“Before going on my Gap Year I wasn’t entirely sure how the year would turn out, but sure enough it was the best year of my life. Initially it was hard saying goodbye to all my family and friends, but after having spent a year in such proximity with my new family (the school community) I found it even harder to return to Australia. Being given the chance to embrace a totally new lifestyle with a whole range of responsibilities so far away from home, gave me the chance to become my own person and with that I was able to gain confidence in myself.”