University expedition

A university expedition is an exciting, fun and constructive way to make good use of your time during the long summer vacation. Travelling on a university expedition, essentially, is all about experiencing new things and seeing new places. What's more if you travel on a university expedition it really enhances your CV too - especially once you have to start hunting for jobs when you graduate.

An essential element of any university expedition is that it should always involve some form of volunteer work. Getting involved with a worthwhile volunteer project on a university expedition is important for two reasons. Firstly, volunteering on a university expedition is an ideal way to be a responsible tourist by ‘giving something back' to some of the people or communities you encounter on your travels. Secondly, a volunteering expedition also brings with it benefits for the traveller. By volunteering on a university expedition you gain a far more ‘real' travel experience by getting to know local people and their culture.

A common problem for any student considering a university expedition over the summer is lack of funds. An excellent way around this is to raise sponsorship money for a university expedition. For ideas and inspiration on how to raise funds for a university expedition visit Real Gap's Gap year fundraising page.

Some of Real Gap's most intrepid and comprehensive university expeditions are our 'Gap Year Expeditions Abroad' programmes. These programmes are ideal for a university expedition in that they combine unique and challenging travel with some amazing volunteer projects. What's more if you travel on the Tanzania, Peru or Venezuela programmes it's possible to fit them in to the summer vacation. Here are just some of the things you could get up to if you travel on a university expedition to one of these three places.

University expedition - Tanzania

If you travel on a university expedition to Tanzania you will discover some of Africa's most incredible wildlife in some of the world's best game reserves - including the Serengeti, Kilimanjaro National park and the Ngorongoro Crater. What's great about a university expedition to Tanzania, as well, is that there is loads of opportunity to relax on some of its superb Indian Ocean beaches - either on the mainland or on the idyllic spice island of Zanzibar.

University expedition - Peru

Peru is undoubtedly one of the most exciting countries in South America and is a great university expedition destination. On a university expedition to Peru - among other things - you will learn Spanish, trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, visit the floating reed islands on Lake Titicaca and explore the mysterious ‘Nazca' lines in the desert. On a university expedition to Peru you can also choose from a number of exciting volunteer projects - including the opportunity to work in a remote part of the Amazon jungle on a river turtle conservation scheme.

University expedition - Venezuela

A university expedition to Venezuela combines some once-in-a-lifetime adventure travel with the opportunity to learn Spanish and also chill out on mile upon mile of Caribbean beaches! On a university expedition to Venezuela other highlights includes a visit to the world's highest waterfall, a canoe trip along the Orinoco Delta, a six day trek to the summit of the Roraima ‘Lost World' Mountain and an excellent choice of rewarding volunteer expeditions.

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