Mark in New Zealand

Hello!

I'm really enjoying it at the moment :) I must say, stepping off that plane/into the hostel, was one of the scariest things ever. Just when I walked in for dinner, and literally 200 heads slowly turned towards me, all thinking, 'Who is that new boy here'! But literally everyone has been so friendly. I've not been to the school yet, although have asked to, as otherwise I find myself with a lot of time in the day, but the people i've met at the hostel are brilliant - the cleaners, the cooks, the laundry lady etc. I always go for 10am tea and biscuits with them, and they're so welcoming.

it was very hard the first week. Being on my own, with no car, so not all that much I could do was difficult. But on Sunday, I went to Marton to look for a car, and met up with the other volunteers. I bought a red Toyota Corolla, called Fred, which has done 300,000km! Although it seems to work very well, and only cost $1100. And I've jazzed it up a bit, by buying (wasting money) on a racing car steering wheel cover, which could not look more out of place!
And the kids are really friendly too, which is nice. Although it is hard to strike the right balance between them liking you, and being a member of staff. I've been warned so many times not to socialise/go to parties with the kids, take them in my car etc
Anyway, just wanted to say thank you very much for the orientation, which was really fun. It was a great introduction, and I've met lots of people I'd travel around with.

To find out more about Lattitude visit our website here and the Lattitude New Zealand Blog here

Connie, Jessica and Alena in New Zealand

We received the following message from the volunteers at Waikato Diocesan Girls’ College.
Hey Sharyn, just wanted to thank you so much for everything you organized for us at the 2 day orientation. We had a ton of fun and got to meet some really great people. We just wanted you to know that we appreciated it. We're having a great time at our school so far and everyone is really welcoming and friendly. Hope all is well. Thanks again!

From Connie, Jessica and Alena

Find out more about volunteering with Lattitude by visiting our website here and our Lattitude New Zealand Blog here

Responsible, Exciting and Different - Hendrik

I had a really good placement: St Patrick's College Silverstream. The school as such is not too big and I had heaps of diffrent tasks during the day. The facility I was staying in was the best possible I think.

1. a) In my freetime: The traveling around New Zealand is just amazing.
b) During work: The McEvedy Shield competetion and the Wellington College Traditional were just amazing!
2)Proabaly the afternoon in the boarding house when I was in charge of the kids and when I coached the a team at the Triathlon Secondary Schools Nationals.
3)The people and their attidute towards other people. The people are very friendly and allways open for small talk.

Responsible, Exciting and Different - Andrew and Ben

Both Ben and Andrew have been volunteering at Palmerston North Boys High School.

1. Responsible— Coaching an unbeaten Rugby team as well as a football and hockey team. This involved training throughout the week and taking them on Saturday morning.

2. Exciting— The 124m bungy in

Queenstown, unbelievable experience.

3. Different- Attitude towards sport from a young age. A lot more serious and

professional.                                           

Andrew

1. Responsible— I run (supper) toasties on Wednesday night, with efficiency, speed and authority.

2. Exciting— Completing the

Tongariro Crossing with the year 13’s was an exciting accomplishment

3. Different—Generally more laid back society.                                  

Ben

Responsible, Exciting and Difference - Laura

I have been working at Nelson College for Girls in the school and in the boarding house (CJ House). I have absolutely loved it and am really going to miss it a lot.
At CJ House it tradition that the gap students put on a gappers quiz just before they leave. Me and Natalie did a WOW (world of wearable arts) recycled themed quiz. We got all the girls to dress up in clothes they had made from recycled things and take part in the quiz. It was a really fun night and everyone got into the spirit of it.
The most exciting thing I did whilst at NCG was probably going on the kayaking trip with the year 13's to Abel Tasman. It was such a fun trip and we got to kayak for 3 days as well camp and tramp.
The most responsible thing that I have done in my placement would probably being on overnight alarms at CJ. 3 times a week me and Natalie would be responsible to turn off any of the burgalar alarms that went off and also respond to texts from girls in the night if there were problems.
I would say that the thing most different between NZ to England is that NZ as a country seems much closer and the people seem to want to help each other more. It just seems a much more laid back place to be.
I have loved my time in NZ and have made some great friends from all over the world. Travelling NZ in the holidays has been the most amazing thing and I will miss it a lot. I want to thank Lattitude and NCG/CJ House for all they have done for me over the last year and for giving me such an amazing opportunity.

Responsible, Exciting and Different - Alexej

We ask our volunteers to tell us some of the most RESPONSIBLE, EXCITING and DIFFERENT things they have done during their placements!

The following information is from Alexej who recently returned home after a year of volunteering at Hato Pāora College in the Manawatū region.

1)The most exciting experience that I recall was getting up early one morning, to put a hangi down for the investiture ceremony of Sir Archie Taiaroa.

2)The most responsible thing I recall doing, was when I worked with a Year 8 student who required learning support.  I had to think of work that was appropriate for his level, but fun for him and I had to keep him focussed on achieving (learning new things). When he worked well we would play some board games.  The longer he remained on task, the longer we got to play the board games (which were also good for building his vocabulary and thinking). We Both learnt "heaps".

3) The most different thing between here and home (Germany) was the cultural aspect of my placement.  Hato Pāora is a Māori school and the school life embraces this. And of course the friendliness of the people of Aotearoa.

If you would like to learn more about Lattitude visit our website here and The Lattitude New Zealand Blog here

Eleanor in Vanuatu

Here are some photos of Eleanor who has just started her placement in Vanuatu.
The photos are from the induction week at Port Villa. Eleanor is having an amazing time and seems to be taking all the challenges in her stride-getting to grips with the language Bislama and many other cultural differences.

To learn more about Lattitude visit our website here and The Lattitude New Zealand blog here

Volunteer Get Together

On Queens Birthday weekend the Lattitude team here in New Zealand organised a Dinner/Get together for all the volunteers in New Zealand. Many of the volunteers were able to attend, some travelling from as far away as Whangarei, Oamaru and Christchurch to make it. The volunteers are nearing the end of their placements and it was great to hear stories of their experiences so far and to see how close their friendships have become. We wish the volunteers all the best for the remainder of their time in New Zealand and their travel home. Thank you to everyone who attended for making the night a great success!

For more information about Lattitude visit our website here and The Lattitude New Zealand Blog here

News from South Africa

Below is a email we received from Alan, a teacher as well as a mentor for the volunteers at Kosi Bay School in South Africa. It is great to hear such fantastic feedback about our volunteers.

“Laura and Thomas were absolutely outstanding! They are a credit to their families, to their countries and to LATTITUDE. They both took their work so seriously, but were always cheerful and friendly to be with. They also were not pushed around, they were firm in their dealings with learners AND staff. Laura brought a mature, diligent demeanour with her each day and she was able to do amazing things with the kids. Thomas is a computer boffin and brought his superior knowledge and ability into practice daily in keeping our ailing, aging computers functioning.
Both did far more at our school than was ever asked and we thank them and LATTITUDE for their generosity. May ALL future placements be as good!!!! “

For more information about volunteering with Lattittude visit our website here and The Lattitude New Zealand Blog here

Volunteers in New Zealand

Here is a photo of Ben and Andrew with Mr Lindsay Carlton, Sports Coordinator. They have been volunteering at Palmerston North Boys’ High School and have had an amazing time.

For more information on how you can volunteer with Lattitude visit our website here and The Lattitude New Zealand Blog here

News from Charlotte in Canada

Hey,

I've been here in Canada at camp chief hector for a good month now! I'm absolutely loving it to bits!!! I've made some cool friends and had a million good times already!!! I'm not sure really what to write except I'm having a good time and haven't been homesick yet.

Thanks for the opportunity!

To find out more on how you can volunteer with Lattitude visit our website here and visit the Lattitude New Zealand Blog here

Lucy at the Edinburgh Sevens!

The photo is of Lucy, Emma, Georgia and Pip at the Edinburgh Sevens. All four girls are placed at schools in England.

To find out more about volunteering with Lattitude visit our website here and the Lattitude New Zealand Blog here

Focus on Community Work Placements- Tess in the UK

News from Tess who is at Calvert Trust - Kielder, a caring outdoor education placement in the UK.

Well where to start... 2 months has flown by already and I feel like I have been here for absolutely ages!!
Haven't missed home that much which is good but all I can say is thank god for Skype because I think I would be lost without it! My placement is amazing, the people that work here blow me away some days with their positive attitudes and they love working here, so it really rubs off on you. It helps when you are working with people who love doing what they are doing. Some of the guests we get here are just amazing, they bring you back down to earth. I mean we think we have a hard life or we have bad days and then I look at these guys and realise I really have nothing to be complaining about. I am really happy where I am and I would just like to say thank you to the amazing New Zealand Team that represent Lattitude, because you all have done and will continue to do a great job.
I have been exploring just a little bit, I want to do more but it is a matter of working it in with work and time off. I spent a weekend in Newcastle with other gappies and spent a week in London with family!
I hope all the preparations for the next load of volunteer's is going smoothly and that there are a lot of applicants.
I love taking a step back some days and realising where I am, and how I got here. I love knowing the good work I am doing here is paying off and really helping out people that need it.
The people I live with are crazy fun and keep me on my toes :) The aussie volunteer's are good fun too. Sometimes I wish I had another kiwi to chill with but it's good that I stay in touch with basically everyone I came over here with so I catch up with them when I can!

I am on a rotating roster, which includes Caring (Feeding, helping dress the disabled), Activities assistant (Pretty much leading activities, but I always have a more experienced person with me) and Domestic (Cleaning rooms, and servicing the center in which we work in). During the World Cup we have dedicated our sports hall to football. We have turned it into World Cup Village. Two flat screen TV's that are playing football all day. The room is decorated with flags from teams all over the world that are participating. A very happy and vibrant room all day long!! Although I am very isolated the scenery here is beautiful and there is always something for you to do. You just have to be willing to go on adventures sometimes, and not know your destination till you get there. It's all about making the most of your time here. That's what a gap year is all about.

You can't always rely on others to take you places, so to find your own type of transport is helpful. Biking is very popular in the forest.
It is very rewarding when you hear people saying they can already see a change in you. Imagine what you can get out of 8 months? Time is flying by, and it only felt like yesterday i was saying goodbye to my family at Christchurch Airport. Time flies when you are having fun! I can definitely say i will not look back with regret, Things can only get better from here.

Thanks Lattitude! :)

For more information visit our website here

Brad in Scotland

Getting involved with a sports team or other club outside of your placement is a great way to meet new people and learn more about the local community. Many Volunteers have joined outside activities on arrival in country once they are aware of their timetables etc and placements are usually keen to encourage them to take part.
Here are some photos of Brad from Oamaru, New Zealand who is a volunteer in Scotland, playing for his rugby team, Strathmore RFC at Murrayfield in the Scottish hydro bowl final.

For more information about Lattitude you can visit our website here and visit The Lattitude New Zealand Blog here

News from Sam in the UK

Hi Everyone
I spent my first half term up in London with two other gappies, Pip and Kate. It was a good week and we did lots of sightseeing. We went and saw the Abercrombie and Fitch store, the Changing of the Guards, the National Portrait Gallery, Hard Rock Café, Harrods (a department store), British Museum, Abbey Road, Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Imperial War Museum, Kensington Palace, Tower of London, London Bridge, Royal Bank, The Monument, Greenwich, Shakespeare’s Globe and St Paul’s Cathedral. We also went into Madame Tussauds (the wax museum.) I also did the London Eye which is really awesome being able to see all over London, but the best was London Dungeons. So that was basically my week in London.

I then came back to school. I am still working Yr3/4, Yr6 and Yr7 Science, along with Yr7, Yr5/6 and Pre-Prep PE and Manor and Prep Games and now Yr6 English, where they read to me and one Yr7 Math's, so I am keeping myself busy.

Once the term finished we had a 3 week holiday. I started off first by going to Belgium. My first day there I went to Ypres which is where there are a lot of war graves. I hired myself a bike and biked around the cemeteries. It was an amazing experience. It was also very cool to see F.C Bakers grave, his name is the first name on the Whangarei Boys’ High School roll of honour, so it was a very cool experience. Well the next day I saw Grote Market in Brussels before heading out to Liegge and catching up with Chase for the afternoon. The next few days I was in Brussels and saw the Manneken Pis, Jubel Park, Notre Dame Church, The Atomium, The Palace of Justice, The Synagogue and The Cathedral. I also tried Belgium waffles and chocolate, they are amazing.

Well from Brussels I flew out to Edinburgh and spent a week in Scotland with Lucy another Gappy. While in Scotland we saw The Castle, Edinburgh Zoo, Murrayfield Stadium, The Aquarium, Greyfriar Bobby’s grave. We then went to Glasgow for a night and saw The People’s Palace but unfortunately it rained. However Scotland was really nice and reminded me of home. I flew back and managed to get back to Seaford for a day to do some much needed washing.

After being back for a day I flew out again this time to Denmark. Whilst in Denmark I saw the old family home called Marienborg. It was really cool to see and something I won’t forget. I also spent a lot of time in Copenhagen seeing the Botanical Gardens, the Royal Guards, art museums, Rosenborg Castle, St Paul's Church, the Museum of Danish Resistance.

Well I have been back at school now for 3 weeks. We had a bank holiday weekend, so went and had a night out in Brighton, and last week I spent a few days helping with exam supervision. But apart from that not much has happened. Hope all is well back in NZ and I will be in touch soon.

For more information about Lattitude you can visit our website here or visit The Lattitude New Zealand Blog here

Outdoor Education Placements in Scotland

Here is a photo of Lattitude Volunteers who are working in Outdoor Education Camps in Scotland.
Scott Holland, Alysha Simensen, Robbie Robinson, Courtney Reynolds, Nick Porter, Tristan Menzies

For more information about Outdoor Education Placements with Lattitude click here

Volunteering in NZ

Time is flying and it’s already May. Joe and I have been in Whangarei as Gappers since August 2009 and all I can say is that we’ve had such a great time so far. Apart from all the travelling, sky diving, bungee jumping, rafting, hiking… one of the main reasons why this year was so amazing is Trish Holloway our boss at the Whangarei Boys’ High School Hostel. She can be strict, and I have to admit it might be with reason every now and then, but she also supports us whenever and wherever we need help – no matter if it’s a friend who needs a place to sleep or advice in female affairs…
That’s why I would like to take this opportunity to thank her representatively for all the people that make experiences like ours possible: Cheers guys!
Max-Bastian Horn

For more information about Lattitude click here

Grace in Poland

Dzien dobry Lattitude!
I am placed at "Klasztor Siostr Niepokalanek" aka "Convent of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady" in Jaroslaw, which is in South East Poland. I am living with another volunteer, Georgina from
Melbourne, in a Convent with 34 nuns (that wear habits and all!)
Poland is (in as few words as possible) simply amazing, charming and beautiful! I have been to
Warsaw, Krakow, and the Tri-City (Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot) so far and have been amazed at the amount of hidden gems this country has. From the quaint and beautifully preserved Old-Towns and Church's to the extravagant Castles, like Wawel, this country does nothing but impress. The same goes for it's people too. The Poles are... different, but delightful! And the other
volunteers, Kiwi's and Aussie's, are priceless. The trips with them have been beyond memorable! The other NZer's, Suzanne, Johanna and Charles are quite amazing. I am so lucky to have met them and to have become so close with them. They're Family, minus the bloodline.
The fact that we, especially coming from little wee NZ, are surrounded by History every day (some of Jaroslaw's buildings date back to the 13th century) is probably one of the most incredible parts of this experience for me. Especially this week, and in particular this weekend; Poland is mourning and grieving for their President, his wife and several other leading members of their Government, and we (the
volunteers), are experiencing this with them. History is taking place right before our eyes and I am
learning so much as it happens!
I am so pleased I am here and chose to take a year "growing up" rather than another year with my nose in books! The members of staff here laugh at Georgina and I on a daily basis, because we look like Cheshire cats; always smiling and overly enthusiastic, but it’s hard not to be. After all, WE ARE IN POLAND! The language can sometimes be a small barrier, but also highly
entertaining. Many memories have been made with our Polish skills, or lack of, but in the end, the meaning or main gist, usually gets across with the odd phrase.
Anyone that is second guessing a gap year in Poland shouldn't. Maybe easier said than done, but of all the doubts or second thoughts I have had, I can firmly say, that now, I have none. I am so happy where I am, what I have seen and am yet to experience. There is nowhere else I would rather be right now. Poland and its People; young, old and nuns, have found a very firm and cosy spot in my heart!
Grace

For more information about Lattitude visit our website here