News, Updates, Announcements and Musings from the Guru.....

06.08.09  ANTHONY GORMLEY'S FOURTH PLINTH - TRAFALGAR SQUARE

I WAS THERE.   One of the 2400 lucky people to be able to stand up there for one hour doing whatever we wanted to.   I had the most sublime time up there and unexpecteldy really loved it.  I welcomed in the warm sunny morning doing yoga poses and some readings.  If you want more you can watch the recording on    http://www.oneandother.co.uk/participants/Tessa_M     To be above and yet part of the Square was a surreal experience.  They could see  but not hear me and yet those on the webcam could see and hear me.    Two separate lives.     Forr once the over used phrase 'life changing' is so apt.  It really did change me.   A sense of wonder, fulfilment and being part of a newly created work of art.

15.07.09   NEW NAME- CAREER BREAK GURU  IS LAUNCHED  -   SAME EXCELLENT SERVICE

We have rebranded ourselves to reflect these changing times.  I am of course still advising on Adult Gap Years  and exploring the power of travel with you. 

I had a good conversation on LBC with  Simon Calder and his  Travel Clinic discussing the pros and cons of Bt's announcement that they were giving their staff a year off and a 75% pay cut and encouraging them to go abroad and/or to do some voluntary work during that time. 

 

09.03.09 GYG LAUNCHES EXCITING NEW PRODUCTS AT ONE LIFE LIVE 2009

We are exhibiting again at One Life Live, the fantastic show we launched at three years ago.

One Life Live, 13–15 March, Kensington Olympia, Stand D20

Find us there to learn more about our services and products, and to meet the Guru herself. You can also hear her speak at the question and answer panels she is chairing on Friday 13th and Sat 14th March at 4.15pm.

 

Most excitingly though we are launching a range of new services and options at the show, including:

Getting Started: Questionnaire and report
A range of initial questions and a summary report designed to help you discover where you are, what you want to do and where you might like to get to. A place to start getting excited and dreaming big.

 

Getting Clarity:  Questionnaire and report, plus telephone consultation
Personal communication, following completion of the questionnaire. An opportunity to make a connection, share experiences, expand more fully on the issues raised by the questionnaire and explore practical ways to make your dream a reality.

 

Getting Going: Questionnaire, report, telephone consultation, plus personal consultation
A comprehensive solution including a questionnaire, phonecall and face to face meeting offering the time to explore in depth your desires, anxieties and aspirations. Through informal discussion, creative thinking and detailed feedback you will be provided with the clarity and practical tools to help you realise your dreams and goals.

 

Getting Confident: Group workshops
Explore your options in an enjoyable, creative, group environment, designed to give you the confidence and inspiration to embrace a change in your life. Through discussion, fun, practical exercises, games and discovery you will leave feeling ready to take the trip of a lifetime, and equipped to plan your gap year or career break and discover the world.

 

07.03.09 AN AMAZING £1,600 RAISED FOR SCHOOL IN INDIA

After a hugely successful evening on Thursday we have raised an incredible £1,600 for the school in India. Thank you so very much to all of those that came and for entering so wholeheartedly into the spirit of the Party. I hope you all enjoyed all the food, wine, dancers, singing, Indian head massage, henna tattoos and the raffle.
 
From my point of view the evening was a resounding success and the pupils and head of Magno Vale School in India will be so delighted with - for them the large sum - of £1600. I shall be speaking to Anthony Lunch from Mondo Challenge this week to find out the best way to use the additional money. A couple of ideas that I would like is to put some of it towards them having a safe supply of running water, some loos and to put doors between the classrooms.   I will keep you all informed and as soon as I have some photos of the building I will circulate them to you.
 
For all of you, including those who couldn’t make it to the party click on this link to enjoy the photos of the evening taken so expertly and professionally by Penny Young Meyer:
 
http://youngmeyer.com/gallery/magnovale/
 
Again so very many thanks -yous to you ALL for ALL that you did, whether it was a donation, your time, gifts or services and products, and in particular for your enthusiasm and involvement.   

27.01.09 THE GAP YEAR GURU is having a PARTY on Thursday 5th March 2009

I recently returned from teaching children for a charity in Darjeeling, NE India. While there I was inspired by their enthusiasm, eager smiles and desire to learn as they arrived every day in their smart uniforms.  Like so many of the schools in this area they struggle with funds and the possibility that these schools might have to close has encouraged me to raise £1,000 to build them another classroom.

Come and join us at our Indian themed party here in London  where there will be food, wine, Indian beer, entertainment and music amongst other delights. 

HERE ARE THREE GOOD REASONS  TO COME

• You will have the chance to change the lives of 15 children… or more if we can raise the funds 
• There will be lots of food, drink, fun, laughter, music and a  ‘build a classroom’ raffle
• All funds go straight to the school via  Mondo Challenge Charity.
  
  How can you help? To buy a ticket or to donate go to the website -  www.justgiving.com/buildingafuture and follow the instructions or email us  at info@thegapyearguru.com for more information. The first 10 people to buy a ticket will receive a free Indian head massage on the night. 

 

17.01.09 VISA ADVICE: LATEST NEWS ABOUT U.S VISAS

 

Visas are often one of the more time consuming aspects of a holiday; regulations vary and change all the time - as the recent stricter policies introduced for the US shows - but we’ve put together a set of top tips and advice that will ensure you don’t get it wrong.

• Find out if visas are date specific.   It may not be the best idea to get every visa in UK before you set off as some of the visas  become valid on the day they are issued and could be invalid by the time you reach the country, especially  if you’re doing an extended round the world trip.
• Timings: Do you have to arrive and leave exactly on the days you have stated? This is important, so make sure you have factored it into your plans.
• Do it there:  Many countries issue your visa on arrival in the country and for this you often need passport photos and local currency, so arrive prepared. You can also organise visas for the next country on your travels while you’re away, make sure you ask your travel agent or tour operator about their suggestions and which visas are necessary. 
  
• To find out what visas UK citizens need for going abroad and for arrangements and details of their Foreign Embassies and High Commissions in London www.fco.gov.uk
  
• To get a visa here in the UK before you leave you can queue in the famous long lines outside embassies, or pay one of the many visa agencies  who will get the relevant documentation for you. 
  
• Make sure you check out each country's visa requirements before you leave even if you have been before, as they often change – just think about America’s recent visas changes. 
• Space: Make sure that your passport has at least six empty pages in and it is valid for six months after the proposed date of your return.

 

10.01.09 GURU ADVICE: SET SAIL FOR FAR FLUNG SHORES

If you're planning a new year's trip, don't take a break in Europe - now is the perfect time to set your sights a little further afield and head for Asia and India. Why? Because:

• It’s great to feel the sand in your toes, not the rain on your shoes
• You can bypass the dreadful exchange rate of the Euro, and head for warmer climes and better rates.
• Weather: perfect timing to visit Asia or India, warm, sunny and no monsoons.
• Flights are always cheaper this time of year, but especially so in this economic climate. There’s some great deals out there, so get bargain hunting!

See the INSPIRATION PAGES for more ideas on what you could do and where you could go.

 

 02.12.08 THE GURU IS TEACHING IN INDIA

I'm writing this recent update from a tiny little internet cafe in Kalimpong in North East India. As some of you will know I've been in India for the last few weeks, visiting a number of schools and volunteer projects here in the mountains.

My experiences have been rather extraordinary - melting golden sunsets, celebrating Diwali with local teachers, a midnight picnic on Tiger Hill, learning about Kali Goddesses and chilling out in Kolkata. You can read more about what i've been doing here.

 

15.11.08 BEATING THE CREDIT CRUNCH

The last couple of months have been difficult for many of us - the credit crunch and economic crisis is affecting us all in some form or another. But, as I've been telling a number of clients, now is exactly the time to get away. Sounds crazy? It isn’t. 

Top five reasons why NOW is the time to take a year out

1) Invest in yourself Banks aren’t necessarily the safest place to have your money at the moment, so invest it in yourself and take the trip you’ve always planned. 

2) Get some perspective It can be easy in this atmosphere to forget about the really important things in life: family, friends, health, love. So take a year off to visit relatives and friends who live abroad.

3) Learn a new skill Job security is not something we can take for granted at the moment, and this year may be the ideal opportunity to look at a change of career that involves the new skill you've always wanted to learn! Or you can take your skills and or a TEFL training abroad and use them there.

4) Change your life How often have you said to people “One day I’ll…..” At the Gap Year Guru we call this Someday Island. We never do it until we really mean it and make it happen. We often need a push to make us do something. The phrase 'when push comes to shove' springs to mind....  Maybe now is your moment.

5) Heal your heart  In this unsettling and busy world it’s vital that you take some time out, now is the time to do something that enriches your heart and your values, and helps remind you what this life is really all about.

Expand your horizons and do something different.

Don’t delay, seize the dream! Read more here.

 

01.10.08 WEBSITE LAUNCHES

We are very pleased to announce the launch of the new Gap Year Guru website, an in depth source of information, advice, guidance, support and inspiration. Put together in conjunction with Mercury1 we're really pleased with the result. Apart from destinations, ideas and inspiration about your travels you can also find out all about our services and prices. So, check out our pages now!