Experience:
Organisation:
Name: Tom
Hometown: Waterbeach
Destination: Tapanui, New Zealand (South Island)
Project type: General Teaching Assistant
Organisation: Gap Activity Projects (now called Lattitude)
What were your impressions of your destination?
New Zealand is a great place to explore, with a massive variety of activities to do and places to visit. I spent every weekend and every day of holidays travelling around the country.
I spent two weeks travelling around the North Island with Kiwi Experience, which was very flexible and convenient although very much on the beaten track. I spent two weeks and numerous weekends driving around the South Island with friends which was great fun.
Was the work interesting and challenging?
The work was really enjoyable and it gave me a good chance to get to know a large part of a community.
What was your accommodation like? Did you feel comfortable and welcome at all times?
I stayed with host families for one month at a time. This experience naturally varied, but I was always well looked after and usually left to my own devices. I made some good friends through this "rotation" system.
Were you happy with the organisation and the staff that were responsible for you during your stay?
I had very little contact with GAP staff while on the project. New Zealand is not a country where you are likely to need emergency help. My host families were able to answer most of my queries and were very helpful in dealing with problems
The GAP staff I did have contact with were very helpful. GAP projects are also recognised by some large employers, who offer internships etc.
Do you feel that you got value for money on the project?
Yes
Would you recommend the project to others?
Yes
