Experience:
Organisation:
Name: Lizzi
Hometown: Ashby De La Zouch
Destination: North West India
Project type: Teaching English
Organisation: Gap Activity Projects (now called Lattitude)
What were your impressions of your destination?
My impressions of the destination? India itself is a fascinating country, but definitely one that takes a bit of getting used to - when you first arrive you very much feel as though you have been thrown in at the deep end, and the best thing you can do is just to get out there amongst the people and learn the way it is done - thats what we did in Delhi for the first few days...daunting but well worth the effort in the long run. Up in the North West of the country things were a lot calmer (we'd been told about this and so were expecting the relative calmness and remoteness)and we were able to experience the more beautiful, rural aspects of the country. The placement itself was beautiful, comfortable, and as well organised as a placement with notoriously vague Tibetans can be. The people were warm, welcoming and friendly, and there were lots of places to go if you looked hard enough. I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else.
Was the work interesting and challenging?
I think with all things like this the work is as interesting and as challenging as you want it to be, and as you subsequently make it. I probably could have got away with doing less work than I did, but i wouldn't have the same sense of achievement that i have now if that had been the case. We taught for about 7 hours a day including private lessons, and then there was planning and marking which again, you can do as much or as little of as you want - it just depends how much of a difference you're willing to make.
What was your accommodation like? Did you feel comfortable and welcome at all times?
The accommodation was fine, they weren't entirely sure where they were going to put us in the first instance but that was soon sorted out and we had fab rooms that were adequately equipped, comfortable and safe - we were able to lock doors and draw curtains which gives you that added bit of privacy and safety that you want and need when you're that far away from home.
Were you happy with the organisation and the staff that were responsible for you during your stay?
Yes, Gap Activity Projects were fantastic - they couldn't have been better and I felt safe with them, as well as my family feeling safe with me being with them (which is always good).
Do you feel that you got value for money on the project?
Yes, I do. I like that you get a proper breakdown of where your money is going, why it is going there, and how you can help yourself to earn/fundraise that money.
Would you recommend the project to others?
Yes
