Stories from abroad

There's no better way to find out about our GapBreak placement then from the volunteers themselves. Check out these stories from former volunteers, many whose GapBreak experience truly changed their lives. You can read more stories on the "My Antipodeans Experience" page.

Luke, Kenya

Harriet, Ghana

Joe, India

Jane (In-Country Agent), Peru

Lynette (Parent), Ecuador

I've been here for a couple months now and it really feels like home. I've been living in a village called Makongeni where at the local school we've been building a library, a well, toilets and just doing general maintenance. It is amazing how happy the people here are. They're living in utter poverty yet it's hard to feel sorry for them when they're so up-beat and generous towards you. The best bit of this trip has been all the kids running up to you to hold your hand, and just being happy to be around you.

Luke, Kenya

After a month, everythingaround us has become 'normal'. The roosters at 5am, random goats that walk around everywhere, "Africa Time", daily marriage proposals. I've been teaching for about two weeks now, English and PE/sport. The kids love sport because they don't normally get to do it. English is great as well. The kids are all SO keen to learn. The school is very basic but serves its purpose most of the time. The other day, I was sitting in the classroom, and this goat made a frantic sprint from a door at one side to the other. That's when you know you're in Ghana.

Harriet, Ghana

Working with the kids was hands down the most rewarding experience of my life. The smiles on their faces when you see them understanding what you're teaching gives you a feeling you can’t begin to describe. The entire experience has humbled me and given me a huge sense of direction in my life. I know after my time there that I've got a much wider understanding of the world, its people and its cultures. The way the program is run gives you a lot of freedom to put your own thoughts and ideas into practice, the more involved you get the more rewarding it will be.

Joe, India

The whole experience has been amazing. I would say to anyone that decides to come to Peru, make sure you take every opportunity that you come across. There are a lot of amazing things to do and see and people to meet. Don’t be afraid to talk and get to know people as you can form some amazing and long-term friendships. I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of such an amazing program. It really has been an experience of a lifetime.

Georgina, Peru

Going on a Gapbreak to Nepal was the best thing I’ve ever done. I had so much fun, met so many amazing people and had so many far-out experiences. Throwing yourself into the midst of another culture is so exciting. The memories I have of Nepal make me want to get on a plane and be back in the action. I think everyone should do it: you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Do it!

Jess, Nepal

Priceless memories. You have to experience it... words can't explain.

Nick, Peru

I had no idea at the time how life altering this experience would be. When I decided to defer Uni, I didn't have a clue what my year would end up like. That answer, it was amazing. The three months I had in Argentina were spectacular and try as I might words and pictures will never - ever do it justice.

Sarah, Argentina

We found the BEST thing was worksheets. The kids had never used them before & we just prepared a double sided, hand written worksheet for each 1 hour lesson and that filled in the time. Seriously, one lesson we didn’t bring a work sheet and the kids were begging for one- they loved it!

In the last 15min or so of each class some kids (usually the girls) would finish their sheet and the slow kids would be struggling so we bought a few packets of pencils and the girls would colour their worksheets and we’d sit down with the boys and make them finish. This worked every time.

Kate, Peru

Today was the last day at the school for the Antips group. All Peruvian schools have been forced to close early for school holidays by the Ministers of Health and Education to combat the rising spread of Swine Flu in schools.

Despite this, the Antips group worked really hard to finish off their lessons and the computer centre so that we could celebrate together with the teachers and students on their last day.

There was lots of dancing, singing and reciting of poems. Each of the Antips received a Peruvian beanie made by the mothers in the community.

The computer centre looks great with six new computers, printer and photocopier. The kids were so excited to sit in front of the machines. They had no idea how to use even the mouse but it won't take them long to learn.

Half the group are off on the Inca Trail on Sat and then they all start their travels to Arequipa, Nazca, Brazil etc.

We have been so proud of this group. From the beginning they were very organised with their lesson plans and required very minimal assistance. The kids have really benefited from the classes and are retaining a lot of information. The were very organised with their project planning, running the budget and ensuring that the computer centre was finished on time.

Jane, In-Country Agent, Peru

I just wanted to thank all at Antipodeans for the wonderful care and support to my daughter. She has had the best experience and I know she has grown very much in her time at Ecuador. Thanks you very much for helping my daughter have this opportunity, with all the care and safety you have provided. It wasn’t easy letting her go, but I knew the benefits would help her, to be independent and to develop communication skills useful for
her future.

Lynette, Parent, Ecuador

I'm interested ... tell me more!

It was an honour to work to improve the lives of those kids and families, even if only for a short time. I could have not asked for a more complete post-Year 12 experience and one that has left me with some many deep, lasting friendships both at home and abroad!

Henry Holm, Peru

Met awsone new friends! Had the best time in my life! Thank you so much! You're the best! Best thing i ever did! great experience

My Antips Experience

See what other volunteers have experienced.

Bryar Hawkins, GapBreak, Southern Africa Combo
I departed for my African adventure in May of 2012 with the intention of a 12 weeks stay. However, this all changed when I fell in love with t ...
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Sophie Mattingly, GapBreak, Brazil
One of the most special parts of this program is that fact that once you have come home you can say “I lived in Brazil for 12 weeks,&rdq ...
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News, 2012, Five tips to for a happy tummy
If there is one thing that will dampen your spirits when you arrive in a new and fascinating country, it is finding yourself bed ridden with a ...
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News, 2012, Volunteer for your mental wellbeing
Volunteering obviously has a myriad of inherent benefits. The most publicised of these is the s ...
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News, 2012, Volunteering is the new black
While our prevailing faith in rationalism and science has rendered traditional religions somewhat superfluous now, human beings’ innate ...
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Alyce Mitchell, UniBreak, Nepal
Stepping off the plane in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal was a pupil dilating feast for the senses and definitely comparable to looking throu ...
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Debbie Bailey, UniBreak, Nepal
My name is Debbie, or in Nepali Miro nahm Debbie ho. I am a mature student and completed my teaching diploma through the University of Newcast ...
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Maddie Roberts, GapBreak, Ghana
I didn’t take a gap year because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do at University, I knew, I’d known for years. I took a gap ...
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Chae Swindell, UniBreak, Maldives
What comes to mind when you think of the Maldives? Beautiful resorts? Pristine beaches? Water so clear it appears as if it is glass?
&n ...
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Emma Cook, GapBreak, Peru GAPBREAK
A bus load of wonderful Peruvian stories that made for a fascinating gap year! I think my time in Peru could be compared to the crazy, outer w ...
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Adam Burston, Lecturer, Cambodia UNIBREAK FACULTY GROUPS
I was fortunate to travel to Cambodia in January 2011, as a Clinical Lecturer with a wonderful group of 3rd year nursing students from The Uni ...
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Rob Hutchinson, GapBreak, Kenya UNIBREAK
I will always treasure my memories of Kenya. In just a few short months, I was privileged enough to live within, taste, witness, hear, learn f ...
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David Murray, GapBreak, China UNIBREAK
The teaching practise has been and gone and, while it was challenging, we were all up to it. It was incredibly nerve-wracking at the front of ...
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Henry Holm, GapBreak, Peru GAPBREAK
It’s been a couple of years since I got back from volunteering in Cuzco, Peru and I still wish I was back there. Since I returned home I ...
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Cathy Pham, UniBreak, Nepal UNIBREAK
“NEPAL? Where’s that?” Were my exact words when we first heard of it through Antipodeans Abroad. By chance (financial situat ...
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Sarah Stevenson, GapBreak, Argentina GAPBREAK
Early this year I got on a plane for 13 hours and landed in Argentina. I had no idea at the time how life altering this experience would be. W ...
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