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About Us

Student volunteer travel

 

Antipodeans Abroad is an independent family-owned Australian company that has been creating unique student travel experiences for over 20 years. Whether you're at school, taking a gap year or studying at university, our range of educational travel programs will take you to the heart of the local people and their culture making your travel experience rewarding and inspiring.

 

Our educational travel programs are designed to develop young Australian and New Zealand students through leadership, personal challenge and cultural immersion experiences. We are the original Australian school-based expedition specialist, and have a wealth of experience working with young people in developing countries as well as selected first-world destinations.

 

OUR COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Our volunteer programs incorporate sustainable, grassroots projects that will enrich your travels and benefit a small community. Our students work and volunteer with local people in the areas of education, health care, social work, conservation, building and renovation.

 

WHAT SETS US APART?
Our background is in education. Over many years Antipodeans Abroad has built a solid understanding of young people's educational needs. We tailor our programs to suit those changing needs and requirements. Whether you're part of a school group, a gap year student or university student we will provide you with an unforgettable cultural experience.

There are a number of reasons why Antipodeans Abroad is one of the leading volunteer travel providers:

 

  • Over 20 years experience working with young people in developing countries

  • Australian family owned and operated
  • We work exclusively with young people
  • We employ experienced Australian Leaders
  • Our background is in education - founder, Colin Carpenter was a teacher for 24 years
  • Easy to contact Australian head office in Sydney
  • Intensive pre-departure preparation and training for all students
  • You will be assigned your own personal manager
  • Extensive risk management experience and practice, ensuring all placements are structured and well-managed
  • You’re not alone! Our students always travel with a group of other Antipodeans Abroad volunteers. Group size ranges from 4-20 depending on destination
  • Professional and experienced in-country partners to facilitate and support all volunteer placements
  • 24-hour support and back-up for the duration of your placement
  • 24-hour medical consultant at Travellers' Medical and Vaccination Clinic

 

 

A WORD FROM OUR FOUNDER
Antipodeans Abroad founder, Colin Carpenter, organised his first Himalayan expedition for school students more than 30 years ago. He urges young people to go and meet the other tribes of the world; hear their stories, share their hospitality and get to know their culture.

 

Our unique travel experiences help students to discover a world of opportunity, skills to learn, people to meet, languages to master and trails to follow. They gain understanding and return knowing they have made a difference. The experience changes their view of the world and their place in it. Colin Carpenter



Our partners include:

 Language Immersion, volunteer travel, Volunteer South East Asia, Gap year volunteer, Volunteering overseas            Logo_800mmX600mm-(3).jpg
                 

 

 

I'm interested ... tell me more!
The company operation is very professional, yet at the same time there is a unique informality that underpins the relationship. Trips are fun, adventurous and at times challenging, so that there is a decided sense of deep satisfaction and accomplishment at the end of a journey.

Kathleen Platz, Teacher, Expeditions Program

Met awsone new friends! Had the best time in my life! Thank you so much! You're the best! Best thing i ever did! great experience

My Antips Experience

See what other volunteers have experienced.
  • Bryar Hawkins, GapBreak, Southern Africa Combo

    I departed for my African adventure in May of 2012 with the intention of a 12 weeks stay. However, this all changed when I fell in love with t ...

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  • Sophie Mattingly, GapBreak, Brazil

    One of the most special parts of this program is that fact that once you have come home you can say “I lived in Brazil for 12 weeks,&rdq ...

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  • News, 2012, Five tips to for a happy tummy

    If there is one thing that will dampen your spirits when you arrive in a new and fascinating country, it is finding yourself bed ridden with a ...

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  • News, 2012, Volunteer for your mental wellbeing

    Volunteering obviously has a myriad of inherent benefits. The most publicised of these is the s ...

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  • News, 2012, Volunteering is the new black

    While our prevailing faith in rationalism and science has rendered traditional religions somewhat superfluous now, human beings’ innate ...

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  • Alyce Mitchell, UniBreak, Nepal

    Stepping off the plane in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal was a pupil dilating feast for the senses and definitely comparable to looking throu ...

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  • Debbie Bailey, UniBreak, Nepal

    My name is Debbie, or in Nepali Miro nahm Debbie ho. I am a mature student and completed my teaching diploma through the University of Newcast ...

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  • Maddie Roberts, GapBreak, Ghana

    I didn’t take a gap year because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do at University, I knew, I’d known for years. I took a gap ...

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  • Chae Swindell, UniBreak, Maldives

    What comes to mind when you think of the Maldives? Beautiful resorts? Pristine beaches? Water so clear it appears as if it is glass?
    &n ...

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  • Emma Cook, GapBreak, Peru GAPBREAK

    A bus load of wonderful Peruvian stories that made for a fascinating gap year! I think my time in Peru could be compared to the crazy, outer w ...

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  • Adam Burston, Lecturer, Cambodia UNIBREAK FACULTY GROUPS

    I was fortunate to travel to Cambodia in January 2011, as a Clinical Lecturer with a wonderful group of 3rd year nursing students from The Uni ...

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  • Rob Hutchinson, GapBreak, Kenya UNIBREAK

    I will always treasure my memories of Kenya. In just a few short months, I was privileged enough to live within, taste, witness, hear, learn f ...

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  • David Murray, GapBreak, China UNIBREAK

    The teaching practise has been and gone and, while it was challenging, we were all up to it. It was incredibly nerve-wracking at the front of ...

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  • Henry Holm, GapBreak, Peru GAPBREAK

    It’s been a couple of years since I got back from volunteering in Cuzco, Peru and I still wish I was back there. Since I returned home I ...

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  • Cathy Pham, UniBreak, Nepal UNIBREAK

    “NEPAL? Where’s that?” Were my exact words when we first heard of it through Antipodeans Abroad. By chance (financial situat ...

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  • Sarah Stevenson, GapBreak, Argentina GAPBREAK

    Early this year I got on a plane for 13 hours and landed in Argentina. I had no idea at the time how life altering this experience would be. W ...

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Sweet as Check that out

Latest blog Posts

All dressed up for a Nepali wedding Friday, May 17 2013 Read Post
Question and answer with GapBreak Argentina Friday, May 17 2013 Read Post
Safari straight up? All in the first week of the Southern Africa Combo Friday, May 17 2013 Read Post
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Latest Videos

Antipodeans Abroad Expedition Program

Antipodeans Abroad Expedition Program

GapBreak Tanzania 2011 - By Georgia Leonard

GapBreak Tanzania 2011 - By Georgia Leonard

Volunteer Nepal 2011 with Antipodeans Abroad

Volunteer Nepal 2011 with Antipodeans Abroad

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