about filling every week with activities or travelling halfway around the world.

It's about making the most of the opportunities that matter to you.

The important question isn't just what you'll do next, but what you hope to gain from it.

We've explored both options in our latest blog, including some of the questions worth asking before making your decision.

Gap Year vs University: Should You Take a Year Out?

Read the blog — link in bio.

23/10/2026

Not every day on a gap year is an adventure. And that's the point. 🌍

Some days are about getting up, heading to school, helping with lessons, sharing lunch and settling into a familiar routine.

There might be washing to do, food to buy or plans that change at the last minute.

Nothing particularly extraordinary.

But that's what makes living somewhere different from simply visiting.

You begin to understand the rhythms of daily life, notice things you might otherwise miss and become more comfortable navigating the unfamiliar.

It's not all spectacular scenery and once-in-a-lifetime moments.

Sometimes it's the ordinary days that teach you the most.

22/10/2026

There's no instruction manual for everything… 🌍

When you're living and volunteering somewhere new, not every day goes exactly to plan.

You might need to rethink an activity, find a different way to communicate or come up with a solution using whatever's available.

And that's all part of the experience.

With AV, you're encouraged to use your initiative, work together, have a go and learn as you go.

Sometimes things work brilliantly. Sometimes they don't quite go to plan. Either way, you learn something.

And those little moments of figuring things out for yourself? They can be just as valuable as the big adventures.

Confidence doesn't always arrive with you. With AV you build it along the way. 💛

21/10/2026

Some things you can't pack for a gap year…

You can buy the sleeping bag, tick off the kit list and squeeze everything into your backpack.

But you can't pack the friendships, the confidence or the sense of belonging that comes from spending time somewhere new.

Because real connections take time.

That's why the AV programmes are about settling into one community, supporting one host school and becoming part of everyday life.

Not dropping in and out of different projects, but staying long enough to get to know people, build relationships, understand local routines and find your place.

And somewhere along the way, you may discover you're more independent, adaptable and capable than you thought.

You can prepare for the journey. But some of the best parts only come with time.

16/10/2026

The AV adventure starts long before the airport… 🎒🌍

Right now, some of our future AVs are busy earning, saving and fundraising for their trips.

And before long, it'll be time for the kit lists, backpacks and the inevitable question of how everything is going to fit!

It's all part of the build-up. The planning, the preparation, the excitement (and perhaps a few nerves!) as something you've been thinking about starts to feel very real.

And there's something rather satisfying about heading off on an adventure you've worked hard to make happen.

To our future AVs currently saving and getting organised — it'll be worth it! 💛

14/10/2026

Upper Sixth? Have you thought about a gap year in 2027/28? 🌍

With term 1 of your final year at school or college underway, you'll have lots of decisions to make about what comes next. A gap year might be somewhere in the back of your mind.

And it's worth giving it some thought.

An opportunity to experience life somewhere different. To meet people you wouldn't otherwise meet, become part of a new community, try things you've never done before and find out a little more about yourself along the way.

Whether you're planning to head to university afterwards or still working out your next steps, there's a lot to be gained from taking time to explore the world beyond school.

You don't need to have it all planned out now. But if a gap year is on your radar, this is a good time to start thinking about what you'd like to get out of it.

And perhaps where it might take you… 🌍

And if you're not sure where to start, we're here for advice too. With over 30 years of experience organising gap years, we're always happy to share what we've learnt.

💬 Book a free Gap Year Advice Session with us. No pressure, no commitment — just a chance to ask questions, explore your options and get some ideas.

🌍 www.aventure.co.uk

09/10/2026

Hands up for Uganda! 🙌🇺🇬

New faces, new friendships, new experiences — and a chance to discover what you're really capable of.

Our Uganda programme is all about getting stuck into community life, sharing your skills, learning from the people around you and embracing everything that comes with living somewhere new.

From everyday moments in your local community to adventures along the Nile, it's an opportunity to grow in confidence, become more independent and make memories that stay with you long after you return home.

🌍 Next departure: 4 February 2027

Could Uganda be part of your gap year?

👉 Find out more at www.aventure.co.uk/gap-year-uganda

06/10/2026

Do you need a TEFL qualification to become an AV?

No — it’s not essential.

We’ll guide you through what you need to know during your AV in-country orientation course, including practical preparation for your project and local language training to help you settle in.

But fancy getting a head start? 👀

A TEFL or CELTA course can give you useful teaching techniques and extra confidence before you arrive.

For those wanting a more substantial qualification, CELTA is widely regarded as the gold standard for teaching English as a foreign language, while a good TEFL course can be a more accessible way to build your skills before travelling.

And the benefits can go beyond your AV programme. A recognised teaching qualification could help you find paid English-teaching opportunities during your gap year or beyond, as well as being a useful addition to your CV.

Essential? No.
A valuable skill to have in your back pocket? Absolutely.

Come ready to learn, share your skills and develop plenty of new ones along the way.

Address

Africa & Asia Venture (AV), 13 Petworth Road
Haslemere
GU272JB

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 6pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	9am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 6pm

Telephone

+441380729009

Website

https://www.aventure.co.uk/, https://www.aventure.co.uk/av-parents-guide-gap-years

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Africa & Asia Venture - Inspirational Gap Year Programs posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.