Gap Force www.gapforce.org

The Expedition Leader program has been one of the biggest highlights of my life. Trekking jungles in Costa Rica, hiking mountains in Wales and diving in Volcanoes of Nicaragua. It wasn't all fun and games. There were hardships and pressure to perform. All lessons were taught on a hands on basis and every aspect of your performance will be graded and reviewed. It was comprehensive but achievable with the right attitude.

I would like to praise the program for the in-depth interpersonal leadership skills and soft-skills. I believe this was the best skill to take back from the course as the program emphasized on the mental training of a leader which by far is the most important and transferable skill thought throughout the program.

However, I would like to mention that I would personally like the in-house training we've received to be certified on an international basis; cave rescue training, river rescue training and remote first aid.

With everything being said, the program has proved itself to be a 'Leader competent' type of training with the technical skills to compliment.

Okay, let me start off by saying:

Please think twice before you choose Gapforce to plan your volunteer trip.

Read about my trip and experiences with that company, to form your own opinion.

I have been very passionate about the life of orangutans in the past and I wanted to take an active part in saving them. So I choose the borneon volunteer program, provided by Gapforce. So far, so good. Kit list and information were provided online due to a personal login account. I bought my flight tickets and began to buy the things on the kit list, mentioned as mandatory. All of that paid from my own money, of course.

Problems started when I noticed a change on the Gapforce homepage and even my personal login account. Now it said not Borneo, but Sumatra. The whole program seemed to have changed. Out of anxiety I wrote to my contact person at Gapforce, if I needed to worry, because I had noticed this big change, that I had already booked my flight tickets and asked, if my trip would take place as planned. They simply answered that my trip had indeed changed for some reason, added some information of the new trip and that was it. At least they offered to pay the money for my change of flights (that worked without a problem, I have to admit).

So pleaaaaase….changes can happen for whatever reason. I am not blaming the company on that, but please inform the participants as soon as you know. I am still wondering if they would have told me at any point, if I would have found out 2 weeks before the trip or if I would be standing at the airport on the wrong island, waiting for the expedition leader to pick me up. Later I found out, I wasn’t the only one on the group not being informed…so I was not a single person forgotten by mistake or something.

The kit list had changed as well, so the money I had already spend on few things on the old list, was lost (outdoor stuff is not really cheap).

I had no choice and began to buy the things on the new list, only to find out that some of the objects were deleted again … only 3 weeks in advance of the trip. When do you think I go shopping? All the outdoor stuff like hammocks and special pockets knives. I can’t simply buy them at the next supermarket. I have to go to an outdoor shop or order it online. Depending on where you live, that takes time. So again…lots of money lost…very annoying.

Looking back now, the kit list was rubbish anyway. Only some things were needed and a few really important ones missing instead.

I did the required medical blood tests and even an x-ray of my lung to proof that I don’t have tuberculosis, am healthy and ready to go. Found out later from another girl of the trip, that these tests weren’t longer obligatory due to the change of trip. Frustrating!

When the trip came closer, we got an email that asked us to add a specific Gapforce-guy on Facebook who would then add us to a specific Facebook-group with the other participants. Cool idea, because you do spend the next four to eight weeks with those people, it’s nice to get to know them in advance. So I did as asked and … nothing happened. I had to remind that person twice till he did add me to that group. The e-mail also informed us on a pre-departure briefing live on YouTube. Again … cool idea to clear up the last questions and again…nothing happened. I was sitting in front of my computer, had changed my schedule of that day to be able to participate and nothing happened. I thought I had problems with my internet, did it wrong somehow or misunderstood something. So I asked. A few days later I got a response, that he had some difficulties and couldn’t do it.

And again, I asked myself…Problems can happen, no problem, but why couldn’t you just let us know. We were all waiting and curious. Communication – not a big ability of Gapforce.

By all that small and bigger things going wrong in advance, I started my trip with mixed feelings, not knowing much about what to expect.

I arrived in Medan (Sumatra), our expedition leader welcomed us, drove with us to a hostel where we spend the first two nights of our trip. She just came back from another leading a trip, it was her first time in Indonesia and she had no clue on the trip herself. She really did a good job, helped us wherever she could during the weeks and I can’t blame her. But on the website it says “our leaders are prepared and knowledgeable on our destinations.”

I simply want to point out that this, from my experience, is not true. She was more of a participant herself.

Another thing: Gapforce promises every participant a t-shirt - we simply never got it. Due to our leader, a common thing happening. Not that I insist on that shirt, but it’s just adding on their unprofessional behaviour.

After the first two days OIC (Orangutan Information Centre), the inland company we all volunteered for, took responsibility and from that moment on the trip went smoothly.

They did plan everything. The program itself, the work, the food, transportation and staff.

It was an awesome experience I will never forget, but credit goes to OIC, not Gapforce.

At the end of our four weeks Sumatra trip, there was an optional four weeks Bali add on. Unfortunately there was a volcano eruption on Bali at that time and UK called out danger level 4. The trip had to be cancelled and everyone were send home. That was force majeure, but as far as I know, Gapforce refused to refund those, planning on attending this trip the money. Insurances had to cover, which is simply ridiculous. Gapforce cancelled! They didn’t/couldn’t render any service. No money was spend on anything. They simply kept it - easy money for them!

We all are paying so much money on these trips, work hard to pay for it. So please fulfil the promises given on the website, only provide information you are sure about, don’t change them whenever you want and and communicate with the participants. Be fair!!!

I hope they can at least appreciate and credit the work OIC has done for them.

The Indonesia/Sumatra trip was a life-changing one. The experience not only opened my eyes and mind to many new experiences, but also made me feel at home to a culture that is thousands of miles away from my own. The trip started off with a brief stop in the city of Medan, which gave everyone an opportunity to adjust and comedown from the extensive travelling that had undergone. There was also a brief opportunity to explore the hectic but exciting city, with street food, gift shops and markets. After, we lived in the Sumatran jungle home to orangutans, rhinos, elephants, tigers and so much more amazing animals. We were able to help in the reforestation process, by farming and maintaining different areas of the jungle. Making it suitable for the orangutans and other animals to live in. We trekked and camped in the rural jungle for several days. We had the opportunity to see various animals/insects and swim at the most gorgeous waterfall. We partook in observing and monitoring orangutans, which was such an intimate experience to be so close to such a powerful human-like animal. We moved to various locations including local villages, Aceh where we went to the Gunung Leuser National Park. Here were had the ability to see even more orangutans, trek throughout the park, go water rafting and have karaoke parties at the cabin! My personal favourite part of the trip was our stay at the Permaculture Centre in Aceh. We were able to design and build our own garden, plant various vegetation and flowers including: tomatoes, red lettuce, lemongrass, chile and sunflowers. The view was breath taking and it was so peaceful. Overall, the experience as a whole was wonderful. Indonesians are some of the most gentle and welcoming individuals. The Gap force team and leader were tremendously helpful and supportive throughout the excursion. This trip allowed me to make some life-long friends and connections and if you have the opportunity to experience something as life altering as this take it!

I took a trip to the Bahamas in January 2017 for 10 weeks for the marine conservation program, and I loved it. I met some incredible people, including the staff members, who I'm sure I'll be friends with for years. I had never been diving before so it was a bit of a risky move to jump in for 10 weeks, but I absolutely loved learning to dive, the instructors were great and were really helpful. We had two interns from the previous phase who knew everything about the program and the ins and outs of the camp. The camp was even more basic than I thought it was going to be, but I wouldn't have changed that because it made the experience better - everyone is in the same situation no matter where you're from, just be wary of frogs sitting in the toilet bowls! The camp itself is beautiful, right on the beach which stretches for miles with no other people, and the dive sites you are taken to are amazing - if you are expecting to see sharks, rays and turtles, you will not be disappointed! One of the few downsides is the food, because it's very basic, mostly noodles, rice and vegetables, but there are two local shops where you can get a few luxuries.

South Africa Trip. Landed in Cape Town and spent the day gathering everyone together. Our Team Leader took us to our hostel. We knew hostels were a big part of the trip but this was something else. In District 6, our hostel didn't resemble the online pics in any way. There were no other travellers here but beds were full, of local homeless people. We could tell that because no one had shoes or belongings! This may be the cheapest place to be to maximise GapForce profits. The girls (one was 16 years old) were advised to wear Femidoms if they were concerned about HIV and being assaulted. One in the group hastily posted pics home to try and get parents on to the company to get moved to better accommodation. The company weren't interested. Another said he couldn't stay there so went out all night long drinking and came back at 6am. The dorm was cramped and dirty. Two filthy toilets available in the whole place. A bar playing music all night long next door. This place was booked for a whole week and we had to take meals here as well. Chicken and chips for lunch accompanied by locals from the street shouting obscenities in my face when we didn't give them our food. The same food was put in small boxes at 2pm in our room for us to re-heat in the evening. District 6 it not a nice area. This trip wasn't about living in poverty but it was about having experiences of a positive nature in a reasonably safe environment. A brief description on their website of accommodation mentions hostels, homestay and camping. A picture accompanies it that looks basic, clean and cosy. Misrepresentation!

The following week's accommodation was no better. Some of the group were staying in hostels before we all got together, there are some great hostels in Cape Town, in better areas. It is so cheap, you can get great digs for very little money. This place was around £5 a night. If you don't mind living in squalor, then I would recommend GapForce, just know what you are paying for. I cut my trip short, I am happy to live in basic accommodation but not this. Feel completely ripped off. GapForce were unwilling to do anything about the situation even though we were all unhappy.

i have done 2 programs with gapforce, the thailand adventure and the borneo and bali program, and im very disappointed. they claim they pay for 3 meals a day, they didn't give us nearly enough money to pay for 1 meal, even at the cheapest place you can eat. the kit list they gave us was very wrong, and i spent $60 on gortex socks that i didn't need. in thailand, our coordinator was never there to help us. my friend and i had to go to the hospital by ourselves and the coordinator had no clue we went or that my friend needed to go. we paid about $2,000 for the 4 week thailand program, and everyone else who was at the accommodation was only paying $250 per week for the same program. very upset about wasting my money. do not go through gap force if you want your money's worth.

Well where to start? The season got off to a good start with the Skiforce staff in Val d'Isere going well above and beyond to sort out any problems and get everyone settled, and before long me and the other gappies had started the course!

The course itself is well structured, giving you enough time to find your feet, and touch on any bad habits before progressively getting into some more serious skiing, with excellent world class instructors. Each week is focused on a different discipline; from race training - to freestyle, giving you a chance to improve rapidly and enjoy the (quite intense) skiing!

Luckily, Val d'Isere has excellent après and night life, a great way to wind down after a long day on the slopes, starting après with two pound a pint is always a plus and a great way to relax before hitting any of the reasonably large clubs. If this isn't enough Val plays host to a variety of excellent event and activities throughout the season. From the Frostgun Invitational and the X Games, big air comps, to the New Years celebrations, guest DJ's, and a small market every Monday!

As part of the instructor package we gained access to great experiences, like a refuge hut trip in the middle of the mountains, to a helicopter pick up after a great guided off piste morning in the expansive Espace Killy, which truly gives enough variety to last a season and still give you something new!

All in all this season with Skiforce by Progression has been more than expected, with helpful and friendly staff, great instructors and a group of friendships that'll last a lifetime, it's definitely an experience to be had, and one I hope to soon repeat.

My three months in Belize was incredible, I met amazing people and had amazing experiences. It allowed me to push my physical and mental boundaries which was incredibly rewarding. I experienced amazing sights and wildlife every day as well as have a lot of fun! Belize is a beautiful country and thanks to trekforce I was able to see it in ways many others can’t. I can't wait to go back one day.

Since I returned from my Trekforce expedition I have become much better travelled and have lived in France (twice), Paraguay and the Czech Republic for anywhere from two months to three years. I’ve also become a full-time EFL teacher, with Malaysia being my tester. The expedition gave me the confidence to live in unusual circumstances, and comes in very useful in job interviews (I directly attribute my job in Paraguay to my time in Borneo). It was an amazing experience, and one which will stay with me for the rest of my life

My trip to Borneo felt like a life-changing experience. I had an amazing 6 weeks living in the jungle, learning many useful skills. I met some great people and made life-long friends. The local people were also amazing as they were so hospitable and friendly. The only criticism I would have would to be able to spend longer on the trek!!!