Program Reviews

PMGY Sri Lanka, was by far the best experience ever. I have done a programme with PMGY before and that inspired me to go on this one. I have taken part in other similar company programmes but PMGY do it right and is by far the best value for your money. Everything is very simple from booking your place to getting to Sri Lanka. Before you leave, the website offers all the basic info you would need and along the way you will get emails from the team in Sri Lanka helping you every step of the way, to decision making and any questions you might have. Once you have applied you receive an information handbook with every thing you need to know from visa info with step by step guides on how acquire one and also about location, projects and other general information (even what you should back and country background information). The volunteer house is amazing, with a pool and roof top terrace, all meals are included and is local cuisine (absolutely delicious btw). Rooms are shared and allocated by gender, the volunteer house is a great way to make friends and for those who are afraid because of travel, PMGY Sri Lanka have their very own tuk tuk services. These tuk tuks will take you to and from projects, the beach, supermarket...essentially anywhere you would need to go.

I did the medical project and worked in the government hospital and had an amazing time, we got to experience many different departments in the hospital, including A&E, paediatrics, labour room (female only) and surgery. The position was mostly observational, but I can only recommend that you ask questions and ASK to be shown around and what is going around you. But you have to appreciate that it’s a hospital and they will be busy, you need to put in the effort to ask and they will happily show you around and teach you the ropes.

I also did the Maldives trip, honestly if you can I would defo recommend, you will never be able to go in your life for the price of £350.....NEVER!! But if that doesn’t float your boat, a lot of the other volunteers ended up going away for the weekend to other areas in Sri Lanka like Kandy, Ella,etc. If you are ever stuck with what to do there is an amazing team of people like Meena and Bea who will happily help you with anything you need help with and also with travel ideas. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss, I recommend that anyone who is thinking of doing it should definitely do.

I volunteered in Ghana for three weeks. And I wish I could've stayed much longer! The locals in the community and especially at the volunteer house were beyond welcoming. The volunteer house was comfortable and clean. It began to feel like home very quickly. The PMGY workers provided a family-like environment. They encouraged discussions about anything and everything. If something confused you or made you feel uncomfortable someone was always there to talk to you about it.
Placement was usually early in the morning and usually you could leave whenever you were ready to. The kids at the orphanage were adorable and full of smiles. At times it was exhausting and difficult to know the kids didn't have a family, but being able to give them basic attention was satisfying. I quickly fell in love with them and sincerely wanted to adopt all of them. I also went to the school and helped in a classroom for a few days. The students were eager to learn and loved playing with the volunteers.
The weekends were for relaxing, free time, or going on the PMGY weekend trips. I did both Mole and Cape Coast and I recommend both of them. It was a neat way to see different parts of Ghana.
Ghanaian culture is completely different than American culture and it was very refreshing. Going into the trip with an open mindset is the best thing to do. The way they view time, humor, basic conversations and life overall can be surprising, but as you adjust it's easy to fall in love with their way of life.
Overall, it was a mind opening experience that I will never forget!

This past week I returned home from my program with PMGY. I initially started with a two week program but that wasn’t enough and I added an extra week to work with children. Everything couldn’t have gone any better. Pickup from the airport was nice as our leader knew who I was! Reading the volunteer handbook was extremely helpful in what to prepare along with what to expect. It doesn’t capture how truly beautiful Sri Lanka is. The projects were Monday-Friday unless there was a bank holiday going on in Sri Lanka. During the Turtle Project there are different things that have to be done. You cut up sardines to feed to the larger fish, move sand so the eggs can hatch properly, sometimes you get to see them hatch(this is luck and dependent on when the turtle eggs were buried)! There is also painting the walls to decorate to look like turtles with information regarding the different types! The feeding is absolutely the best part. There are super tiny baby turtles, regular sized turtles and massive ones! They all are unique and have their own names! I also did the Childcare Project, this one is different in the sense you get to teach the girls something. That part is rewarding, they also love to dance and listen to music! They’re just little kids who want to have fun however they can. The accommodation in Sri Lanka for the turtle and childcare project was perfect. Ashika made it feel like home and is the absolute perfect person for these conservation projects. The house had a swimming pool, a rooftop, food was made everyday and there was a list of what we would eat each day. They can make accommodations for vegans and vegetarians you’ve just got to let Ashika know! You’ll find that many people there have been or are vegans! It didn’t matter where you went in Sri Lanka, say on your own or with some friends over the weekend, there are many people who can help you find your way or learn the best ways to come back. Ashika and Manoj were always readily available and excited to help out. The energy in Sri Lanka is one to match from everyone. If you’re thinking of trying this out I highly recommend it. There is very little advice I can give to truly help you prepare for this amazing experience, you may find this is what you want to do for the rest of your life as I have. I was only there three weeks! Join PMGY it is something you will always remember and won’t be able to wait to do again.

This past week I returned home from my program with PMGY. I initially started with a two week program but that wasn’t enough and I added an extra week to work with children. Everything couldn’t have gone any better. Pickup from the airport was nice as our leader knew who I was! Reading the volunteer handbook was extremely helpful in what to prepare along with what to expect. It doesn’t capture how truly beautiful Sri Lanka is. The projects were Monday-Friday unless there was a bank holiday going on in Sri Lanka. During the Turtle Project there are different things that have to be done. You cut up sardines to feed to the larger fish, move sand so the eggs can hatch properly, sometimes you get to see them hatch(this is luck and dependent on when the turtle eggs were buried)! There is also painting the walls to decorate to look like turtles with information regarding the different types! The feeding is absolutely the best part. There are super tiny baby turtles, regular sized turtles and massive ones! They all are unique and have their own names! I also did the Childcare Project, this one is different in the sense you get to teach the girls something. That part is rewarding, they also love to dance and listen to music! They’re just little kids who want to have fun however they can. The accommodation in Sri Lanka for the turtle and childcare project was perfect. Ashika made it feel like home and is the absolute perfect person for these conservation projects. The house had a swimming pool, a rooftop, food was made everyday and there was a list of what we would eat each day. They can make accommodations for vegans and vegetarians you’ve just got to let Ashika know! You’ll find that many people there have been or are vegans! It didn’t matter where you went in Sri Lanka, say on your own or with some friends over the weekend, there are many people who can help you find your way or learn the best ways to come back. Ashika and Manoj were always readily available and excited to help out. The energy in Sri Lanka is one to match from everyone. If you’re thinking of trying this out I highly recommend it. There is very little advice I can give to truly help you prepare for this amazing experience, you may find this is what you want to do for the rest of your life as I have. I was only there three weeks! Join PMGY it is something you will always remember and can't wait to do again.

3 weeks just wasn’t enough, if I had it my way I would have stayed for 3 months!! I always find it hard to explain how the trip was because as amazing as it was, it breaks my heart seeing how most families live. It really does put into perspective how lucky we really are.

The PMGY team in Ghana are absolutely wonderful... even Dennis who only says a few words😂

My advice for future volunteers, If you want to go out and help people and make a difference this programme and organisation is for you! If you want a party trip to get drunk every night, Benidorm or Ibiza is for you. Grab every experience you can whilst being out there, at the end of the day, you paid money to HELP and that is what is expected of you when you go out there.

Great experience!
* Good predepature support and informative volunteer handbook to refer to
* Excellent in-country support
* Accomodation is very basic but clean.
* Taught English and worked with Disabled pupils.

* Advice for future volunteers: the house in January is very very cold! A sleeping bag is definitely needed and slippers/thick socks along with warm lounge wear.

Plan your time well and the activities you want to do as time flies when you’re there. Ask Vishy about the weekend trips available and he will help you to organise them. A weekend in Amritsar was my favourite weekend trip to see the India/Pakistan border ceremony!

Whilst in Ghana, I spent two weeks volunteering at the local hospital, Manhyia Government Hospital in Kumasi. This trip was the first time I had ever done something like this and travelled alone, however PMGY made me feel completely safe and gave me support from the start, even from booking to after I had arrived home. Any worries, problems or queries I had regarding my trip were quickly answered by the amazing pre-departure team. PMGY allowed me to experience so many amazing new things and gave me the opportunity to work and learn about Ghanian healthcare.

I was able to shadow in the Operating Theatre and watch numerous cesarians and complex surgeries as well as viewing Ultrasounds in the scan room, and learn about neonatal care. Whilst the role was mainly observational, all of the staff at the hospital were incredibly kind and extremely willing to teach us and get us involved in the project.

Whilst living in the country, you will stay at the volunteer house with the other volunteers and you are looked after by the staff. The people I met were some of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, and we are already talking about all returning together in the near future. Furthermore, the staff at the house really go out of their way to make you feel so at home and comfortable. The project exceeded my expectations in every way possible.

Each of the projects are well worth doing and incredibly rewarding! To anyone considering participating in one of Plan My Gap Year’s programmes, I would highly recommend and jump at the opportunity. Thank you PMGY!

My time spent volunteering in Ghana was the best 6 weeks of my life. So many unforgettable memories and life long friendship made.

Prior to my departure I received copious amounts of helpful information and my questions were always answered by either Josh, Seth or fellow volunteers. I felt very prepared for my trip thanks to the PMGY team.

The PMGY house in Kumasi is basic but has everything you need. Including some amazing workers who will become your family within a short period of time. I felt very comfortable in the house as all the staff made me feel so welcome and I knew I could go to them if I ever had any questions or needed help. The food was incredible. We got a mix of local and Western dishes. I really enjoyed getting to try the local food.
PMGY coordinators Florence and Dennis were always super helpful when it came to planning things to do on weekends or afternoons, organising transport to and from places and were also great company. They always put your needs before their own and go above and beyond to make sure your experience is incredible.

I spent my time volunteering at the New Life Home which I thoroughly enjoyed. A typical day volunteering involved leaving the house at 6:30am and then getting straight into work once we got to the home. Transport to and from the orphanage was very cheap and easy to get. Once at the orphanage I spent the morning getting the kids changed and ready, I fed them, washed up the morning dishes, also helped with laundry, but most importantly got to spend the day cuddling and playing with the gorgeous children that just adore having someone to play with. These kids stole my heart very quickly. I admire the sisters at the orphanage and feel so grateful for the time and effort they put in to making sure the children get what they need in order to live a normal and happy life.

The weekend trips, Mole and Cape Coast, were definitely well worth the money.
At Mole you got to go on a Jeep Safari as well as a walking safari, which although there wasn't a whole lot of variety in terms of animals it was a fun experience. Beware of the baboons at the national park! They WILL come into your room if the door isn't locked!
We also got to go to Kintampo Falls where we got to swim, which was beautiful and refreshing. Then we went to the monkey sanctuary where you get to hold and feed the monkeys which is super cool.
Cape Coast was more of a relaxing trip but still heaps of fun. The first day we went to Kakum National Park for the board walks, stroked crocodiles, and went to the Cape Coast Castle which was very interesting. The Hide Out Lodge was amazing accomodation right on the beach so you could hear the waves crashing as you fell asleep. On the second day we got to go surfing, the instructors are very helpful. We also had a bonfire and got to sing and dance which was lots of fun.

To everyone considering going to Ghana I highly recommend you do so! The people over there have become my 2nd family and I have taken away so many amazing memories with me. This trip gave me a new outlook on life which I'm so grateful for.
Be sure to make the most of your time in Ghana. Speak to the coordinators to find out how you can get more involved, what you can do in your spare time (I guarantee there is always something), help around the kitchen, get to know the staff and the local families.

Thankyou to PMGY for creating such an incredible experience. One that I will never forget. I will be back Ghana ☺️

PMGY- honestly what an experience!!

I have just finished my programme with Sri Lanka and now am currently traveling the country.

The company- could not fault them and their support. Before I left I was very nervous- my first time travelling to a less developed country but Philip was my point of contact and he was so responsive to all my questions. The volunteer hand book we got had EVERYTHING you could need and answered all my questions. They even did a live webinar where the coordinator in Sri Lanka -Meena, spoke to us live online and answered any questions I had- it was nice to see a face who is out in Sri Lanka as a form of comfort for my arrival!!

I did the renovation programme and helped to paint the pre-school that PMGY are building. The pre-school is for the orphan's who are too young to go to school and for children of the local village who's parents need to go away to work during the day and need looking after. It was incredible to see how much impact I made during my time there.

All the local staff were super helpful- Emma and Ash were always around when I needed help and advised me on my travels that I am doing now.

I will definitely volunteer with PMGY again, I felt supported, I felt safe, I felt looked after! Also the accommodation and food is sooo nice, the sisters are really lovely, so thats a bonus!

Would advise anyone to volunteer with PMGY, the fee's are so transparent and the UK staff were all previous volunteers as well so they really knew how we were feeling and what we wanted!!

I volunteered this year in Bali with Plan My Gap Year as an English teacher. I volunteered with PMGY before in Cambodia and I also volunteered in India, I had such a great experience with PMGY before that I just knew I had to go again. I am so so so glad I decided to go to Bali because this one might have been the best so far! I already knew that PMGY is super affordable and helpful throughout the whole process, because I've been with them to Cambodia so choosing them again was a no-brainer for me. They answer all your questions, big or small within a few hours and I felt that they were always happy to help. Getting my visa for Indonesia was a bit more difficult than expected but I just gave them a call and they walked me through the whole process and gave me tips. They are also very clear about their fees which is really important to me, you know exactly how money goes towards covering your project and stay and I love how honest they are about this. It's something that I miss from a lot of other volunteer organizations. They also provide you with a volunteer handbook which literally contained all the information I needed, packing lists, weekend tips you name it! I felt that I was well prepared before I went to Bali also because I joined one of their pre departure webinars which gave me a chance to ask any additional questions I had.

My stay in Bali was absolutely phenomenal! If I could have given it a 11/10 I would! The volunteer accomodation is so beautiful that it almost looks like a hotel, it has a pool, an amazing rooftop terrace to watch sunset (and sunset if you want to get up really early, I did it once and it was worth it ;) ) and a lot of communal areas to chill around with other volunteers, all the rooms have AC as well! The food they did was so tasty and delicous as well, a lot of different options and also some western food once or twice a week. I am a vegetarian but this was no problem here! I've had the best fake chicken (tempeh :P) wrap here so far! The ladies in the kitchen are so nice and they are always happy to assist you if you want to cook something yourself or if you just want to cut up some fruit or whatever. Ketut (the host 'mom' ) always told us that we shouldn't go to bed hungry so we could always ask for some more if we wanted. Ketut is such a lovely lady who really felt like my Balinese mom, I was afraid I might feel a little homesick but she's is always there if you need help with anything or if you just need a chat or a hug. The rest of her family is also really helpful and nice, Indra (her son) and Rush (her husband) helped us arrange transport if we wanted to go out and they would also help with planning weekend trips etc. I felt like they welcomed me into their home which was such an nice feeling. Because the family lives next to the volunteerhouse we still had our privacy but it was nice to know that they were always there if we needed anything.

I volunteered at Akasa School which was established by Ketut to help the community, she told us that this has been her dream for years to be able give back to her local community and to teach the children English so that they can grow in life. I think it's so nice that she actually wants to give back and help, you could tell that she is so passionate about this and she is so grateful for every volunteer who comes and helps her continue her dreams! The kids at the school are so sweet and smart, they kept suprising me with how good their English was, it was so nice to see them enjoy learning and see their knowledge grow week by week! There's a lesson planning session every Monday to help all the teaching volunteers prepare their lessons and you could also get supplies like books and pencils from the local team, since I already had some experience teaching abroad I didn't really need help but it was nice to know that I could use all their supplies and printer to use for my project.

All in all I had an amazing experience and I'm already thinking of going back next summer to Bali! The island, the people, the food, the chill vibes, everything is just perfect in Bali! Because Bali is relatively small compared to other islands you can do a lot in just a short amount of time, I spent 8 weeks in Bali and got to do everything that I wanted: Canggu, climbing Mount Batur, watching the dolphins in Lovina, going to Nusa Penida and Ubud.
I got real ' eat pray love ' vibes wherever I went and I just felt so relaxed and happy exploring this beautiful island while also giving back and helping the local community!

I would definitely recommend the Bali Teaching program to anyone who wants the best of both worlds: volunteering and traveling!