Expert Panel Session

Hosted by: Deirdre Bounds, i-to-i.com

Featuring:

Adrian Yalland, Different Travel

Lauren Mackay, Real GAP

Anna Paynton, Rough Guides

About the Session:

Planning on taking time out? Whether you’re taking a GAP year from university or want to take time out of a hectic working life, there are a host of Career Break options available to you. From volunteering to going it alone to find yourself…meet the experts who’ve already done it and cab advise you on where to go and how to do it.

About the Host:

Deirdre Bounds has been proclaimed by the Telegraph as having "Northern grit and determination that represents the perfect role model for business". Former stand-up comedienne, world backpacker, English teacher, outback bus driver and mum of two – this down to earth visionary set up ethical travel company i-to-i.com and went from bedsit to exit in twelve years. Not surprisingly she was invited by Channel 4 to be one of eight entrepreneurs who worked with communities in Africa for Millionaires’ Mission. In the career Breaks panel she brings her extensive knowledge to the fore and puts the oanel through their paces to make sure that visitors get the best advice from our experts.

About the Speakers:

Lauren Mackay started working for Real Gap Experience in August 2005 as a Programme Manager for Australia and New Zealand, later progressing to the position of Product Quality Manager. More recently she has been promoted to the role of Brand Manager for Gap Year For Grown Ups. After completing a degree in human geography at Reading University, Lauren spent eight months working and subsequently undertook a round the world trip. She spent five months in Asia, travelling overland across Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia, and the rest of year exploring Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Travel is still something Lauren is extremely passionate about. Earlier this year she spent two weeks in Costa Rica and also returned to Australia a couple of times. The next trip planned in 2008 is her first visit to Africa!

Adrian Yalland, founder of Different Travel is perfectly placed to give an ideal insight into how volunteering overseas can be a valuable and rewarding element of any career break. Different Travel are one of the UK’s growing number of ‘voluntourist’ companies, providing holidays which combine travel, sightseeing and relaxation with opportunities to volunteer alongside local people on community projects.

Anna Paynton, from Rough Guides spent eight months in Ghana teaching English and working for an HIV/AIDS organisation, before travelling overland through West Africa, back to the UK, using public transport. A Business & Marketing graduate from Bristol, Anna has since worked for gap year organisation BUNAC, arranging volunteer and working trips around the world, from Australia to Cambodia, Costa Rica to Canada, and currently works as publicist for Rough Guides and DK Travel guides. Recently returned from her first trip to India, Anna lives in London and spends most of her time looking forward for her next big adventure.

Different Travel are one of the UK’s growing number of ‘voluntourist’ companies, providing holidays which combine travel, sightseeing and relaxation with opportunities to volunteer alongside local people on community projects. Anna Paynton, from Rough Guides spent eight months in Ghana teaching English and working for an HIV/AIDS organisation, before travelling overland through West Africa, back to the UK, using public transport. A Business & Marketing graduate from Bristol, Anna has since worked for gap year organisation BUNAC, arranging volunteer and working trips around the world, from Australia to Cambodia, Costa Rica to Canada, and currently works as publicist for Rough Guides and DK Travel guides. Recently returned from her first trip to India, Anna lives in London and spends most of her time looking forward for her next big adventure.