What was your motivation to take a gap break?
I enjoy travelling and was fortunate enough to have an opportunity to take 4 weeks away from work. I wanted to use the time to do something that was different to anything I’d done before.

How did you feel before you joined the programme?
Excited, the more and more terrified as the departure date came closer!

How did Gap Year For Grown Ups compare with your expectations?
It was most definitely an experience that I won’t forget.

What was the accommodation like?
The accommodation was fine. The guesthouse owner and his family were very friendly and approachable. The guesthouse was in a quiet location but still within easy reach of the city centre.

What was the most memorable moment of your trip? Any anecdotes?
See below

Your find was really impressive! Please tell us more about the whole experience. How long were you there for before you made the find? How did it feel to tell the others about your discovery?
I was beginning my last week on the site when I found the gold after three weeks of digging. During that time I'd been working on a locus where I was uncovering the walls of a room. Some stones from a collapse had been broken up and as I was clearing away the rubble I found the gold. From that moment on it was pretty chaotic. There were photographers and journalists not to mention TV cameras. The find was the biggest that they had had in Jerusalem and all of the people on the site were thrilled. I did tell one friend back home but as you would expect they didn't really believe me!

Has your find changed your future plans? Do you think you will return to the site?
I will definitely return to the site. It will be open for another two years so I hope to get out there and see how it is progressing. The find has certainly encouraged my interest in archaeology and I hope to do more of it in the future.

How have you benefited from your experience? What do you feel you accomplished during your trip?
I learned how hard it is to excavate a site. The programme also gave me an insight into how a dig is carried out and what it entails. I met some great people and learned a lot about Israel. A lot of people said I was mad to go there and dig for my holiday but I found it a rewarding experience. Finding the gold was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget.

What advice could you offer to someone considering this programme?
Be prepared for it to be really hard work but if you give it all you've got you will find it to be a great experience.