Exactly 353 days ago, I left my family, friends and everything else I knew behind to explore another country with people I had never met. Little did I know that this would be the greatest decision of my life.

Not only has New Zealand shown me some of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, but it has also allowed me to grow as a person in so many different ways. The freedom of a gap year has made me more financially responsible and helped me figure out all the things I want and don’t want out of my university experience in the years to come.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not always easy sailing. There’s ups and downs at work, with your roommate and other gappies you spend loads of time with but all in all the pros by far outweigh the cons.

I wouldn’t change anything at all.