Amy from London did a cultural experience project in Thailand with Real Gap
Experience:
Organisation:
Name: Amy
Hometown: London
Destination: Thailand
Project type: Cultural Experience
Organisation: Real Gap
What were your impressions of your destination?
Thailand is lovely. Real Gap are not. There was no Real Gap rep in Thailand. They dumped us with a company called Greenway who we had never heard of. There were no reps who spoke English as their first language.
Was the work interesting and challenging?
The activities were when they were done properly or we arranged them ourselves. Too many times was our itinerary not followed. Many items were not as described on the website. E.g. we were told that we would stay in a Buddhist temple. We slept in a canteen next to the temple. Our trekking 'week' lasted 3 days (2 hours on each day) and too many times were we just left alone with nothing to do.
What was your accommodation like? Did you feel comfortable and welcome at all times?
The accommodation was not brilliant. The hotels we were rarely in were nice. Our first 'house' flooded during a monsoon, the sess pits overflowed and covered our belongings. We had to argue our guts out to be moved AND even then they wanted us to sleep in sewage for 2 nights before moving.
Were you happy with the organisation and the staff that were responsible for you during your stay?
No. Our Thai rep did what she could, but she had no power.
Do you feel that you got value for money on the project?
Not at all. I paid £1000 (without flights). It seemed like a complete bargain. It was not even worth half that money. Terrible.
Would you recommend the project to others?
No
