Hi!
This is something a little bit different but should be a lot of fun to experience and write about! As of a week ago I have finished uni! WOOOOOO! Just got to wait for results though – AHH!
However, I knew once I had finished my degree I would want to take a break to chill and escape life while I waited for my results. Anyways, last year my younger sister took a trip to Sri Lanka to do three works on a turtle conservation volunteering program… and it looked like so much fun, I decided to take a similar program! Sooooo, as I am writing this I will be flying off to Sri Lanka for three weeks at the end of this week!!
I wanted to document this time for myself but also anyone else curious, as this is well outside of my comfort zone and will be my first time travelling on my own, well not completely! But it seems like the perfect time to go before I have to lock in and find my big girl job, as well as not overthinking uni grades (which is all I have done since I submitted my final assignment!). So this will be a 4-part post series, breaking it down into the preparations before I left, followed by a rundown of each week, where I share what I did, learned and all the good, fun stuff!! So lets get into it shall we…
How am I doing this?
So last year my sister came across a company called Plan My Gap Year (often referred as PMGY), who provide various travelling and volunteering programs across the world for young adults, 17-25 year olds, to explore new places and contribute to communities with affordable, flexible programs. As mentioned, my sister did 3 weeks turtle conservation in Sri Lanka with added on weekend trips including to the Maldives! So cool!
Now honestly, I didn’t want to exactly copy my sister despite the fact it sounded like she did an amazing program, so I opted for two programs back to back! I am doing the ‘Intro to Sri Lanka’ 2 weeks travelling program, followed by a week on the dog volunteering program.
The PMGY team have been so useful in helping find and compile my trip into one amazing experience! They also provide webinars and so many more accessible, helpful resources to ensure you are prepared and confident to go! They have programs in Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, South America, or can even go on multi destination trips!
Is it expensive? Well that depends, but it can be as good as a deal of £16 per day. It depends on how long you’re there, can range from 1-40 weeks, any add-ons you select, such as a PMGY t-shirt, travel insurance, weekend trips etc. So, realistically you can plan it around a budget but do keep in mind additional costs outside of PMGY prior and during are needed. But they provide transfers from the airport, meals, transport and accommodation. For the two weeks travelling and the dog volunteering program, a t-shirt and no other additions, mine costs in total under £1000. But I have spent more elsewhere for the trip!
Now let’s look at things I needed to prepare for going to Sri Lanka itself, followed by what I prepared for going with PMGY.
Preparing for Sri Lanka
So this is mainly about preparing to be in the country outside of being with PMGY.
Sri Lanka is for the majority Hindu, meaning it is for the most part a modest country, specifically the rural areas. There is also minimal consumption of alcohol (which is not an issue for me as I am no where near a big drinker!). So I have packed modest clothes for when I am out and about in rural or religious areas.
In addition, vaccines! I had to get 3 vaccines that were recommended for Sri Lanka, which were Hepatitis, Typhoid and Tetanus. However, since through PMGY I was volunteering with dogs, I also had to get the rabies vaccine. These were very expensive, and rabies was the most! So do be aware of these additional costs.
Another thing to bear in mind is that Sri Lanka is a country with a closed currency. Meaning you can only exchange with their currency in the country, I have been told there are ATMs and currency exchange desks at the airport so its easy to have ruppee in cash soon after you land.
Of course, to actually go to Sri Lanka, I am going to need flights! This for me I think was the most expensive cost overall! This is partly because I wanted to fly direct! I am using Sri Lankan Airlines as they gave me the best deal for direct flights to and from Sri Lanka, where I land in Colombo.
It is always a good idea to have travel insurance, now we have a family plan so I did not need to take any out but it is very important to! As mentioned, PMGY do offer insurance plans with an associated company or can get your own. There are many options.
Also, to be allowed into the country, as for most foreign places we travel to, a visa is needed! Now as I am only going for 21 days I got an ETA visa which was quick to apply and was quickly accepted also but just in case I have printed off to keep with my passport just in case, along side flight details and travel insurance etc.
Preparing for PMGY
In order to travel with PMGY, they required photo ID but also a background check. Being from the UK I got a DBS certificate and sent a copy. But this is another additional expense of £21 for a basic DBS check, to bear in mind if using PMGY.
Prior to the trip PMGY asks for you to read and sign the code of conduct to ensure that it is clear in a standard code of conduct so everyone is safe, kind and able to have fun.
PMGY also have Facebook groups per country for people to meet each other if they are on the same programs or in the country at similar times. Once I had posted in the facebook group for Sri Lanka, I met a girl who was in Sri Lanka around the same time as me and added me to a separate group on Instagram of other people who are in Sri Lanka around the same time. Through this Instagram group I found four girls on the same travelling trip as me, so we have ANOTHER group of just us. I even found out one of the girls is on the same flight as me, so we are meeting at the airport. This is something that I would not have known, if I hadn’t joined the FaceBook group, so I highly recommend getting on it ASAP when you get the link!
As mentioned, to volunteer with the dogs I had to get the rabies vaccine, which is three injections taken across three weeks. There is an accelerated option if time is of the essence but if you are aware if you might need it then get it! Again this was the most expensive vaccine for me to get and all three injections cos double what the other three combined cost! But that is just my experience with the travel clinic I used, so do bear that in mind!
Packing
Ok, packing! this is linked to both as I am packing based on PMGY’s list so I’ve put it in its own section! Aside from the obvious if clothes, passport, money and important documents etc. here are some other items I have considered taking based on PMGY’s packing list and my sisters advice:
- Quick-drying Towel (I have 2! 1 big and 1 small!)
- Grippy shower mat (some places m
- Insulated Water Bottle
- Camera
- Airpods
- Portable Charger
- Day Bag plus a tote bag
- Plug Adapter (I’m taking one but I believe if you’re from the UK it may not be necessary!)
- Toiletries (obvious too I suppose, don’t want to be stinky!)
- Suncream and insect repellent!
- First Aid kit (…)
- Shoes: I’m taking trainers and flip flops, maybe my crocs too!
- Light rain poncho
- Hat
- Modest clothing options (this is because of some of the nature of the activities either travelling or volunteering, modest clothes may get in the way!)
My Travel Essentials
Now personally I have a few non-negotiable packing items I take with me wherever I go! Some may have been mentioned but without these I don’t know what I’d do!
- Playing Cards – omg they live in my handbag! I grew up with a ‘no phones round the table’ rule so to keep us ‘kids’ entertained we play card games
- Portable Charger – the last thing I want to do is not be able to contact someone in an emergency!
- Good shoes – my trainers are my go to as they work for so many occasions and spontaneous adventures!
- Kindle/IPad – I always bring additional entertainment such as a craft but I never go anywhere without my kindle or IPad! I love getting lost in other worlds whether watching or reading so I always take at least one of them while I am stuck on a plane.
So,
I am so very excited yet very nervous for this trip! Meeting new people and seeing new experiences and culture, making this already feeling like an unforgettable trip, and the company seems to be so good my sister is doing one of their South African programs later in the summer!
As I said, this part 1 of 4 and I am so excited to update you as the weeks fly by – whether I write and publish as I go or wait until I have returned is still undecided but I will be very much looking forward to sharing this experience with you as I am trying something very new for me!
Please enjoy the rest of your time here. You are always welcome here.
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