Exploring new horizons

Our enrichment programme for Sixth Form students continued following the Easter break when we welcomed two visitors to talk to the girls about volunteering and travel opportunities open to young people after they have left school.

The first speaker was Francesca Trotman, Managing Director and founder of “Love the Oceans”, a non-profit marine conservation organisation that has been working in Guinjata Bay, Mozambique since 2014. Francesca talked through the organisation’s volunteer programme that provides individuals with the chance to work alongside their marine biologists and the local community, helping with conservation, through research, education and diving over a 2 – 6 week period. Francesca spoke in detail about the programme, what the participants can hope to achieve and how it benefits the local community.

The second speaker of the morning was Matt Latimer from GAP 360, company that provides gap year travel opportunities to a wide range of travellers. Matt spoke to the students about the huge range of travel and GAP year programmes available and shared some of his own adventures with the group. It was very interesting to hear about the many experiences on offer in over 50 destinations from group travel, to adventure expeditions, paid work, volunteering and a range of different activities.

Both speakers highlighted the benefits of travel and volunteering in terms of the impact it can have on an individual. They also spoke about the fact that employers look favourably on candidates who have travelled during or after studies, and as a result have handled challenging situations, interacted with new people and experienced different cultures.