Gap year case study - Sarah teaches children in South Africa

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Teaching in Wild Coast School, South Africa with Real Gap

What was your motivation to take a gap break?
I came straight to uni from school because I felt like if I took a gap year I’d just never come back to studies! But I knew I still loved travelling and so was looking for a trip to do in the summer after completing my first year at uni. I needed to work for some of the holidays, so this month away at the end of it was the perfect arrangement.

How did you feel before you joined the programme?
My main feeling before I left was that I was so excited to get into the schools and meet the kids. I was also keen to know what South Africa would be like as I have done some similar travelling before so knew I loved the experience, but had never been to South Africa. I was quite nervous though as I signed up on my own and didn’t know what my team would be like or if people would already know each other.

How did Real Gap assist you? How did they compare with your expectations?
Real Gap helped me a lot with all the questions I had before I left – lost count of how many times I called them! Also used their recommended place to get flights and they sorted out a student ticket which saved me a lot more money then trying to buy them independently would have done. They were helpful in reassuring me about signing up on my own and gave me some good suggestions as I basically called them saying I’m looking to join a group project for a month away at the end of the summer – help me?!

What was the accommodation like?
The accommodation was nicer than I expected it would be, the house was so pretty and in a great location just by the beach and near the bar and shop. The village is really nice and its handy as well that the accommodation is close to the office where we get picked up for school in the morning. It’s also right where we run the sports afternoons and so it was nice to have the kids in our environment outside school.

What did you think of the programme?
The programme was really good, the best part is obviously the kids! The schoolwork is amazing, and although it can be a bit frustrating trying to explain the really basic computer stuff when they’re all at different levels, it is a really great experience. There was more work than I expected – we spent most afternoons doing a lot of lesson planning, but then was really rewarding seeing the kids do something you actually wrote for them. The environmental work is a nice break from the computer labs and helps you feel like you’re helping in every area for the schools too.

What was the most memorable moment of your trip?
The Transkei day trip in the introduction week was so good – driving up to the transkei, cliff jumping, walking and then spending the night with the legendary Mama Tofu in her village. Of course, the kids have to be the most lasting memory – they’re cheeky in a good way and always so pleased to see you. They have so much energy even though they can be a handful they are just great. I really liked seeing them at school and then recognising them again at the sports afternoons, getting a chance to know them even better too. Did your programme and destination meet your expectations? Any anecdotes? Definitely met my expectations both in the gorgeous destination and the great project. One funny moment when the kids turned up for sport with a half broken plastic football, and when we started playing rounders, they made it into a helmet for the bowler to wear! Also, we organised a football tournament for the kids but on the day it scheduled for, it was pouring with rain. Expecting to have to call it off we waited outside just in case any kids showed up, and as soon as it go to the time, loads of them came down the road! We took them to the beach and even thought the rain was coming down in sheets they all stayed and played, most of them in bare foot apart from one boy who had a single football boot on! And another who had what can only be described as a laddered pair of tights on his head! It was so great they loved it and when it got to the final match they all spontaneously started singing football chants and dancing round the pitch!

What do you feel you accomplished during your programme?
I feel like I helped the kids on their computer work, which is obviously the aim of the project, but also loved helping out with the environmental work repairing schools and planting out the garden, so feel I accomplished something by helping them in a wider sense than just the computer literacy.

How have you benefited from your experience? How have you changed?
The main benefit would be the fantastic memories of working with the kids – I’m sure they are all anyone who does this project can talk about!!! I’ll never forget my time with them, was crying my eyes out when it was time to leave them! I wouldn’t say I’d changed dramatically other than going on about the School all the time! Certainly made memories that will stay with me for life though and had an amazing time

What advice could you offer to someone considering this programme?
Go for it! It’s really worth it, be prepared to work hard as there’s more lesson planning work than I thought, but it is so worth it because the kids love having you there and it’s an experience you’ll never forget. Also take every opportunity to do the extra stuff like surfing and safari’s because you’re in such a fantastic location!