Experience:
Organisation:
Name: Lucy
Hometown: Rhyd-y-Foel
Destination: Japan
Project type: Healthcare work, volunteering in a Red Cross hospital
Organisation: Gap Activity Projects (now called Lattitude)
What were your impressions of your destination?
In short AMAZING! Japan is like travelling to another world let alone another country. It is a strange and wonderful nation where a stong sense of tradition and the past meets technology that is much further in the future than anything we have over here. It is also one which spans tropical through to freezing climates and whose population, despite recent reports, are amongst the friendliest, kind and welcoming that I have ever had the privelage to meet. If you're looking for a gap year with a difference, I definitely recommend you consider Japan.
Was the work interesting and challenging?
Most definitely - every day seemed to offer something new to challenge you but all of these challenges were of a positive nature. The learning curve of my placement was probably the steepest and best of my life and I've definitely acquired skills and knowledge that will stay with me for life.
What was your accommodation like? Did you feel comfortable and welcome at all times?
My accommodation was wonderful. My GAP partner and I shared an appartment in which we had a bedroom each, bathroom/laundry room, seperate toilet, kitchen, lounge and a small balcony. We also had internet access and satellite TV - we just had to pay our phone bill.
Were you happy with the organisation and the staff that were responsible for you during your stay?
I can't say enough for the support that I received from GAP - I didn't have any problems throughout my stay and there was always someone to answer my queries/worries no matter how small.
Do you feel that you got value for money on the project?
Definitely - it probably cost me less for my whole GAP year experience than the equivalent time spent at university.
Would you recommend the project to others?
Yes
