Michael Pennock
Fun down under
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What was your motivation to take a gap break?
Had enough with ‘schooling' and wanted to experience a new culture that was more relaxed than the English ‘culture'!
How did you feel before you joined the programme?
Slightly nervous as I didn't really know what to expect at all... but at the same time excited I could experience something new on my own with the help there if I needed it.
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How did Real Gap assist you? How did they compare with your expectations?
They helped me with everything from flights to visa's to recommending approx how much starting money I would need for what I wanted to do when I arrived in Australia. I must have called once a day in the weeks leading up to my leaving date and on the rare occasion they didn't have an answer they called me back after finding out the relevant information. |
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What was the accommodation like?
Wake Up! Hostel was cool, especially for the money. Having looked around at other hostels in the area they were about the same price but the places themselves weren't as good as wake up, and wake up has an awesome full of heaps of random people to talk to.
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What did you think of the programme?
Fun down under was a great way to introduce you to the Aussie lifestyle, the range of activities was good, surfing to wine tasting gives something different to almost everyone!
What was the most memorable moment of your trip?
The tour guide Pablo was awesome fun, crazy guy who literally was one of the group, showed us some great places to go on a night and day. Had some great stories to tell of his time travelling.
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Did your programme and destination meet your expectations? Any anecdotes?
In more ways than it didn't, again with Pablo- didn't expect anyone like him. I think him being around our age helped as he wasn't just a boring middle-aged tour guide reeling off facts of the city. One time in Sidebar with Pablo and another of the girls from our group, myself and him were ‘permitted' to use the girls leg as a canvas and I think they nicknamed us Pablo Picasso and Michaelangelo. |
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What do you feel you accomplished during your programme?
Made some good friends both in Pablo and with members of the group. And I can now surf which I didn't expect to happen!
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How have you benefited from your experience? How have you changed?
I defiantly feel more confident having moved so far away from home but also comfortable being here as the first week really eases you into it.
What advice could you offer to someone considering this programme?
Like the great people at Nike say... ‘Just Do It!!!”
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 Further information on the Fun Down Under Package
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