Plan My Gap Year (PMGY)

Fantastic experience: Amazing experience with PMGY! My experience with Plan My Gap Year in Cape Town was fantastic. Cape Town is an amazing city with so much to do, and the volunteering project was such an incredible experience. Everyone in the volunteer house was so lovely and the facilities were good. I would definitely recommend the 3-day Garden Route trip, it was a big highlight of the trip.

Fantastic experience: I recently signed up with two friends to volunteer in the day-care sector of PMGY Tanzania. The experience start to finish was amazing. Upon arrival at the airport the pick-up service removed the stress of when you first arrive in a new place. The volunteer house was simple but had a nice family feel. The coordinators did an excellent job at looking after you and making sure you settled in okay, I would definitely say you don't need to worry about feeling lost if you're going solo! The volunteering was rewarding and everyone I interacted with in Arusha was very kind and helpful. I felt safe walking to and from placement every day. The volunteering itself consisted of working in a day care which had around one hundred children aged from one to six. Each day care and school was different but the one I was placed in had very little resources so I would advise thinking of some activities or bringing some tools that you can use to teach and entertain the children. I bought my speaker to day care everyday and the children loved it! The volunteering itself was my favourite part of the trip and I think its a great experience to do. There are so many activities you can do after placement and on the weekends. I stayed for three weeks and went on a safari one weekend and to Zanzibar the next! PMGY organise the safari so all you have to do is pay and they can also help to organise any other trips you may want to do. All in all I would recommend to anyone.

Fantastic experience: PMGY have been absolutely fantastic at making my first time travelling beyond safe and enjoyable. As a 17 year old, fresh out of high school, PMGY were the ideal company to go through as the support leading up to arriving in India for the medical project, as well as constantly throughout. The house in Faridabad is absolutely incredible and has the loveliest homely feel to it. Vishy takes care of you ridiculously well and him and the team never leave you feeling like you need anything - there is so much support and you are looked after so well! The medical project involved leaving the house with a local doctor and travelling to the location of that days project. This may include hospitals, old-age homes, nursing homes, slums or housing complexes. The work you would participate in on project included basic health checks (blood pressure, blood sugar, weigh-in etc.) and a brief consultation with patients to find out what problems they are having. You would complete this as part of the team, along with the oversight of the doctor, who would also decide what medications the patient needed and could be given at the time. You generally spent 3-4 hours on the project - usually seeing around 20-30 patients - before returning to the house for lunch, all of which is prepared for you by local ladies in the house. I spent 4 weeks in India, which I felt was the perfect amount of time to become acquainted with the local area, the team and go on a number of weekend trips (all of which Vishy will organise for you!) I cannot recommend PMGY enough!

Fantastic experience: I had the best time on my trip, and was very quickly immersed in a completely new culture and trying things I never thought I would. There was 24/7 access to support within the volunteer house which provided much comfort of safety. There are so many volunteers and so it is very easy to meet your sort of people very quickly. My friends and I had the best time and would do it all over again. The weekend trips are very well planned. They provide you with a packed weekend filled with must-see activities. It was also another chance to meet more of the pmgy volunteers and socialise. I recommend doing the weekend trips that have plan my gap year staff attending, and aren’t with a private company. Due to the fact that this means you don’t have the support for that weekend. For example, the Maldives weekend is run by a private company and so no plan my gap year staff attend and you need to be extra careful. Meeting lots of friends from across the world and seeing a whole new culture and side to life was a highlight. One thing that I think could be improved, is that the volunteer programmes only run for a couple of hours each day and so I believe more of a difference could be made if this was lengthened. There was a good private tuktuk service provided by plan my gap year which meant it was very easy to get around safely.

Fantastic experience: I absolutely loved everything about volunteering with pmgy!! I did childcare volunteering for 5 weeks! I extended my time as I was living it so much! It’s like a big family, they help you with everything and truly care! the rooms are comfortable and the food is really nice although a bit repetitive. We extended our visas and the process was easy with pmgy. The volunteering was so much fun and the kids are the best, so eager to learn making it feel so rewarding. Thank you for the best time plan my gap year Bali!!❤️

Fantastic experience: Amazing experience! The staff at PMGY were so helpful and organised so much for us. Everyday there was something going on, whether that be a culture night with traditional dancing, henna and sari night or an opportunity to try Tuktuk driving lessons, there was something for everyone! The volunteering was very well structured, a great opportunity to help the local community and make an impact. I spent the first two weeks of my trip taking part in the childcare project, where I played with the children as well as taught them some basic English, such as colours and the alphabet. The final two weeks I spent on the dog project – I really enjoyed looking after the puppies, daily tasks included walking and bathing the dogs as well as giving them medicine. One day we even had the chance to take the dogs to the beach and help them swim, this was so much fun! Overall, I really enjoyed the mornings volunteering and found the experience very rewarding! As well as the volunteering during the week, the weekends were also very enjoyable. I took part in two of the PMGY weekend trips – the Maldives chill out weekend and the Cultural Triangle Trip. Maldives was so beautiful and a great chance to take part in activities such as paddle boarding and snorkelling as well as relax in between the busy weekdays. The Cultural Triangle Trip was also amazing, and I think the day where we went on the elephant safari was my favourite day of the 4 weeks! Overall, I had the best month volunteering with Plan My Gap Year and highly recommend visiting Sri Lanka!

Fantastic experience: I Volunteered with PMGY Sri Lanka for a month. I chose to do the English teaching project. It was probably one of the craziest 4 weeks of my life, but I loved every single moment of it. I taught on an afternoon at a temple. There were about 10 children, ranging from the ages of 4-17. (though the attendance did range depending on the weather) The lessons were a combination of both teaching and many many games. Break time was one of my favourite times, the utter joy a simple game a duck duck goose brought the children was infectious. I also chose to teach English to monks one of my weeks in the morning. Which was an unforgettable experience in itself. One of my favourite parts of teaching was the things the children taught me. If you are even considering volunteering at all with Plan My Gap Year, DO IT. You will not regret it. This experience was one of my first times travelling and I was a little nervous but it's a lovely environment, you settle in very quickly and all the coordinators are so supportive, kind and funny. It was probably one of the craziest 4 weeks of my life, but I loved every single moment of it. If you are thinking about doing English teaching do not worry about experience and do not worry if English is not your first language. As long as you can speak it confidently enough to teach others. There are also masses of support available both from Plan My Gap Year coordinators and a Sri Lankan teacher (who teaches English) if you require it. When I started teaching I was given a curriculum to follow, then I pretty much designed the lessons myself. Choosing how to teach each topic. Everyday it was a joy to teach. All the games brought the children so much joy and their laughter and cheekiness was infectious. On weekends you could go on organised trips, which were incredibly fun and a brilliant time to explore more or the beautiful country. The weekend trips were some of my favourite memories. There were also organised evening activities, games, henna, performances and more. There was not a moment when something interesting and fun was not happening.

Fantastic experience: I went to Sri Lanka on the real experience, it was amazing! Recommend for anyone thinking about it. The staff were all really nice and made the experience, shout out to Ishan!!! Everyday was something new, I got to travel around Sri Lanka and meet great people. The real experience was great we were so busy for the first two weeks visiting temples, going on safaris, boat trips and seeing Sri Lankas incredible landmarks. My favourite day was climbing up Sigiriya Rock, the views were incredible, and the tour was really interesting. The real experience was well organised, and I felt safe the entire time. The food we ate on the first two weeks of travelling was mostly a buffet. There were loads of options and Sri Lankan food is very tasty. Then I volunteered on the turtle sanctuary for my final two weeks which was so much fun. We got to feed, release the turtles to the sea, clean their tanks and give them medicine. The volunteer house was fun to be at with plenty of activities each evening and also the option to travel to Hikkaduwa where there were lots of things to do and places to go. I recommend going to citrus for karoke!!! They also had options to do canoeing, boat trips and a waterfall day trip. The staff were also great with helping us plan weekend trips. PMGY was such a great experience, and I can’t wait to sign up for my next trip! Thanks for all the hard work the staff put in to make my experience so amazing!!!

Positive experience: I, along with my two friends, traveled to Tanzania and participated in the childcare program for 4 weeks in October 2023. The booking process was very seamless, and the hefty handbook provided gave us all the information we needed to know, except for the many things that must be learned on-site. PMGY arranged an airport pick-up, which we were very grateful for after our long journey from Perth, Australia. It is about a 1.5-hour drive from Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha. We were honestly surprised by the living conditions upon arrival. I believe October is a very popular time, so the house was full to capacity, and we felt a bit piled on top of each other. We were placed in a small room with 4 bunk beds on the top floor. There was very little room to put our stuff, and we shared a bathroom with the adjoining room (18 people sharing one bathroom). There are often power outages in Tanzania, but we were lucky to have a generator at the house, which is usually switched on shortly after power cuts. However, when the generator is on, there is no hot water, so showers were often cold. Eventually, we were able to move to a smaller room with its own bathroom, which is always a possibility. Keep in mind that the ‘free WiFi’ advertised on the website does not exist. However, you will be provided with a SIM card for a very reasonable price, and this can be topped up whenever needed. For us, this wasn’t available until the day after we arrived, so ensure your family is aware you may not be able to contact them right away. The coordinators were beyond helpful with everything we needed. There was always someone around to assist us or answer our questions. There is also a WhatsApp group chat with everyone in the house and the coordinators, making it easy to communicate and ask for the generator to be turned on or order a tuk-tuk, etc. We had an orientation day during which we visited some major sights, had a local lunch, and, of course, withdrew Tanzanian shillings from the ATM. My regular debit card worked just fine at the ATM. I spent about 150,000 TZS each week ($60 USD) plus extra for safari, weekend trips, and souvenirs. The volunteering experience was obviously the highlight of the trip. We were able to do some fundraising months prior to arriving, which was amazing, as we were able to provide a school with painted walls, desks, windows, school supplies, and much more. I would definitely recommend setting up a fundraising page, as a little goes a very, very long way for these schools. You can switch schools at any time with good reason. Also, you can switch to the medical program from childcare/teaching for $150 USD and switch to childcare/teaching from medical for free. I recommend packing modest clothing. As a tourist in Africa, you already draw a lot of attention to yourself, and it’s very important to respect the culture and protect yourself. You can have your clothes washed by the mamas for a very cheap price; however, we did our own washing by hand to avoid our clothes getting mixed up. Bring extra towels and lots of comfy clothes, as you will appreciate these luxuries. The food is a set menu of basic meals that repeats each week. Some meals are better than others, but all are tolerable. You can order food deliveries anytime you don’t think you can stomach rice and beans again. If you are a vegetarian or planning on eating vegetarian, make sure you let PMGY know on your application, as the ratio of vegetarians to vegetarian food was way off, and we often went hungry. Keep in mind that Zanzibar is a short and pretty cheap flight away from Arusha. You can go to Zanzibar during your program as long as you aren’t missing more than 3 days of placement (3-5 days is plenty in Zanzibar). You can also go at the end of your placement and potentially fly home from there to prevent extra hassle. Being able to volunteer in Tanzania was the experience of a lifetime, and PMGY made that possible.

Positive experience: My experience in Ghana is by far the best experience I’ve ever had in my life and I would not have been able to have that without the amazing staff at PMGY. They’re so attentive and are with you the entire experience looking out for you- especially the designated taxi drivers who are incredibly friendly and welcoming! They always make you feel safe and really add to the experience of the trip. However, I would say that the living conditions in the volunteer house require better hygiene and cleanliness. Overall, being able to experience an entirely different culture to what I am familiar with is a once in a life time experience I am forever grateful for thanks to PMGY.

Fantastic experience: I would highly recommend doing volunteer work through a programe like pmgy. I absolutely enjoyed my time in Vietnam as an english teaching volunteer, met the best people and I have wonderful memories to look back on now. Most projects are from Mon-Thursday, so Fridays and the weekends are free and therefore are the perfect opportunity to explore other parts of Vietnam! The local team are always there to help and support the volunteers as well as to encourage everyone to travel and explore the country. I loved it, and I’m glad time off and actual time at the projects were so nicely balanced!

Fantastic experience: I recently spent four weeks in Sri Lanka on the real Sri Lanka experience, for two weeks we travelled around the country seeing and taking part in all the different places and experiences Sri Lanka has to offer. The next two weeks I volunteered on the turtle and English teaching projects. The projects were well organised and interesting and there was still plenty of time to go to the beach or do activities like kayaking or even tuktuk driving lessons, as well as activities the coordinators organised for volunteers to try like cooking classes, beach bonfires and so many more. The coordinators were always available if you had any issues or needed recommendations for the best places to go/see. This was the experience of a lifetime with the most amazing friendships and memories made, I’m already planning my next trip with PMGY.

Fantastic experience: PMGY Sri Lanka is an amazing organisation all the staff go above and beyond to help you and are super accommodating to any requests you might have and always organise fun evenings activities for volunteers. I always felt safe while I was there and there are many things put in place to keep volunteers safe for example the PMGY tuk tuk taxi service. The food is freshly prepared and tasty. The weekend trips and real Sri Lankan experience are a great way to be able to explore the country and the culture.

Fantastic experience: I had a fantastic time on the 12-week South America Encounter with PMGY. Spending 4 weeks in each country (Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru) gave me plenty of time to explore. I volunteered at different projects (childcare, English teaching and wildlife rescue), so was able to experience many new things. I made lots of new friends and together we planned weekend trips such as a weekend in Puerto Viejo (Costa Rica) and a trip to the Galapagos Islands. Travelling with PMGY gave me the gap year experience I was looking for - I was able to meet new people, gain new skills from the projects, learn Spanish, and explore 3 amazing countries with diverse cultures. The PMGY team were on-hand throughout my trip, helping me when I had any doubts and providing information for each country-specific programme. I highly recommend Plan My Gap Year and the South America Encounter!

Fantastic experience: Absolutely amazing experience i would recommend it to anyone. The coordinators in the volunteer house and all the people there make you feel so at home and put you at so much ease doing anything they can to help you out. The projects are really insightful, the childcare programme was amazing, the kids at the school are the best. Also, I definitely recommend the weekend trips, they were such a fun part of the experience, i made so many memories. Overall its a really rewarding experience.

Positive experience: I loved my time in Ghana, i felt like I was able to see the country well with PMGY. The weekend trips are amazing and 100% worth doing. Be aware that you will need to pay the taxi drivers any time you want to go somewhere, which can add up. The workers at the house are all lovely and welcoming!

Positive experience: My daughter had an amazing time. Unfortunately she got sick while there. One of my biggest complaints is the insurance company they use in the event you get sick and have to pay OOP to be "' reimburse they ignore your emails. I think they should find a different company. For this reason I wouldn't give a 5star. I have yet to be reimbursed it's been over 10 months.

Fantastic experience: If you’re considering going to Sri Lanka, definetely do it! I had the best 9 weeks of my life there, and have made so many amazing friends and had so many amazing experiences. I was supposed to stay with PlanMyGapYear in Sri Lanka for six weeks, but ended up extending for three more weeks because I found it so amazing there. And if I hadn’t already made plans after that, I would have extended for even longer. Everyone comes to PMGY with an open mind and is ready to make new friends and experiences. Not to say that the local team in Sri Lanka is amazing. They do everything in their power to make you feel welcome and happy, from several afternoon activities during the week to checking if you’re okay if they sense that something is wrong. The local team practically becomes family while you’re there, and they do so much to let you into their culture and everyday life. The projects in Sri Lanka are very well-organised, and I woke up and really wanted to go to project every day. I can especially recommend the turtle project, but from what I have heard from everyone else who was there during my nine weeks, all of the projects are amazing. PMGY Sri Lanka also has a lot of different projects to offer, so if you’re not loving the project that you originally chose, you can always switch to another volunteering project. I am definitely gonna go back to my second home in Sri Lanka, and I would recommend everyone to go and get an experience of a lifetime with PMGY Sri Lanka.

Fantastic experience: The India trip with PMGY was an unforgettable experience. The people, food, and places we saw were incredible, and I gained valuable experience working in a different healthcare system which will truly serve me well as a physician in the future. It was super convenient being picked up from the aiport for free. Every day during the week we would be given a placement and spend a few hours at a different site working with the patient population alongside the doctor who would help us perform different skills and communicate. Drivers for PMGY made it super convenient getting around the city. On weekends, when we were not working, we had the opportunity to travel to and explore different parts of India. Vishy, the coordinator for the India program, was super nice and helped make planning these trips super easy. The volunteer home was next to a school, and during our free time we also had the opportunity to work with young schoolchildren in an academic setting. Sometimes in the evenings, the kids would be playing in the park next door, and we would set up football matches. Aside from the work, the other volunteers and coordinators in India were amazing and I was able to form lasting relationships with so many people. Aside from the experience I gained from working in India, I think the people I met will be what I miss the most. I will never forget this experience and highly recommend it to anyone looking to travel, explore a new culture, or gain medical experience!

Fantastic experience: Staff were friendly and the experience was absolutely insane. Seeing the big 5 in their natural habitat was an unforgettable experience and the weekends allowed for you to personalise your trip. Accommodation is modest but more than worth the money you are paying. The only slight criticism I would give was the tasks at the Game Reserve were usually the same each week so became slightly repetitive. I would recommend going for 3-4 weeks.

Fantastic experience: This is an amazing once in a lifetime experience! I only signed up for 2 weeks since I was unsure of what to expect and ended up trying to extend my trip. Unfortunately my boss at home didn’t let me stay any longer but I have plans to come back in the future. The whole PMGY India team makes you feel at home and is very helpful with any needs you may have. I did medical volunteering and was able to take vital signs, dress basic wounds, distribute medications, and give injections all under the supervision of a physician. In my two weeks I was able to view surgeries at the local hospital, work in a rehabilitation/ physical therapy clinic, ultrasound clinic, a laboratory, elderly facilities, and the slums. There is a school right next to the volunteer house which allows you to play with the children and help teach them English during your free time. I highly recommend this experience to everyone. You must be openminded to new/ different cultures to get the most out of your experience!

Fantastic experience: PMGY Sri Lanka was such an amazing experience! The local team is amazing, they help you with literally everything and they do it with patience and care, they want you to have the absolute best experience possible! The programs are so great and rewarding as well! I did the childcare program and loved it, the kids are so sweet, you make a big difference and it’s so clear when you see the kids, that you simply won’t want to leave once it’s time. You can also switch between different programs or combine multiple programs in one day. The country itself is also amazing and beautiful! During my time in Sri Lanka (six weeks) I was able to see so much of the country. In the afternoons there was more than enough time to explore close by, the local team is more than willing to help you set this up. We had daily activities at the house, such as street food tours, badminton nights, karaoke, organized by the local team. I did all the weekend trips and I highly recommend them; you’ll get to experience the culture and see the beautiful nature. On the weekends without a PMGY organized weekend trip, you can still go away for the weekend together with other volunteers and, for example, go surfing in Weligama (if you have the time, you should definitely do this)! There is so much freedom to do whatever you want, I felt safe and cared for the entire time I was there! I would 100% do it again, so if you’re in doubt, go for it! You’ll meet so many wonderful people, you’ll make the best of friends, the volunteering is amazing and rewarding and the country is so beautiful! you don’t want to miss out on this amazing experience!

Positive experience: Hi, I’m 26 years old (turned 26 when I was doing the volunteer work) and I did 4 weeks of volunteer in the childcare program in Bali. It was my first time traveling out of Europe on my own and for that long. I had an awesome time during these 4 weeks. The staff at PMGY Bali was so amazing and they were all so kind. They made our stay in Tabanan really enjoyable as they organized some evening activities as bonfire, culture nights or quiz-games etc. Working in the childcare program was truly amazing and wonderful! The children (as well as the teachers and daycarers) were so so nice. The children were always so great full for everything you did and thought them. They give you so much love and are so happy to get the chance that you teach them. You would never see kids acting like that in schools in Europe. Also the fact that you only work from Monday to Thursday and that you have the weekend free to travel is so nice as you can organize your trips to see the beauty of the island! So taken together my time here was really wonderful and an amazing experience! Not everything was always so great obviously. Living with so many people and so many different personalities under one roof can sometimes be a bit difficult but that’s part of the game! So to conclude, I can only suggest and recommend everyone to do such an amazing experience as it is really worth it! I would immediately do it again if I could! Thank you so much to the PMGY team and the PMGY team in Bali for everything! I will not forget this!! Jil

Fantastic experience: If you're considering volunteering with PMGY Sri Lanka – do it. The time I spent there from October 15 to December 17 were the best months of my life. The volunteer work was super rewarding, I made so many incredible friendships, and the opportunities to travel and explore the country meant there was never a dull moment. I volunteered with the dog rescue project (@bringthemhome_srilanka) for my entire time there, and it never got old. Besides falling in love with the dogs at the shelter, it was beyond incredible to get to be a part of the early stages of this project. Ashika is super open to working with the volunteers, and I always felt super heard when I came to him with concerns or ideas for the project. I also did three weeks at the girls home in the afternoons. I so wish I had more time with these girls – they're some of the coolest, funniest, and smartest kids you'll ever meet. I highly recommend spending some time volunteering with the afternoon childcare project. I did both PMGY-organised weekend trips (cultural triangle / Kandy weekend, hill country / Ella weekend) and highly recommend doing both if you're able. And I'll never forget my weekends in Weligama, love Hangtime Hostel with my whole heart. The local team was super helpful and accommodating – we had weekly house meetings where they would check to make sure everything with the food and house was okay, if projects were going smoothly, if anyone wanted to change projects, what evening activities we wanted help organizing, etc. In between that, if we had any questions or needed help with anything the local team was super accessible and helpful. Ashika and his team go above and beyond to make sure volunteers are safe, comfortable, and having a good time. He approved multiple extended curfew requests, helped us to find and organize all kinds of reliable third-party activities and day trips, and just generally always had all of our backs. One time, I called him in a bit of a panic from a weekend trip I was on with some friends in Ella – one of my friends got pretty sick and I was freaking out and didn't know what to do. Ashika talked me through it, told me what the nearest hospital was and helped me come up with a plan, allowed me to return a day late, and even helped me figure out the bus schedule since I would have to travel back on my own the next day. Originally, I'd signed up for 6 weeks and was super nervous that it was going to be too long, but the first 4 weeks flew by and I didn't want to leave at all. Even at the end of my extended time, it felt too short – I will definitely be back :))

Fantastic experience: Highly recommend the PMGY program in Sri Lanka. I spent 4 weeks there and had the most amazing time. From start to finish I can’t fault anything, it was so well organised and their communication throughout was great. The volunteer programs that we were involved in were really well set up and I made so many special memories with the children that I worked with in Sri Lanka that will stay with me for life. Ashika and his team in Sri Lanka were incredible and made every effort to ensure that we had the opportunity to see the country in our spare time. The volunteer house felt like home away from home and had a really positive atmosphere. If you are thinking about going to Sri Lanka but are skeptical given the current crisis definitely go, the only regret I have is not staying longer.

Fantastic experience: 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.

Fantastic experience: The past few days have been one of the best times I've ever had! I just wanna say thank you to all the people who have generously helped me in my time of need. The first night I couldn't sleep so I climbed on the roof to see the sunrise and I saw people getting up early to start their day. Once when we passed a house I saw an old lady put an offering in front of the gate and reverently sprinkled a few drops of water. These moments really made me feel the passion and love for life of the people here. And I still remember the joy when I first held Sunny in my arms and the feeling of a baby goat with its little head on my hand. And again hank you for being my home during the past few days. See you again!

Fantastic experience: 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.

Fantastic experience: The people I met in India made the overall experience. The other volunteers, the patients we treated, and the pmgy staff at the house in Faridabad will always remain close to my heart. The day trips and weekend trips I experienced were incredible and the medical project was such an eye opener. I really enjoyed watching surgeries and having a hands-on experience giving medical care. Many patients I treated cannot afford or access medical care and to say I have helped the lives of many of these individuals makes me very proud. Vishy and the other staff at the pmgy house were extremely welcoming and made me settle in very quickly. When you are volunteering, although we have a hands-on experience, we are always under the watchful eye of one of the two doctors that take us to the medical projects. They made me feel more confident at taking blood pressure and doing blood grouping, and they were always there if we needed any help. When I arrived at the house in India, I very much felt like I was entering a community. From the volunteers and all the staff working at the house, to the children and other people from the slums, I was made to feel at home. I have made memories that will last a lifetime and some life-long friends. From my short time in India, I have decided I will go to many other pmgy locations as it is a great way to travel and meet new people.

Fantastic experience: I thoroughly enjoyed volunteering in Bali I would definetly recommend the Gili T island weekend trip and the English teaching program the kids that you teach are amazing and range from 6-12 years old, I enjoyed teaching the younger kids the most! You may also get the opportunity to attend a lunch hosted by the students at kanva college which I would recommend attending. The hostel in Bali is great aswell it has everything you need and Indra and ketut and all the staff and driver are always very helpful!

Fantastic experience: I had a fantastic time, the staff were kind and accommodating and the fellow volunteers I met on the programme were so friendly. I completed the hospital programme in Arusha, it was highly enriching and eye-opening. I was able to immerse myself in a completely new country and culture and meet so many new people. On the weekends we had the opportunity to go on day trips, safaris or to Zanzibar, and those trips I'd also recommend as the landscape is stunning and there are endless things to see and do.

Positive experience: Honestly an incredible experience and there isn't a better travel agent to book it with! They guide you through the while process ensuring your confident in travel and safety. They carry out online webinars to answer questions and give you detailed information of your trip. They pay close concern to safety as they will only offer experiences where they are satisfied with the safety put in place. I will definitely be volunteering through them again.

Fantastic experience: 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.

Fantastic experience: Sophie Thompson - Sri Lanka, Teaching Project I recently returned from a 4 week trip to Sri Lanka, and I can easily say it was the most amazing thing I’ve ever done. As a young, female solo traveller I felt completely safe and taken care of by Ash and the Team which I can’t thank them enough for. I signed up for 4 weeks of teaching English, but Ash was flexible in my last week to let me do the childcare project which I was very grateful for. Every evening after project there were activities such as badminton, beach volleyball, karaoke, cocktails and various culturally enriching options which made my time in Sri Lanka so special as it gave us time to bond and have fun. London House as accommodation is basic but clean and has everything you need. The only helpful suggestion I would say to new volunteers is come with an open mind and realistic expectations. As for the team in Sri Lanka, I had a wonderful time and would like to point out that Ash and the team are incredibly helpful and always available if problems arise - which isn’t often but nonetheless. Thank you PMGY for the wonderful memories, I’ll never forge

Fantastic experience: 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

Fantastic experience: An amazing experience that allows you to find out about other countries cultures and lets you discover more about yourself. The people are amazing and extremely welcoming. PMGY cater to all the needs of participants. Whichever project you are going into you will gain full in depth knowledge in that area that provide you with a different view of the world. The experience provides you with a whole new look on the world allows you too develop yourself while helping other people. I highly recommend and the support that you get from plan my gap year is amazing from the minute you go onto to the website to the point when your booking your trip and all the way to the end when your coming back.

Fantastic experience: 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! :)

Fantastic experience: 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.

Fantastic experience: Trustworthy, helpful and well-organized company. I completed the 3 week medical volunteering program in India. Over the 3 weeks I learned so much from clinical skills to Indian culture. You truly get a first hand experience of India’s healthcare system while simultaneously being immersed in their amazing culture. I always felt safe and well looked after by the pmgy team during my trip, despite being thousands of miles away from home they made me feel very welcome and at home in india. I would recommend at least 3 weeks to thoroughly get a good experience and explore the country a bit.

Fantastic experience: An amazing time with PMGY Sri Lanka. This countries programme was very well run and organised and couldn't have felt safer during the struggles and conflict that was going on when I was there (July 2022). So many different weekend trips available to enable you to explore the whole country. The team they have there made going out in your free time so easy and gave so many examples and personal recommendations of things to do. Once you have decided what you would like to do, they also helped with planning it if you needed help. Getting around was so easy with the tuktuks they had on hand and all of the drivers were so friendly (and love Coco Jambo – search it on Spotify ;) ). Every day after volunteering we would be greeted by all the puppies from the puppy rescue project which was the best. One of the best parts was the people I met when I was over there. I honestly become so close with everyone after living with them for 3 weeks and it really was sad when we all had to leave each other. However, I now have friends from Perth, Madrid, Berlin, England, America and so many more. I went out here with my girlfriend so if any couples are planning on doing this, I would say go for it but make sure you don’t close yourself off to meeting new people because you have each other! This is what me and my girlfriend made sure we would not do when we were out there and have made so many more friends than we have expected. Overall, such an unforgettable and amazing experience and I will definitely be traveling with PMGY again! Ps. Stay in the Spice House in Mirissa for a weekend get-away. The best couple of days! Rhys 21 years old Wales Turtle Conservation – 3 weeks

Fantastic experience: Best experience of my life. I spent a month in Ghana with PMGY and it was honestly the best time I've ever had. The pre-departure support was amazing and so comforting. It was my first trip where I had to obtain a visa and the process was a little frustrating but the support I got was incredible and the time of response to all of my questions was always incredibly fast. From the moment I arrived in Ghana, I never felt unsafe, which was something I wasn't expecting, but the drivers were always there to accompany you and help you in whatever way you needed them to in the afternoon activities(from the shops at the market to supermarket shops to the pool) and most of the people are extremely kind and welcoming. I did the childcare program and it exceeded my expectations. I wasn't expecting the placement to be so organized and I was also having doubts that my help wouldn't be something much, but it turned out that the volunteers contribute so much and have a huge impact on the babies' everyday lives, which was the most fulfilling part of the day. The accommodation is basic but you don't need anything else. There is so much space for everyone and you can always find a spot to spend some time by yourself if you need to. Also a big living room, dining area, and yard where you spend your time with the other volunteers, bonding, playing games, talking, etc. The weekend trips were something I enjoyed very much. The car rides were long but they were always fun and part of the amazing experience that the trips were. Lastly, I went as a solo traveler/volunteer but I met some of the most amazing people, made friends for life, and made some of the most amazing memories. Hope my review helps you decide on this amazing opportunity PMGY offers. Thank you PMGY. Thank you Ghana and thank you Seth for everything.

Fantastic experience: I had the most amazing experience doing turtle conservation in Sri Lanka. I met so many amazing people from all over the world and I will never forget it. It was all so well organised and I always felt safe which made a big difference especially when travelling for the first time. As someone who was nervous to travel so far from home, I instantly felt at ease as soon as arrived. Its surprising how quickly you settle in and it becomes your new home. I stayed 3 weeks and I wish I could have stayed 4. Most people say 2 weeks is not enough so bare that in mind when booking! I found it was the perfect balance of volunteering and free time meaning I felt like I was making a difference but I also got to see so much of Sri Lanka. The weekend trips are definitely worth going on, you get to see so much in such a short space of time and you don’t have to plan a thing! P.s stay as the Spice House in Mirissa it’s if you travel on weekends… its heaven <3. I Loved the culture, the food, the people and everything about it. Everyone is so kind and big shout out to Ash who keeps everything running smoothly at London House no matter what <3 My overall experience with Plan My Gap Year was amazing as well. Any questions I had, they responded straight away and any issues got resolved immediately. They provided support and reassurance throughout and I plan to do more experiences with them in other countries in the future. I cannot recommend enough to anyone who is thinking about doing it!

Fantastic experience: Childcare - July 2022 All I can do is recommand Plan My Gap Year as a first (or not) experience in voluntering. Im only 18 and it was my first time out of Europe so I was kind of scared of how things would go, but all of the coordinators (Angel, Halima, James, Elias and Huruma) are there for you whenever you need them, they make sure you feel confortable everyday and treat you like they’ve known you for a long time! For example, you could feel a bit homesick on arrival which is completely normal, but all the coordinators will do anything that’s in their power to help you feel better. When going to town, some of the local people will try to get more money from as they can see you are a tourist and don’t know the price of the local stuffs, but again the coordinators will be behind you and will explain to you as soon as you arrive what price you should pay for everything, they are also ready to « fight » any person that would still try to get more money away from their little baby volunteers ! The accomodation was simply amazing, everything you need and most of all : always super clean !! The mamas take care of the food, but also of the cleanliness of the house. They change the sheets of all the beds every couple of days. I wouldn’t change my placement even if I could, that school was really one of the kind that needs volunteers to « function » I feel grateful for this experience and I will come back as soon as possible

Fantastic experience: PMGY India Medical I initially chose PMGY because it was cheaper than other volunteering organisations. I found that they had good pre-departure support compared to other similar organisations, offering Zoom meetings and responding to emails in a timely manner. The volunteer handbook was also good and comprehensive. There were pre-departure support webinars which didn't really add much to our knowledge as they had to cover many different countries and projects in the 1 hour. They did provide chance to ask any questions, although it would be easier to just ask via email. Arriving in India was a culture shock. I'd recommend adding the local coordinator (Vishy) on WhatsApp so you can communicate with someone you can trust in case anything goes wrong (ie flight delay etc). Normally there is a guy at the airport ready to collect you and drop you straight to the accomadation. Accomodation itself is good and basic. Nothing too fancy but it is quite homely. I had a small issue with bedbugs the first few nights but they changed the mattress immediately and everything was fine from then on. If you have any issues or problems, just ask the people there and they'll fix it. The food and drinking water there was fine and safe, no issues. I did medical. I travelled to several slum clinics and provided basic medical care. There were also surgeries to observe in hospitals and clinics of different specialties to go to. A lot of things are organised the morning of so don't expect a neat weekly schedule; If there's a placement you want to attend, do ask Vishy. There are chances to practise IM / IV injections, although these aren't everyday and depend on your skill / confidence etc. Everyone (even non-medical students) will get a good chance to take blood pressure and glucose. Personally, I thought the slum clinics were the most beneficial placements. You really felt like you were doing stuff and not just watching. I would have loved for there to be more clinics to attend, especially in the evenings. Weekend trips are good and there are more options than just the 2 in the handbook. Also, there are lots of chances to do touristy stuff in the evenings after placement, so if there's a place you'd like to visit, then maybe research and plan it beforehand.

Fantastic experience: I had an amazing 4 weeks volunteering on the wildlife program with PMGY in Bali. The program is well structured, leaving loads of free time that you can use to explore Bali both during the evenings and (most effectively) at weekends, when you are free to travel further away. The only small note would be that there is sometimes a slight lack of things to do on the program, but I'm sure this will be easily fixed with a few tweaks. The support is all around exceptional both before and during your program, with any questions you might have prior to going answered quickly and clearly. The in-country team are kind, friendly and all-around incredible, especially as I had an injury requiring some medical attention and Indra, Milly and Ketut were amazing in making sure I understood and had everything I needed. In all, I couldn't recommend the program enough - the team and house are perfect, the country is beautiful and you will make some great friends x

Fantastic experience: One of the best experience of my life! Great team that always take care of us and made us never get bored and watch as much as possible! I Will repeat for sure! I'm a medical student 4rth year thats why I joined the med project in India I stayed for 4 weeks and we went to see every day a new different placements in where we gave medicine, took blood pressure and sugar rate to everyone that went there, also we get to see surgeries. In the afternoon the staff usually organiced something to do and during the weekends we did lots of trips around india!

Fantastic experience: Bali childcare I did childcare in Bali for 3 weeks and I have to admit these were the most life changing weeks in my life so far. Before I even came I was anxious about the pick up, because I was arriving late in night, so I assumed nobody's going to be there, because you know it's outside their working hours. But I was wrong, staff 10000% will pick you up, no doubt. Also, they will help you to settle in, move your stuff in the house and make sure you are having a good time. In my opinion, accommodation was better than I expected. Really nice rooms, I d want to say even luxurious + they have a pool + you can also sunbath. The food was amazing. You will get to experience 10/10 Indonesian food. For breakfast we had variety of fruits (e.g. Dragonfruit(which personally I am big fan of), watermelon, papaya, pineapple and others). Fulfilling lunch and dinner. Therefore, the house is near from famous Bali night markets(like 7min walk), where you can get everything very cheap and have a good time and maybe bound with your fellow Co-volunteers. I was suprised by the working hours. Childcare was from around 8am till like 11:30am and then lunch break + rest time and then second period from like 2pm till 04:30pm, which, in my opinion, are great working hours and you don't get worn out. Which makes me think that PMGY cares about your well-being. Big shout-out for that! Therefore, you have free time from Thursday evening till Sunday evening, where you can explore Bali!!! How amazing is that?! In fact, if you consider to childcare in Bali, I can promise you it's gonna be one of the most rewarding experiences! Indonesian children are the sweetest and kindest children you will ever meet. I loved spending time with them, playing, being silly, teaching simple English throughout games etc. Staff is great there, they will help you out no matter what! If you consider to do Bali childcare DO IT! I promise you won't regret!P.S. 3 weeks for me flew away so quick, I wish I was there for longer❤️

Fantastic experience: I truly had the best time in India. The pre-departure support which PMGY offers is amazing and I felt very prepared for my trip! When I booked my trip I got added to a Facebook group to chat with my fellow volunteers which really gave me peace at heart. This was my first solo trip but the volunteer handbook helped so much for my preparation. In India Vishy and the other staff members are always there to organise everything and help you with your money exchange, sim-card etc. I did the English teaching project which was so rewarding. The kids are so sweet and it was an amazing experience to teach them and they taught me so much as well. Teaching was definitely my favorite part of the day, however even the afternoons were filled with activities to discover India and its culture. For any potential volunteers I would say just do it! Go and see what happens. It will be craziest adventure but so so worth it!

Fantastic experience: I did the volunteer project at the Kwantu Game Reserve and my experience with PMGY was great!! They took time to answer every question I had for pre-departure and for my stay, and explained everything for my arrival so I felt secure. Also, the fact that they organize zoom calls and also they send us this very well detailed volunteer handbook was really helpful, everything we need to know was in it. To talk about the project, every word would not be enough to describe how incredible this experience was. It was sooo much better that I expected it to be, and I expected it to be amazing! The local team was so nice, the project and activities/work we did was really interesting, it was so uplifting to think that we did contribute to the improvement of these animals life and environment! And to come back to PMGY, if you are thinking about doing a volunteer project, I would 100% recommand booking with this organization.

Fantastic experience: 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!

Fantastic experience: I just came back from the PMGY Bali English teaching trip. I had the most amazing time ever, I wouldn’t take it back for anything in the world. I went with one of my best friends, but I believe this trip would have been great to go solo, as most people I met on the trip did! Getting there was really smooth and the driver was waiting for us once we arrived at the airport. Once we got to the volunteer house Indra and Nadia greeted us and showed us around the whole house. We quickly felt at peace in our new “home”. Orientation went really smooth and we were able to get volunteering in no time. At the time I was there was about 50 other volunteers so it was amazing to meet so many people from all over the world. Everyone quickly became friends and we’d use our spare time to hang out. The weekends were especially fun to explore Bali with new friends, I’d recommend going to Nusa Penida island just because it’s so beautiful. This experience was 10/10 and I’d recommend PMGY to anyone:)))

Fantastic experience: The experience during my time volunteering with PMGY was simply perfect. The experiences I gained, from the program exceeded my expectations. Even though I could only go for one week with a friend of mine the local guide managed to show us everything we needed and although a couple more weeks would have been great when I left I felt full of experiences and memories. On top of the great activities I perticioated in, the people I met were amazing. The locals that guided me throughout the activities were as helpful and friendly as they could and they provided a personal experience during the entirety of my trip. The other volunteers I met the days the program lasted are very social and we started talking and sharing stories almost immediately. It was unfortunate that I had only one week time though and I didn't manage to bond with the rest of the volunteers as much as I would like. All the things I did during my stay though was perfect. I went in safaris where I observed and took photos of the wild animals mostly in the morning and one time in the afternoon when the animals that hunt in the night were out. Another lifetime experience was our visit in a village nearby where we gave food to a school and played with the children. In that particular village there had not been volunteers in two years so the excitement and happiness we provided to the children was truly a once in a lifetime experience and made me appreciate some things I took for granted.

Fantastic experience: INDIA I decided to join medical volunteer programme in India for almost 3 weeks. It was my first time in Asia and I had so many worries before leaving. My experience was beautiful, much more than I would have imagined. Vishy and Simar welcomed us like family, accompanied us to every destination, and always made sure everything was ok. They took care of each of us and even made special requests. During the day there are many activities where you can decide where to go and if you need something they are always available to accompany you everywhere. We visited a lot over the weekend and also had the opportunity to go to an Indian wedding. It was magical. I felt at home despite the different culture. Nilesh cooked for us together with others and always made sure we had eaten by always offering us snacks. It was a fantastic experience that taught me a lot. The children, the medical work, and the whole team from India were fantastic. Thank you all for making me feel at home, safe and giving me the best experience of my life. I hope to go back there and meet them again. I would recommend India 100000% to anyone that is thinking to do this magic experience.

Fantastic experience: 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.

Fantastic experience: I spent 8 weeks in Sri Lanka and it was an incredible experience! It’s hard to say anything negative about the pre-departure support. Whatever I had in mind I got an answer, sometimes even in few minutes! In country Ash and the rest of the local team were always happy to help when needed and with their help we got to experience so much more than what a ”normal” tourist would experience! I did the childcare project at girls home and everyday I left the project with a smile on my face. When we taught them English, they taught us to dance in return! I highly recommend PMGY Sri Lanka, my advice is to book flexible flights because you might want to extend your trip!

Fantastic experience: I went to Peru last autumn and volunteered in the Wildlife Sanctuary. It was an amazing experience and I met loads of lovely people there. The actual sanctuary was so welcoming and the included us in their work, we could interact with the animals and show the visiting groups of tourists around. It was also so nice to have a volunteer meeting place to hang out at with everyone and the host family was lovely too. I wish I had stayed for longer! Cusco is such a nice city, safe, lots of fun and good night life. I loved it!

Fantastic experience: I went to Ghana on the PMGY programme and I can honestly say it's the best decision I've taken in years! Before I had finished planning my trip, I got a lot of support by Philip, who is always available for a quick reply to any question you may have and even for Zoom calls to discuss your plans, and the volunteer handbook which had all the important information in there as well and also provided a detailed description of what to expect when there. At the airport, Kelvin was already waiting for me with a PMGY sign and when I didn't see him at first, the local people were very helpful as well. After a day we travelled to our accommodation which is a lovely house shared with all the volunteers who were there. Being around each other so much really made us bond with each other and you'll make a lot of close friends there. Also the local staff are wonderful and always there to help out, you'll get very close to them as well. If we ever had any questions we could always reach out to one of them and it'd be answered. Personally I did the medical project for three weeks and teaching for one week. The medical project was mostly observatory, though, there are some actions that you can undertake if you ask for it, especially if the healthcare workers get to know you. Going to the hospital will definitely be an enriching experience for your life. The school as well was VIBES. The kids got endless amounts of love in them and they transfer that energy to all of the teachers! In our free time there was always something to do and in the weekends you can go on trips (the PMGY trips are great!). All in all, had an AMAZING time. If you've got any doubts, I'd just say go for it and ask any questions you have to Philip.

Fantastic experience: I took part in the SOUTH AFRICA WILDLIFE RESERVE VOLUNTEER project. It’s possible to arrange pickup from the airport so you don't have to worry about getting to the volunteer site. The place is very clean and meet western standards. The accommodation on site was beyond my expectations, food was very tasty with a choice of many dishes at each meal. Free water is always available. Activities included things like tree chopping, fence clearing, building fences, giving water to animals, feeding animals, and more relaxing ones like animal counting, game drives. You don’t need to have any special skills to take part in this volunteering. Comfortable work clothes and cloth gloves will be useful. Most of work tools are guaranteed. There is also something like a wild cats hospice, besides the reserve, so if you are worried that you won’t be able to see the cats in the reserve, you have nothing to fear because there will always be some in the hospice. In addition to work, you will also learn about the animals that live in the reserve, you will learn their names and the most interesting information that will be provided to you by the caretakers and volunteers who were there before you. I was in Kwantu in October (the beginning of spring in the southern hemisphere), so the weather was perfect, warm but not too hot, only rained a few times. All the people working there and the volunteers are very friendly and helpful. They often work with volunteers to improve the place. There is a very nice atmosphere. PMGY's pre-departure support was very helpful and quick. The volunteer handbook I received was comprehensive.

Fantastic experience: I travelled to Ghana with PMGY to do the childcare programme. The trip was an unreal experience and you meet so many amazing people! If you’re concerned about travelling out there on your own, you honestly have nothing to worry about as Seth will meet you and the other arrivals at the airport to take you to the accommodation the next day. The people who look after you whilst you’re out there are really accomplished and will help you with anything you need. The weekend trips are generally something that most volunteers take part in and are really worth going to as you get to do so many interesting things. Volunteering at the orphanage can be overwhelming initially but is overall very rewarding and worth while. You should make sure you take wipes with you and sponges as the water does sometimes go out. It’s also worth taking clothes such as hoodies and other comfortable clothing for when you’re chilling in the evenings and maybe something for going out in as most weeks everyone goes out for karaoke night! Also the more donations you can gather before you go, the better! Even if it’s just stationary, it’s really appreciated.

Fantastic experience: My experience in Cusco has been absolutely wonderful. I volunteered in an afterschool program for 3 weeks with other volunteers from all over the world and it's been the best decision I've ever made. I went there with a friend of mine for 3 weeks during the month of October and we both had a great time! We did many different activities with the kids: games, homework, we taught them some basic english and we planned weekly learning activities for the kids. The team was very outgoing and fun, checking in on me regularly to ensure a very smooth process in Cusco. My project was run by a very charismatic guy who cares so much about his program and his community. My home stay was amazing, I've been hosted by a wonderful old lady who made sure I always had everything I needed (and the food was great!). I felt at home for my entire stay. The children were so happy to learn but also taught me so much. I would recommended this experience to anyone. No matter what your age is. If you have just ended school or university or having a career break like me seriously think about volunteering. It's such a unique and incredible experience. It makes you know different realities, cultures, amazing places and wonderful people. Volunteering through Proyecto Peru was an experience that will not be taken for granted, and I thank the team so much for making my time in Cusco memorable!

Fantastic experience: I had an absolutely lovely time with PMGY in Ghana. Everything pre-departure wise was very well planned and one felt comfortable and save at all times once there. The placement programs are incredibly enriching and rewarding. The people at the volunteer house are very welcoming amd take the best care of you. Looking forward to traveling with PMGY again.

Fantastic experience: I have recently spent 6 weeks in Sri Lanka on the Childcare/Teaching project at the SUNFO girl's home. The whole trip was amazing and I cannot thank everyone at PMGY enough for giving me this opportunity at a time when I didn't think it would be possible to travel and volunteer abroad. From the beginning Phillip, at the UK office, was so helpful. He supported me through applying for a visa and answering any questions I had including what PCR tests I would need and when, the quarantine process in Sri Lanka and travel insurance queries. He also kept me informed of any Covid-19 travel updates that may affect my trip to Sri Lanka in the weeks leading up to my departure. In-country, Ashika (the PMGY coordinator) stayed in contact with me throughout my quarantine stay to make sure I was comfortable. The hotel was really nice and right on the beach with a pool and friendly staff. On arrival at London House, Ashika welcomed us into his home and went above and beyond for our entire stay. Everyone there treated us like family and couldn't do enough for us. I am going to really miss the Sri Lankan food that Ashika's mother makes and all of the jokes with Manoj! I was honoured to be part of the first group of volunteers to go to the SUNFO girl's home since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Ashika gave us all the support we needed throughout to enable us to carry out the project safely and adhere to Covid-19 guidelines. The project was extremely rewarding and by the time we left we saw a huge difference in the girls' confidence and ability to speak English. Every afternoon at the project we spent around an hour doing more formal teaching and then played games to include a more fun element too. I was extremely sad and emotional to leave the project as over the 6 weeks we got to know the girls' personalities so well! I would highly recommend this project to anyone looking to really make a tangible difference. Whilst I was in-country there were changes to the Sri Lankan Covid-19 restrictions, which Ashika always kept us up-to-date with. Despite the changes to restrictions Ashika made every effort to make sure we could still go on trips to all parts of the country on our days off, which I am so thankful for! There are no lengths that he will not go to in order to make your experience the best it can be. I feel so grateful for all the PMGY team that helped me to travel to Sri Lanka during the pandemic. I cannot recommend PMGY Sri Lanka enough, it is an experience that I will never forget where I met some amazing people. I will definitely be returning to see even more of this beautiful country. Thank you for everything Ashika and all the PMGY team! ❤️❤️

Fantastic experience: Thank you so much to everyone at PMGY for the best month of my life! I went to Ghana and it was the best, most enriching and memorable month of my life. Everyone was so welcoming and had an answer to every question, especially in the booking process. It is a very straight forward process to join the program and you are provided with all the necessary information to be fully prepared. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone involved with PMGY Ghana, you will always hold a special place in my heart.

Fantastic experience: I just want to first say a massive thank you to everyone at PMGY for making my experience in Ghana so amazing! The team went above and beyond to ensure we were supported through every step of the process. The multiple opportunities PMGY gave me during my 4 weeks allowed me to fully submerge myself in the culture and have learnt so much because of that. I was given the chance to try all the projects and maximise my time and I will treasure my experience for the rest of my life. Thank you PMGY for making it possible!

Fantastic experience: This July I spent a month volunteering through PMGY with CSDS in Vietnam and I can honestly say that it has been the best month of my life. Initially I was supposed to go to Sri Lanka but with the terrorist attacks I thought it was better to change destination and, throughout that whole process, PMGY was very helpful. I ended up going to Vietnam, which was a country that I had always wanted to visit, and I had a fairly good idea of what to expect of it due to the handbook that was given to us before our trip but even so I was still amazed by what it had to offer!! Vietnam is amazing and so complex and, even better than only being a tourist in it, I was able to have a great volunteering experience with CSDS in the Sakuranbo Kindergarten teaching children between the age of eleven months and seven years old. My coordinators were amazing and super helpful in every circumstance. I will be forever grateful for the experience that Huyen, our project coordinator, provided me and my friend Rita and for her availability and kindness towards us in every circumstance. The accommodation was also amazing despite being in one of the secondary houses. For the future volunteers I would advise you to go to these projects with an open mind and determination! I recommend this experience to everyone who wants to get to know a beautiful and rich country while making a difference!

Fantastic experience: This was my first time away with PMGY but it certainly won’t be my last. I had the most amazing time away in Sri Lanka, for three weeks in November 2017 on their Elephant Experience Project. From the beginning, there was nothing to worry about. I was swiftly accepted onto the programme and they were very responsive with any questions which I had. The handbook was full and thorough with great knowledge which meant I had a full understanding of the cultural differences, and what was available to me whilst there. They had a recommended packing list which was useful too. There was a pre-departure webinar which was really interesting and helpful, which eased any worries. A week before I left they sent a very useful email with the contact details of the place we were staying for relatives, and a reminder of the pick-up information. Once out in Sri Lanka, the local team over there run by Ashika were professional and very helpful. The weekend trips which are organised were fabulous and totally worth every penny. They even planned the Maldives weekend trip at short notice for us – they really are a great bunch of people. We were able to help release Turtle hatchlings one evening which was wonderful, and one of the highlights of the trip. This certainly will not be my last experience with them. I’m now looking into the possibility of helping out on projects in Nepal, Bali and/or Fiji in the near future. Who knows which one?! Thanks for an amazing experience which I will never forget.

Fantastic experience: I booked with PMGY to go to Bali in 2018. Booking is a simple process. Josh was very helpful and provided the Volunteer Handbook which is brilliant. It's a book of helpful tips regarding the region you are travelling to, what to expect regarding culture differences, dress codes, meals, details of the project and more. Very thorough guide which helps when you're travelling alone for the first time. Once I arrived in Denpasar airport, I was greeted and taken straight to the volunteer house where I was shown my room. I wasn't told what was going to happen the following day by anyone official, but the other volunteers had the information.However, I do believe this was because I arrived before the PMGY co-ordinators had arrived however, but I met them halfway through my trip. Steph is lovely, really helpful and always works hard to ensure you are happy as much as she can, very positive and dependable. She now works in the PMGY UK office and has still been as great and positive as always. Adriana was really lovely too, bur I believe the co-ordinators in Bali change yearly. Ketut, Indra, Rush and Krishna (the family you will be staying with, at the volunteer house) are so welcoming and so so lovely. Ketut was known to everyone as the Balinese Mum because she was always there to offer some great advice, comforting words and a bright smile. For a lot of the volunteers, this is the first time being away from home, and being in such a different place, so far and in a different time zone with a hugely different culture than the Westernised one, having Ketut there was wonderful. She really makes the personal difference from just being another volunteer to family. The accommodation is really great, lots of common areas to socialise, the rooms are nice and do frequently have warm water (but not constantly). Some rooms are nicer than others, but even the "lower ranked' rooms are cosy and nice. Rush (Ketut's husband) builds the rooms himself and if there are any issues is there to help. The food is really good, but if you don't like rice, I would reconsider! Tabanan is the area in which rice seems to be mass produced and it will essentially be your entire diet. The rice is usually served with some kind of meat, vegetables and sometimes potatoes or pasta, and occasional noodles. I know there were a lot of good options for vegetarians too. I was on the wildlife project, where I worked with various monkeys, crocodiles in a range of sizes, birds such as cockatoos, macaques and horn bills (my favourite) and also a friendly sun bear named Balou. You will be on project Monday-Thursday and will either work from 8-11am or 2-4pm. Sometimes you get the opportunity to go to a turtle or cat sanctuary if there are a lot of volunteers. Typical work would be to cut fruit for the animals, feed them and then clean their cages when they are finished. A lot of the work may be thinking on your feet and using your initiative as there may seem like little work, but there is always something to do. On the weekends (Friday-Sunday) you are free to do as you please. Whilst Bali is a small island there is an ENORMOUS range of things to do, whether you head up north and do some adrenaline filled activities such as waterfall jumping or paragliding in Lovina, or if you want to head down south and go to Asias largest waterpark, WATERBOM, or head to the Gili Islands to the east of Bali. There is a huge amount to do and a wonderful mix between traditional Balinese culture, and the growing tourism market where Westernised culture is being implemented. For anyone coming here, I would say come with no expectations, and you will have an amazing time. You will be blown away by the friendliness of the family, making new friends and the work you contribute to the projects. Don't even think before booking, just book it. With an open mind, you will have the most incredible experience.

Fantastic experience: I volunteered on a turtle conservation farm in Sri Lanka for 3 weeks with Plan My Gap Year and it was the most incredible experience. The staff involved in the program were all so lovely, welcoming and were a treat to be around. Ash, the country coordinator, went above and beyond to make sure the volunteers were all happy and comfortable at all times. He also organised many events that we could participate in when we weren’t volunteering to give us better insight into Sri Lankan culture. The volunteer house had all the amenities you would need and also a pool. At the time that I went, the pool was under maintenance, so we had the choice to go to a pool house 5 minutes away from the main house which was really sociable and fun. There were also custom PMGY taxis which we could hire if we wanted to go anywhere which gave us really easy access to transport and was also very safe and cheap. The volunteers themselves were such a great bunch and I have definitely made friends for life. The turtles in the farm were very endearing and feisty and we got to witness first-hand the devastating effects of pollution in the ocean on the turtles. PMGY also organised weekend trips around the country which were very smoothly run. We always had someone from PMGY accompany us, so the trips were also really informative. I would wholeheartedly recommend volunteering on this project as it was an amazing opportunity that I would love to take part in again.

Fantastic experience: I decided to spend a summer month volunteering because it’s something I had been wanting to do for a long time but, because of various engagements, I had never had the chance. I had no doubts that south-east Asia would be my destination since it’s an area I’ve been in love with since I spent a year in Hong Kong as an exchange student. I surfed the internet, looking at various options, but PMGY caught my eye because of the comprehensive, well structured, interesting programs it offers. When I made contact with them, I immediately felt they could be trusted, and I was absolutely right! I chose PMGY Bali English Teaching Program and I had the time of my life. Nothing has ever made me as happy as helping those lovely and loving children. They are so willing, dedicated and warm that they really changed my life! The program is perfectly organised, you are briefed as soon as you get there, assisted in getting settled and shown around time. There is private transport to take you to the schools and you are joined by local teachers there, but you are free to plan your own work. Don’t think you are not up to it, because all you need is energy and a smile on your face! I didn’t have any experience teaching and English is not my first language, but I managed perfectly and I took back home a suitcase full of thank you letters and drawings my beloved children made for me! The volunteer house is clean, cool and comfortable, the meals are traditional delicious recipes and always abundant. You have a supervisor living right next to you who is always available not only for emergencies, but also to give you advice and help you out with your work as well as with your free time activities. Working week is Monday through Thursday which leaves you with a long weekend to go on trips and explore the amazing island of Bali and beyond. Life is very cheap, therefore, expecially travelling as a group, I was able to afford doing and seeing everything even on my limited budget. You don’t have any expenses while on the program, so you can spend your money on travelling. I would end up writing a book if I told you about everything I saw, from fascinating waterfalls, to jungle hills to pristine beaches and crystal clear waters…….go and see it all with your own eyes! PMGY Bali is a full immersion in a totally different lifestyle which will make you broaden your horizons. But I have left for last the best part about volunteering with PMGY: the volunteers! A bunch of varied, multinational, multicultural, eclectic, fun young people who share two basic goals: making a difference and exploring the world! You will meet the most interesting people and make life long friendships with PMGY. You can leave on your own, but you will never be alone there: you will have staff to support you and tens of volunteers to share your days and your trips with. You will feel you are part of a community who is giving a positive, if small, contribution to a better world.

Fantastic experience: I had the best experience, it was so amazing. I felt I had so much support while I was there and never felt alone. It was a really safe town and everyone was so friendly!

Fantastic experience: INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE If you're wondering whether you should take part in a PMGY Program, then wonder no more, just do it. While I was looking through different websites and a ton of possibilities for what to do in my gap year, PMGY stood out from the others because of all the good reviews I had read, saying that it was a great company, well worth the money you pay for their programs. Of course, I was still a little skeptical, but after contacting them directly and eliminating any worries I had, I knew that they had a great costumer service and that I would be fine when I departed to Bali, Indonesia, where I would be taking part in the Wildlife and Childcare programs for 8 weeks. Before departure, most of the questions you may have will be answered in the in-depth volunteer handbook they send you after you book a program with them. It is a long guide, covering everything from pre-departure preparation, to packing tips, and in-country experience, including about all the programs offered in that country. When I finally got to my chosen location, Bali, the drivers were waiting for me at the airport, just as it was mentioned in both the volunteer handbook and the pre-departure webinar. In terms of in-country support, it couldn't be better in my opinion. The family you stay with is incredibly nice and welcomes you as if you were part of their family as well. Th new in-country coordinators, Jo and Manouk, for Bali arrived the day right after I arrived, and I am glad to say that they never felt like coordinators, but instead like great friends who were always willing to help you. They organized games, movie nights, karaoke, and everything else, from day trips to night outs. We even had a Disney Quiz night, and a Disney week. So, if you're ever worried about something just go to your coordinators and they will do the best they can to help you out. That's the other great thing, you spend so much time with your coordinators, and other volunteers, and after just 2 weeks, or even 1, you already know each other much better than you would ever expect. In my case, I can say that I have made friends for life during my time there, and I am already planning other trips with them. When it comes to programs, I had the chance to participate in two of them. In wildlife, there was a lot of manual labor involved, we cut down trees, we fed the animals, we built toys and cages for them, and we cleaned, a lot. For childcare, you play with the children, you teach English to the older ones and you help the staff from both Bumblebee and Lotus, the two childcare locations, feed the kids and dressing up the smaller ones as well. It's a great experience and that's all I can say about it. You only work from Mondays to Thursdays, so there is many opportunities to get to know the rest of Indonesia, including some trips organized by PMGY themselves. To sum up, if you're questioning whether to do it or not, because you're too young or old compared to everyone else, trust me, you won't regret going. I was 17 at the time of my program, back in October of 2018, while mostly everyone else was 20 or above, and I never felt excluded. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

Fantastic experience: I come volunteered in Bali for 3 weeks in 2018. It exceeded my expectations massively. I was nervous travelling by myself for the first time but this is calmed by the staff in Bali as well as the team in the U.K. I felt well looked after while there and always felt safe and welcome. I participate on the medical project, I loved going to the hospital and volunteering there. However at times I found myself lacking things to do due to the project being mainly an observational role, I understood this when applying although thought there would be more participation. However this didn't take away from my experience. I would defiantly recommend going on the trips and exploring Bali in your free time. I originally booked to go on the Gili T and Ubud trips, but due to the earthquake while I was there unfortunately the Gili trip was cancelled. I really enjoyed the Ubud it was filled with fun activities and a great chance to go on one of the famous Bali swings. My advice for future volunteers would be to enjoy every minute! This was my first time solo traveling and I love it so much I’ve been looking at projects in other countries.

Fantastic experience: 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!

Fantastic experience: 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!

Fantastic experience: I recently 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. Looking forward to many more opportunities with Plan My Gap Year.

Fantastic experience: 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 ☺️