Hear all about Olivia's time teaching English as part of her gap year in Bali.
During my gap year I knew I wanted to try something new and travel, but I really didn’t know how. I researched into lots of programmes and found The Mighty Roar. They were really helpful and provided me with loads of information and even Zoom calls, I cannot recommend them enough. I was extremely nervous about travelling on my own to Bali (and so were my parents) but The Mighty Roar reassured me with the organisation and constant updates within the programme.
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I personally chose to do the teaching programme in Bali because it was one of my dream destinations and I loved the idea of living on a beach.
"I can honestly say, I did not want to leave! I’d go back in a heartbeat to do it all over again. "
When I arrived in Bali I was picked up by a member of the team waiting for me at the airport and taken straight to camp. Even in the car ride to camp I was instantly put at ease and made friends on the way. When I arrived in camp we were given a tour of the place and all the staff introduced themselves.
The staff were so so kind and helpful if I ever needed anything I knew I could rely on them even when I went travelling on the weekends. The camp was so homely, every time we went away on the weekends we all said we couldn’t wait to get back to camp, it became our home.
I was quite nervous about the teaching as I have never really done anything like it. However, the previous camp mates and the staff working at the school showed us around and took us through ideas and how to run the class. This meant I had a smooth and enjoyable ride with them. I ended up getting to know a lot of the children and they were so very thankful that we were there to help them. The children were so friendly and always had smiles on their faces. They even came to play volleyball with us many times. We played games with the children but also taught them basic English in a fun and interactive way.
I can honestly say, I did not want to leave!! I will definitely go back at some point as I have had the best time of my life. I have met so many life long friends who I still meet up with even though I am back home. Every night at camp we would get to do something different, my personal favourite was karaoke. There was about 50 of us in camp and that meant there was always someone around and someone to talk to. I just loved the simplicity of sitting down and eating my meals with everyone all at one table.
I’d go back in a heartbeat to do it all over again. My one piece of advice for anyone thinking about volunteering is, do it, you really wont regret it!
