So I thought I’d do an up-date on what it’s like returning from a placement and how it’s been adjusting to life back home.
I returned home from my placement last week. The whole flight coming from Australia was full of different emotions, happy, sad, excited, disappointed - you name it, I felt it! I was already in a boat where half of me missed Australia so much already, yet the other half was so excited to see all my friends and family back home.
I’ve been keeping busy since I’ve been back, seen pretty much every family member who lives in my town, along with many friends. I’ve already got 2 dates set up at the local Sixth Form Center in my town, which I attended for my A-levels. I’ll be doing a talk with Year 12 students one day and Year 13 students the second day, about my experience as a volunteer, along with also trying to encourage the students to really think about doing a meaningful GAP Year. I then also have sorted myself a job out, starting in the New Year, on top of looking for some voluntary Youth Work in my local town.
Although there’s been all these positives, I still can’t get over the fact I’m no longer in Australia at my placement. I miss all the other volunteers deeply, who became such good friends and really like my family during the 11 months I was there. The staff, who were so welcoming and many of them really did become good friends, with some becoming part of my extended family. My former mentor and her family, who literally treated us volunteers like their own family, really looking after us during our stay. The really laid back, chilled out life-style that Australia is profoundly known for. But most of all, the AMAZING students that I met at my placement, their fun personalities, their stories and most of all the Indigenous Culture that they all represent.
You can tell people about your experience and how you feel now you’re home, but I’ve noticed, no-one will know at all how you feel or be able to truly understand, unless they’ve done something similar. Therefore, it’s great to keep in touch with other volunteers so you can help each-other through the transition period of your life after your placement. One thing that’s really kept me going is, remembering everything I done during my placement, the students I helped and everything I personally learned from the whole experience. It really is memories like these that last with you for the rest of your lifetime.
I really do appreciate everything Lattitude Global Volunteering do for their volunteers and I’d one hundred percent recommend them to anyone. From the offset they’re they’re assisting you with everything, the interview, matching you up with your placement, giving you fundraising ideas, the pre-departure briefing, the in-country orientation and constant support during the placements.
This year has really has opened my eyes and views on the world, the issues it holds and the opportunities out there to be taken, Although I had a good idea of what I wanted for the future, it’s definitely helped give me the extra drive and determination to get there. For that I’m so thankful to Lattitude, Djarragun College and everyone I met throughout the year. 
