Visiting The Gambia
Oxford Brookes University
Alan Hutchison & Tony Rea
Gambia-Extra
October 2013
Why The Gambia?
Pronounced cultural contrast; Very welcoming;
Accessible; Safe; English speaking; Connections we
have made.
It’s hot!
The blue marks and figs at the bottom are London averages
Weather data
Locations for visit
 Hotel base on coast
for the visit
 Local village visit
African Village Hotel
African Village Hotel
African Village Hotel
Standard Room at African
Village Hotel
Local village visit
 Time
with family in
compounds in small
groups
 Time with children
 Lunch African style
Outline itinerary
 Educational experiences:
Briefing on education system
with local experts
 Visits to local schools
according to interest – 2/3
days
 Teaching/observing/meetings
 Educational conference with
Gambian student teachers

Typical visit
 Cultural & other
experiences:
 Bush taxi
 Sacred Crocodile
pool
 Local
markets/towns/
museums
 Monkey sanctuary
Teachers comments from previous trip
A “This unique trip has highlighted for me some
major issues within our society and having
experienced a comparative community I can now
try to start unpicking these issues. I feel
empowered by this visit and it will impact
profoundly on my professional and personal life.”
B
“an incredibly precious experience to share
deep experiences with people much wiser than
us…”
Teacher comments
C “from the moment we touched down in Gambia I
knew that I was in for the experience of a lifetime
but I did not and could not have anticipated the
extent to which it has affected me.”
D “I have had to confront my own judgements &
open my eyes to alternative ways.”
Teacher comments
E “A truly life changing experience which will stay
with me forever.”
F “I have also really enjoyed the time to reflect as a
professional. I thought this would be mainly about
the Gambian education system but I have reflected
much more on our own systems and have come
away with more questions than answers.”
Benefits
 Personal & professional development
 Confidence
 Cultural awareness/global perspective
 Possible teaching abroad later
 Possible links to course work at the university
 Relationships with others here and in Gambia &
possible school links
 Your CV and teaching career
Key information and issues
 Dates/times: 10-17 June (1 week): Tuesday to

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



Tuesday
Flights from Gatwick: Dep 9.15am; Arr 14.55
From Banjul: Dep 16.25; Arrive 23.20 (Gat South)
Getting there and back
Travel insurance needed
Passport (need copy of passport page); valid min 3
months after return
Health/safety: visit your local GP inc malaria;
further briefings in situ & before we depart
Key info & issues
 Need minimum of 19 people to go
 Cost: £850 (1 week)
 Inc: flights; B&B; transfers; local guide; group dinners on 1st &
last nights; group travel costs; rice for family visit; costs of
drummers and dancers; 1 Batik session; entrance fees to places of
interest.

Not inc: get to/from Gatwick; lunch each day & other dinners;
local travel by bush taxi; tabs etc; insurance; any other spending
 Travel with Gambia Experience tour operator
 Payment dates:
 Deposit
£95 by Monday 4 November
 Balance £755 by 7 April latest
How to pay?
 Pay in to the university: an account will be set up
for this. Make sure you pay in to the correct a/c &
the finance staff record your correct details.
 Make sure Nick knows you have paid.
 Pay by the dates given, no later!
Contact info: Alan/Tony
 Alan
 01962 827326 office (p/t Tues)
 01823 323728 home
 0752 847 4917 mobile
 Alan.hutchison@winchester.ac.uk
 Tony
 01752 896994
 07544 622 822
 tonyrea@live.co.uk
 Further briefing meeting before we go.
 Your contact details: mobile & email on sheet
Other key info
 Check the Gambia
Experience website for
more hotel info, guidance
on travelling to Gambia
etc:
 http://www.gambia.co.uk/
 Check the Gambia
Experience website
for further info inc
cancellation charges:
 http://www.gambia.c
o.uk/Docs/AboutUs/CompanyInformation/TermsAnd-Conditions.aspx