Change happens from the roots up

Expression Volunteer Programs

Become a role model

Do you have something you love? An activity, art form, sport? Imagine sharing that passion to ignite a love for learning.
On one of our Expression programs, you’ll do exactly that. However you express yourself, be that through art or sport, you’ll be inspiring young children from disadvantaged communities and creating a positive impact on their well-being, both mentally and physically.
What better way to experience the world?
GapGuru team members dancing with children on steps of a building

Where you can inspire change

Cambodia

India

Thailand

Nepal

Peru

A group of Gap Year students wearing yellow t-shirts jumping in the air - GapGuru

Why volunteer abroad

Why GapGuru?

Extensive Gap Year Experience

Over the past 18 years, we’ve guided more than 6,000 students through unforgettable gap year experiences.

Ethical Gap Year Programs

All our programs work towards the UN’s Global Sustainable Development Goals and are backed up by our charity, the FutureSense Foundation.

A community of support

You’ll be guided by our GapGuru Advisors and Mentors before, during and after your gap year experience.
A large group of gap year students and local Cambodian children sat on the steps of a large statue of Buddha at the Ek Phnom Pagoda waving their arms and smiling - GapGuru

Testimonials

Don’t just take it from us…

This was an amazing experience

This was an amazing experience, loved every second even through the challenges. Working on improving the environment and volunteering at the park where so rewarding but also the workshops carried out as a team where great to experience.

5

Sarah

Travelled in 2022

I loved experiencing new cultures

This was such an amazing experience that changed how I look at the world and taught me more about what it means to be a global citizen. It also made me realise how much I want to travel in the future.

5

Mia

Travelled in 2022

A wholesome, fulfilling experience

I’d highly recommend this experience to any students. Not only does it look great on a CV but it was tremendous fun to do as well. Overall, a really fantastic experience.

5

Harrison

Travelled in 2022

learnt so much and had an amazing time.

Absolutely amazing. Any issues I had in organising the trip, eg flights or vaccines, they told me exactly where to go for the best info. I was completely prepared for my trip, what I would be doing, and the expectations. I learnt so much and had an amazing time.

5

M. Gray

Travelled in 2022

What to expect from our expression programs

The people you’ll be helping

All of the communities we work with are made up of incredible people with individual stories. But they all face a variety of challenges.

Many come from low-income families living hand to mouth, with not much at all. Others face discrimination as a result of religious beliefs or political powers. Almost all have limited access to education, health services, and valuable life lessons that could increase their family’s income and livelihood.

Our Expression programs are long-term and designed to create lasting change in the communities we work with. You’ll be a part of that, helping ignite a passion for education and an aspiration for a better quality of life.

The FutureSense Foundation

Be a part of something bigger

As a GapGuru traveller, you’ll be supporting our partner charity, the FutureSense Foundation, to work toward the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. These are lofty goals, like ensuring healthy lives, quality education and ending hunger.

Our programs and initiatives with the FutureSense Foundation work towards achieving a ‘Fairer World’, a world in which each person has the opportunity to meet their aspirations for a better future.

During your gap year, you’ll be a part of something bigger, see first-hand the work that the FutureSense Foundation does and contribute to our long-term sustainable programs.

Our Expression programs

Where do you want to leave your handprint?

At GapGuru we’ve crafted our Expression programs to be in line with the UN’s third, fourth and fifth goals of their Sustainable Development manifesto:
As a volunteer in any of our Expression programs across the globe, you’ll help achieve these goals and impact the lives of the children you meet.
Faces of Buddha carved into a Cambodian temple ruin - GapGuru

Expression Challenge

Expression

Cambodia

Taj Mahal India - GapGuru

Expression Challenge

Expression

India

Expression Challenge

Expression

Thailand

A shrine on a mountainside with a backdrop of the Himalayas - GapGuru

Expression Challenge

Expression

Nepal

Expression Challenge

Expression

Peru

How it works

The GapGuru Way

At GapGuru we have the experience to keep things simple for you. With close to two decades shaping over 6,000 trips, we know exactly what makes an impactful, meaningful and memorable gap year. Simply choose your start date then follow these three simple steps:

STEP 01

Choose where you'll make your impact

Pick from five incredible destinations, electing the number of weeks you want to spend in each. You’ll be playing your part to help create a brighter future for some of the most disadvantaged communities around the world.

STEP 02

Decide how you'll make a difference

Select from four activity types that have been designed to be as impactful as possible. All of our programs are built off the back of the FutureSense Foundation, ensuring you’ll be a part of creating lasting change for our communities.

STEP 03

Choose your add-ons

Select additional programs to add to your gap year experience. These can be in the same country as your core activity or in any of our other unique destinations across the globe.

What to know more about our educational Gap Years?

Related articles
No data was found

Contact us today

Chat to our Gap Gurus

If you have any questions at all about what to do, where to go, or how to plan your gap year, get in touch with our GapGurus today. With nearly two decades in the business, we’ve probably had the question before!
A smiling woman with curly dark brown hair wearing a white t-shirt, standing in front of a tropical tree - GapGuru

Need Gap Year Advice?

Whether you’ve already booked a gap experience with us or are still looking, get in the know about everything ‘gap year’. Our comprehensive Gap Year Guide covers everything you need to know, from why you should take a gap year, to information for parents, travel tips, and more.

Sign up to our newsletter

Receive updates in your inbox. Gap Year funding, departure dates, availability, and new exciting extension trips.