It is a familiar site to the average Londoner: The Hawaiian-shirted boy with long blonde hair sporting a shark-toothed necklace, carrying a large backpack and recounting his recent experience in Nepal trekking mountains and volunteering at a school development initiative, whilst on his return to the detached family home in Richmond (telling of his travels throughout in an accent so lucidly echoing his wealthy background). Yes, it's the infamous Surrey backpacker. The image famously epitomised in the viral 'gap yah' hit and within countless other witty allusions. The question is, where has such a widespread phenomena stemmed from? What are its implications for the UK and the rest of the world? You've just finished your A-Levels at your private school and have secured admission into your first choice university (most probably a Russel Group). All is in place. However, rather than jumping straight into further study, you are imbued with the inspiration - along with many others - of travelling to a distant land and being a privileged amateur anthropologist for a year (or perhaps two). After all, you have the financial means (thanks to Papa), so why rush a degree when you could opt for a 'life-changing, eye opening and humbling experience' taking up your residence at Durham? This, ladies and gentlemen, is the very impetus behind the Surrey backpacker's gap yah drive. Cholmondley Warner, step aside. The first question: where has such a desire originated from? I broach this question in both social and economic terms. A key element is the growing desire to travel that has blossomed over recent years. This is an extremely positive sign from those of generation Y; we are learning new languages, broadening our horizons, experiencing a new culture and departing from the small town mindset that often resides within the richer suburbs of a big city. Above all, one gains cultural transmission. With a view to employment and future careers, this is a huge plus as it arguably moulds one into more of a 'global citizen' - a somewhat fetishized term that we are beginning to regard as a prerequisite to success in an increasingly international work context. Besides from the advantages concerning personal development and improved prospects, one also gains a first-hand, direct knowledge of economic divisions that unfortunately plague the modern world due - in large part - to the effects of Western Capitalism and global wealth inequality. One would hope that this aid these budding explorers to become more aware of the shocking socioeconomic inequalities that reside in so many countries - especially within Africa - and thus become more engaged with social and economic justice. Furthermore, the development projects that these young people involve themselves with do genuinely help to make a concrete difference to the lives of those unfortunate enough to be living amongst such poverty. Consequently, many of these ambitious youths are catalyzing social and economic improvement. In that respect, hats off to them. Nevertheless, the time our privileged gap-yearers spend abroad in these anderprivileged countries are not always as socioeconomically productive or virtuous as one might think. Despite volunteering for a short time with a school or charity, it remains but an ephemeral experience; the volunteers succeed in getting their hands dirty for a month or so, however, it tends to be very short lived and, unfortunately, doesn't contribute a huge amount to changing the underdeveloped social fabric of these places. Thus, the idea of one wanting to get their hands a little dirty before washing them with organic soap from thel local farmer's market so as to boast of it on their already glowing CV's (just below the pile of banking positions they've had with their uncles). Moreover, many of these pre-freshers generate their motivation from the prospect of cheap drinks, foreign women/men, extreme sports, hot weather and local nightlife. Not quite the activities traditionally associated with Unicef, Water Aid or Oxfam. The phenomena at hand will no doubt continue to rise as foreign travel becomes facilitated and the need to be internationalized is further highlighted by society as a whole. For those that can't afford to incur the costs that such an experience comes with, the government should definitely be encouraging more bursary systems. In conclusion, we need this kind of travel to be experienced by all social classes and demographics, not just the 'gap yah' raconteurs whose fathers are stock-brokers and whose mothers can afford to be simply 'ladies that lunch'...