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January 2008 Newsletter
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Meet the next of our Grown Up Gappers!
Pauline Clark, 53, has taken a three month career break from her nursing position in Liverpool to volunteer on the Swaziland Orphan Care Project.
Before she left we chatted to her to see how she was feeling about the adventure ahead of her.
What was your motivation to take a break and go travelling?
It's very common now for young people to take a gap year. That wasn't so when I was younger. I was married and had young children so it was never possible for me to do. I've always thought of that lost opportunity.
Was there anything in particular that prompted you to take the first step?
I thought, before I get too old, (I might be 52 but I feel 25) I must take this opportunity now before it is too late. My father died at the age of 52 and now I think that good heavens that is young, and I'm now at that age and if I don't do this now I'm never going to do it.
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How did you feel once you had booked?
It doesn't matter what time of year and whether it is raining - I'm not going there to get a tan or to chill out as it were. I feel that I am going out there to do a job and hopefully to do it very well.
What do your family and friends think of your plans?
My 73-year-old neighbour said “I can't believe you are going to Africa…oh Pauline if I was twenty years younger I would come with you. I think you are marvellous”. I'm not marvellous; I'm no different from anybody else.
How did you organise getting the time off work for your trip?
Initially they said, “Well, we've never had anyone who's wanted to do this, we'll have to speak to the management and find out”. Then it was very straightforward, my job and my position have been kept open so it's not a problem other than they're not going to pay me but I didn't expect that they would!
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Have you had any second thoughts or last minute nerves?
I am nervous about going, I'm sure I won't make a botch job of it and I'm sure I will be fine, I just don't want to let anybody down.
What do you hope to achieve on your trip?
Something positive. I suppose everyone says they want to make a difference. Just make a difference to somebody. |
Find out more about our grown up gappers!
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 Back to Gap Year For Grown Ups Newsletters
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Featured Traveller
Janet Horsley had an incredible time on her tailor-made gap year, blazing a trail through Africa, Asia, Australia and Latin America, read her story here.
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