If you use social media then you’ve probably seen lots of people taking on the #10YearChallenge since the start of 2019. In fact it has become so popular that Facebook had to fend off accusations that it had started the challenge to build an ageing algorithm. Well, all the amazing ‘then and now’ pictures got us thinking, why don’t we challenge our AV’s to show us their pictures from their time with AV and where they are now?!
We know for a fact that the AV Gap Year experience changes peoples lives because so many of our old AV’s have contacted us over the years to tell us about it. Some changed their degree program and their entire career path as a result of their experiences on their Gap Year with AV and many have told us that AV helped to shape the person they have become today.
Some of those AV’s decided to take up the #10YearChallenge and these are the results….
Lilli Johnson – Model
Then
“Going to Uganda was entirely new territory, something completely out of my comfort zone. I got to meet so many wonderful people from walks of life far different from my own. I’m having that same experience in fashion. I’ve never done anything like modeling and it’s really been a push for myself. I get to work with really creative and hardworking people all the time and it’s a job that I find incredibly rewarding.”
Melissa Van Der Klugt – Journalist
Then
“AV India really did change everything — I became a journalist with The Times just so I could go back and write there — which I did in 2016 with the Sunday Times! I’m working freelance this year because I’m writing a book based around India !! – but I am a writer and journalist contributing regulating to the Times, Sunday Times and Radio 4. If people want to follow me on Instagram it’s @missyvdk ”
Now
Simon Wilkes – Director of a business services company
Then
“I’m working within my family group of companies now with my two brothers. We are third generation and really enjoying taking the businesses to the next level. I think the number one thing I got out of AV was the beauty of travel and meeting new people from all walks of life. As a boy I got home sick just boarding at school from time to time, but after Nepal I went to India on my own for a month. Something I never thought I would be brave enough to do when I was age 13. My wife and I are expecting our first child in April and I can’t wait to show them the magic of Nepal and India one day when they are old enough.”
Now
Simon Wilkes and Jack Witts travelled to Nepal almost 20 years ago and are still friends today #onceanav
Katy Tebay – Property Portfolio Manager
Then
“My time is split between looking after my daughter and managing a property portfolio. Nepal taught me to appreciate all I have and contentedness that I still carry with me. I am sure that the experiences I had in Nepal have helped me to deal with the challenges that are life!! Whilst I am sure that like my mum, should my daughter choose to do something similar, I will stand at the airport struggling to hold back the tears but I will also be delighted that she will get to experience some of the wonderful things that I did.”
Now
So where will you be in 10 years time?
A great Gap Year can change your life for the better, giving you perspective on life and helping you appreciate everything you have but also pushing you to do more and achieve the goals you set yourself in life. Not only can a Gap Year broaden your horizons, it can also help you bag that dream job because it can set you apart from the competition and give you something interesting to talk about at interview.
Find out more about our Gap Year programs, you can travel for 2-16 weeks with AV to nine destinations which all offer unique experiences and amazing communities that can really benefit from your help.