Life changing expedition!

I decided to go on a Raleigh expedition during my gap year after hearing about them through a friend. I had never travelled to a developing country before, so Raleigh's good reputation and safety record made travelling independently less daunting. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made!
Arriving in Tanzania was a massive culture shock. The busy streets, vibrant colours and music really opened my eyes to a world beyond textbooks and exams. On our sanitation project, we built tippy taps and taught the children the importance of hygiene. The school was so remote, it was never somewhere that you would be able to visit as a tourist. The work we did at the school really did make a difference and it was great fun to interact with the children!
What is truly unique about a Raleigh expedition is its combination of helping rural communities in developing countries, at the same time as developing volunteers as individuals. The volunteer managers (aged 25+) are exceptional in offering advice in life. They recognise the potential of 17-24 year olds and their importance in ensuring that future generations are developing in a sustainable way.
On my gap year I also travelled independently to New Zealand and completed more volunteer work in Fiji. My experiences in these countries were fantastic, but nothing compares to the Raleigh spirit and ethos on expedition. It is truly a unique environment combining people of all ages and backgrounds from countries around the world. I made friends for life on my expedition; I even went on holiday a year later with 3 girls I met in Tanzania. I am proud to say that I took part in a Raleigh expedition: quite simply it changed my life. It gave me time to think and evaluate my life at the same time as helping those in need rural communities and helping to conserve their stunning environment. I would recommend Raleigh to anyone!