9
FEBRUARY 2009 futures
futures SCHOOLS
A gap year can help you
see the world differently!
T
HE beginning of the year means
university application deadlines for
many students, but for a number of
young people, university is not the
first thing on their minds. The
appeal of a gap year is often too hard to
pass up and a growing number of young
people are taking time out of their studies
to travel the world.
This was the case for 19-year-old
student Peter Green, who left
Cockermouth Sixth Form in September
2007 and began his gap year around the
world.
"When I left sixth form I didn't have a
specific career in mind. I knew I wanted
to do something science-related but I
wasn't sure what that was," Peter said.
"I always had a keen ambition to go to
New Zealand as I was born there, so I
thought this would be one of the few
opportunities for me to go back.
"My dad suggested I should go and
when I mentioned it to my friend, Greg
Bowker, he was keen to come along so
towards the end of our final year in sixth
form we decided to go for it.
"From September that year to the
March the following year I had three jobs
to fund the trip.
"I managed to save up quite a bit but I
knew I didn't want to skimp on anything
when I got there and try out as many
different activities and excursions as
possible."
Hong Kong was the first stop for the two
travellers, where they stayed with Peter's
aunt before moving on to Sydney,
Australia, where they stayed for a week.
"My auntie showed us round Hong
Kong which really helped us out at first
until we found our feet, and when we
went on to Sydney we stayed with friends
Whitehaven School Post 16 Centre
For more information contact: Keith Finlinson - Head of Post 16 CentreFor more information contact: Keith Finlinson - Head of Post 16 Centre
Telephone: 01946 852866Telephone: 01946 852866
email: kfinlinson@whitehaven.cumbria.sch.ukemail: kfinlinson@whitehaven.cumbria.sch.uk
Open Evening:Open Evening: TuesdayTuesday 3rd February3rd February 5.30pm to 8.00pm5.30pm to 8.00pm
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of my dad, but by then we were more
independent and confident as travellers,"
Peter said.
"We spent five months in New Zealand
after we left Sydney. It was an absolutely
amazing country and my favourite place
was Queensland, it has everything and it
was so beautiful.
"There were natural springs and the
beaches were fantastic. There were
endless amounts of activities and
attractions to see and try.
"While I was there I did two sky-dives,
bungee jumped, white-water rafted,
black-water rafted in caves and glacier
piked � which is basically climbing."
Peter, who organised his trip via a
Cockermouth travel agent, said
travelling abroad for six months helped
him decide where he wanted his career
to go and prepared him for life at
university.
"Travelling helped to show myself what
I wanted; you have to learn how to look
after yourself and manage your money,"
Peter added.
"You learn to make friends quickly;
everyone is of the same mind set as you so
in a way it really prepared me for
university."
After deferring university for 12
months, Peter enrolled at Lancaster
University in September last year on a
three-year biochemistry course.
Peter said: "I would eventually like to
work in a lab or be involved in cancer
research. I firmly believe that travelling
for six months eased me into university
life and gave me a better grounding as a
student. I think if you have the passion to
go travelling and see what the world, you
should go for it. It was the best six months
of my life."
SKY'S THE LIMIT: Peter Green enjoyed sky-diving, bungee jumping and white-water rafting

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