Name: Leigh Matheison
Gap Year Project: J1 Career Training Visa
Dates: 01/08/2007 - 31/07/2008

Did you enjoy your Real Gap Experience?
So far my experience has been everything I imagined and more. I did get a little homesick over the holidays but my parents visited so it wasn't so bad.  I have gained life and work experience in these past 6 months as well as meeting so many great people.

Were you satisfied with the service provided by Real Gap before you left the UK?
Yes. I was provided with all the appropriate materials and always had Alicia on hand for any questions I need answered.

What do you feel were the benefits of organising your trip through Real Gap? Real Gap guides you through the process, as it can get confusing when it comes to the visa.  They are also there to help before you travel and during your trip also, which is good to know when you are in living and working in a foreign country

Were you satisfied with the programme on-site staff during your trip?
Yes

What were the highlights of your trip?
Spending time with friends from America and meeting new ones, visiting family in America and experiencing new things all the time

If meals & accommodation were included, were you satisfied with what you received?
More than satisfactory

How was your experience in the destination(s) that you travelled to with Real Gap?
So far it has been great I have only visited Texas and Atlantic City so far. But I also live and work in PA during the week and get to spend weekends in NYC, so its perfect.

What did you think of the programme?
It is a great way to live and work in the US for a year, I had previously gone with Bunac for summer programmes Real Gap has allowed me to spend a considerable amount of time working and living in the US.

What was the most memorable moment of your trip?
There have been several memorable moments of my trip so far, so it is hard to pinpoint one. However, some of these have been having my first Thanksgiving, Spending Christmas with family in Texas, Having my family visit, going to Atlantic City in a limo, tubing down the Delaware River in summer and going to see the Spice Girls, ha ha!


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