We were delighted to welcome back Old Aylesburian Ben Harty (Ridley ’20), who delivered a fascinating and inspiring talk to our Sixth Form students about his experiences backpacking across Asia.

Ben shared practical advice on planning and budgeting for long-term travel, offering plenty of useful tips for students considering taking time out either before university or after graduating. More importantly, he spoke candidly about the personal benefits of travel — from challenging yourself outside your comfort zone to developing independence, resilience and a broader perspective on the world.

A particularly meaningful part of Ben’s talk reflected on his unique experience of finishing at AGS during the Covid pandemic. He discussed how this shaped his outlook and influenced his decision to embrace new opportunities once restrictions lifted, encouraging students to remain adaptable and open-minded when plans change unexpectedly.

The session focused not only on Ben’s own journey over the past year but also on the wider opportunities available to young people who are willing to take a leap, whether through travel, work or other life experiences beyond the traditional path.

About Ben
Ben was Head Boy of Ridley House in Year 13 and left AGS in 2020. He went on to study for a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at the University of Bristol. After graduating, Ben worked in a corporate role calculating private pensions before deciding to step away from his career to travel abroad for ten months.

We are very grateful to Ben for returning to AGS to share his experiences and insights, and for inspiring our students to think boldly about their own future journeys.