Jenny McLarney - Travelling Intern

WELL HELLO THERE. Welcome to my blog! I’m Gap 360’s second lucky, lucky intern ready to leap into the unknown. There’s not much to say about me, I’m basically just a small town girl (from Kemsing in Kent) heading out into the big wide continent of Africa. I’ll be blogging my way round Seeutth Iefrika to find out everything I can about a country so far removed from our own blessed isle. Apart from a fleeting trip to Disney World in Florida when I was ten and a family wedding in Canada this will be my first proper experience outside of Europe…so I’m pretty excited.

After primary school I braved Tonbridge Grammar School for Girls and then the Judd School before experiencing a wonderfully enlightening three years, studying English, at the University of York. What a place. The combination of culture and cheap kebabs gave me an education I’ll never forget. Unable to let go of the hedonistic university lifestyle or decide on a sensible career path, I clutched onto my beloved city for another year (to complete a masters) before deciding I should probably get a job. Therefore when my brilliantly observant mother accidentally dropped into the conversation that Gap 360 were advertising free gap years, I immediately marched her to the recycling bin.  What a lucky dustbin raid that was. After ferreting around for the last Sevenoaks Chronicle and an application that included a rather odd interview with a grasshopper, I was thrilled to be offered this amazing opportunity.

Now I am eagerly anticipating the end of October when I jet out to Cape Town to begin an awesome adventure. After a week experiencing this beautiful city I’ll be heading down to Dyer Island for a spot of shark conservation (crikey!). Then I’ll be moseying on across to Port Elizabeth to volunteer at a private game reserve where I’ll be getting close and personal with the Big Five. Finally I’ll be spending several weeks at wildlife sanctuaries and monkey rehabilitation centres in the Kruger National Park.  So I’ll be keeping you up dated with my fun and frolics throughout and I hope you enjoy reading my take on Gap 360’s unique South African travel experience!