A day in the Life.... Maddie R Langley (DON, 21-23)

Taking a gap year is a great idea, especially if you are not quite ready for university, need a bit of an academic break or you are still a bit unsure on what you want to do next. That was how I felt, and I also knew that I wanted to travel but was aware that to do so I would need to save some money.

I did some research and signed up to Letz Live a Gap Student programme - https://www.letzlive.org/, which I would highly recommend. I was interviewed by Letz Live who then contact the different schools, on your behalf, to match your skills and interests and organise your year out. They have contacts with the best independent boarding schools across Australia and New Zealand. Being part of a larger wider programme is a fantastic way to meet fellow gap assistants, as Letz Live organised an orientation induction on the Gold Coast when I arrived in Australia with all other 'Gappies'. I had 3-days in the sun to get to know all the other gap students working across Australia, making connections to be able to go travelling in holidays.

I was placed at Tudor House, a Primary Boarding School (one of two in Australia) in Moss Vale, a small town about an hour and a half south-west of Sydney. Although I am not in the centre of Sydney, the public transport makes it easy to get in and out of the city and I usually head there every weekend I have off! There are so many incredible must-see places which I have visited, so far, including Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, Manly Beach as well as lots of bars and clubs!

Working at a boarding school means that you get to go on some incredible weekend excursions, so although you may be working you still get to have some fun, explore the country, whilst also getting paid! I recently went to watch Australia vs Argentina rugby, many rugby league games, AFL games, go karting, theme parks and am planning to go to many more beaches as it gets warmer.

Working in a school environment, you get to take advantage of the long school holidays, saving money during term time to then plan your travels and explore!! Australia has so many places to visit with all its different cities, beaches and of course, the outback. I am planning visits to the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru in the next few months. It is also quite cheap to fly to lots of countries like New Zealand and Fiji as well as travelling around Asia to countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Providing many opportunities to visit and spend time in diverse cultures away from the UK.

I would highly recommended working in a school, as if gives you so much experience. One of the main reasons that I took a gap year working in a school is so that I could get some experience in working with children, as becoming a teacher is something I am extremely interested in. However, most of the other gap students I have met do not necessarily want to become teachers, but the work experience helps to improve transferable skills such as problem solving, time management, interpersonal skills, independence, and accountability, which lend themselves to other careers.

If having a gap year abroad in Australia or New Zealand is something that interests you, then have a look at Letz Live and contact me if you have any questions about it!!