Plan My Gap Year (PMGY)

The volunteer trip to South Africa was a unique experience that you live once in lifetime. First the country of South Africa has the most beautiful and majestic landscapes I have ever seen. The nature and the wild animals combined just astonish you! The program was perfect when it comes to the transportation, quality of accommodation and food in the reserve and staffs communication and friendliness. Especially the staff were so kind and caring that are one of the main reasons that I would return to the program just to see them again and see how they doing. The program has the full Africa safari and animal close encounter experience that it promises.

If your thinking about it, just book!

6 months ago today I’d booked with PMGY, quit my job, packed my bags and I was on my way to Ghana (thinking what on earth am I doing?!). I spent months and months going over it in my head and eventually just went for it and it is the best decision I have ever ever made! PMGY are simply amazing. Every country I have been to, every project, every member of staff I have met/spoken to, every weekend trip I’ve been on; has just been outstanding! Every new volunteer I meet asks which country has been my favourite and I just can’t answer, every destination has been great for all different reasons!

Ghana is a very authentic experience and you really really make a difference at the projects. The people in Ghana are so full of life and infectious energy!

Tanzania is such a beautiful country with some amazing day/weekend travel opportunities. Safaris, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar- beautiful! The childcare project at Rafiki School is just the best!

South Africa (Game Reserve) was insane! Working with the big 5 everyday, taking care of the ones in the rehabilitation centre, going out on game drives and helping maintain the reserve, very surreal! The accommodation is great and you have access to all of the hotel facilities too!

Sri Lanka is everything! Projects, travelling, partying, relaxing… you name it we did it! Staff are amazing and the friendliest people I’ve ever met- I miss it sooo much! It felt and still feels like home even though I’ve left.

I’m now in India (which is equally as amazing) and will be moving onto Nepal, Bali and hopefully Vietnam if my savings can stretch to it!

My biggest worry was being homesick but having a routine with the volunteering, living at the houses and having the staff around to help with anything straight away; has really helped. Every weekend I go away travelling and always look forward to going back ‘home’ to the volunteer house afterwards.

I can’t wait to see what the rest of my year has in store! Thank you PMGY!

I have joined the Plan My Gap Year Mental Health Program in Ghana in May 2022 and I can honestly say it has changed my life in positive ways.
Coming to a foreign country where a lot of things are different than you are used to and having to adapt was interesting & at times challenging experience, however the staff support made it immensely easier.
The experience was invaluable and good communication as well as respect towards every volunteer made the journey to new country & adapting to new culture a piece of cake.
Each and every volunteer was treated as part of the family and everyone's opinion was valued.
The two weeks I was there flew by and I wanted to extend my trip, nevertheless it was not possible due to responsibilities awaiting back home.
I wish with all my heart to return to Ghana and to be able to see everyone again. I miss Ghana and everyone there more than words can described.

I can hands down say that deciding to do plan my gap year bail was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! I did the real Bali experience which was incredible allowing me to see the variety Bali has to offer in a safe and secure way! Budi and Mr C were the best guides we could have asked for making sure we had EVERYTHING we could want! I then volunteered for 2 weeks doing the English teaching project which wasn’t long enough in my opinion where I was welcomed into the volunteer house by Indra and his family! All in all I can say if you’re on the fence about whether to go out not I say DO IT! you won’t regret it! I’m already planning on which plan my gap year destination to go next! :)

I’ve just got home from spending 3 weeks in Ghana. I spent my time doing the childcare program (the orphanage) while your at this placement you’ll be changing nappies, feeding the children, giving them all your attention and comforting them. I can’t describe the feeling it gives you looking after them, they’re so precious and every single one of them will have a special place in my heart always. It’s a really rewarding thing to do but it is very emotional. I was originally supposed to be going to Ghana in July but I had a few problems with my visa being processed as there was a hold up and I can’t thank Cassy enough for all her help, every problem and question I had she got sorted, her replies were also very fast too. While I was staying at the house there was never a time I felt unsafe and I’d like to thank all the staff and taxi drivers for that, they really do make your time there extra special. I’d definitely like to come back to Ghana one day

I had the most wonderful time in Tanzania! Volunteering at the hospital was one of the most eye opening experiences I have even been a part of. Although my role was mostly observational, I was able to see multiple minor surgeries and draw blood for the first time. I loved getting immersed in the culture and learning to greet the locals in Swahili and bargain at the markets. The landscapes and animals that I saw were beyond anything I expected and I highly recommend a safari to the Serengeti if possible. Above all my favorite part was all of the great people I met!! It was so cool to be living with people from 10+ countries and learning about their lingo and way of life as well.

I spent 2 weeks volunteering with PMGY Bali. I hadn’t done volunteer projects before much less going overseas alone, but the support provided was amazing. There were zoom calls you could join before going in which you could ask any questions you had which helped ease any worries I had about going. The food and accommodation was great as-well as the staff who were there for you whenever you needed it. The other volunteers were great and I wasn’t as nervous about meeting and living with people I had never met before. The projects it’s self was amazing I loved that I got to work on something different each day. My whole time there was amazing and I had to stop myself from asking if I could stay for longer.

The pre-departure help was amazing. The international team provided answers to all of my questions and offered a great support. At the final destination, everything was planned and arranged. The pick-up at the airport was trouble-free. The accommodation in Bali was clean and had everything you need. Indra and his family made you feel very welcome. It felt like a second home. There are different projects everyday if you do the wildlife one, which is so cool. I got to meet so many different species and got to be in direct contact with them by feeding, cleaning and by taking care of them. Overall, I am more than happy that I could experience PMGY Bali.