Just 18 days after finishing school last July I found myself on a plane to New Zealand and about to start the most incredible year of my life. I’m working at a school in Christchurch as a Gap Assistant, helping out in areas such as sport, the Learning Centre and of course in the boarding house.

I’ve had the most incredible opportunities at the school: coaching rugby alongside an ex All Black, being taught how to row by an Olympian and getting to explore some of the best countryside New Zealand has to offer. And all whilst being paid! I’ve also been travelling during the school holidays.

Of course, it’s not all play and requires a lot of hard work at times, but it has been so unbelievably worth it.