Name: Philip
Company: Gap Activity Projects
Job: Gap Year Work

In Feb 2003 (which seems like a lifetime away) I left on my Gap Year Project, which was to spend two ten week placements doing conservation work. I had no idea what to expect, it was all very exciting, when I got there I didnt like it, it was hard work, I was outdoors and I was hot.

But soon I got over the physically challenging side of my Gap year and started to really have a look around and I saw some amazing things, I took in what was around me, it made me more aware.

Back in England now at Uni, my friends keep telling me how aware I am about everything around me, I get excitied nowadays even with the fact that a tree is all green, it sounds weird, but I appreciate EVERYTHING now, all those little things. Yes simple things simple minds, but its true.

My best memory could also be the lowest point in my entire Gap year, and it was when I was in Australia in NSW standing on a beach with the waves crashing in, the sand under my boots and sea as far as my eye could see, and of course to top this lovely image the floodgates of heaven that day had decided to break the drought in NSW and soak me through and through.

We still carried on with the job at hand however, and that was walking up and down the beach picking up.....cigie butts, 1239, thats the number I will forever remember, as that was how many I picked up. I wanted to cry that day, I wanted to throw in the towel and leave, I really did. But I didn't and this is why its one of my best memories, as it showed me that I really could make it.

Go with Gap, they are amazing, they helped me through the toughest stages in my project, and I was safe the whole time I was there. I felt so reassured and my parents were kept nice and sweet whilst I had the time of my life. I have read the other reviews and I can see that Gap must have made some serious improvements since they the mid 90's because nowadays its just an amazing organistaion.

Its non profit, its the cheapest I could fine (beileve me I did the leg work),its been established for ages, its become now a reputable company, with many sort out and thought through projects. The projects are amazing, and there is a whole host of things you could do, ranging from medical work, TEFL to camping and conservation work.

Placements are generally 6 months and the other six months you spend raising the money. GAP help you with all these aspects, they are a guiding hand through the whole process, they understand that for a lot of people this is a very weird and wonderful and scary experince.

If you have any gap year experiences and would like to review your placement please e-mail: feedback@gapyearworldwide.com

Back to gap year reviews