- Destination
- Tanzania
- Traveled
- 2015
- Hometown
- Walcha, Australia
This alumni interview shares the experience of Zoe Mathews, from Walcha, New South Wales, Australia, on her 2015 Rustic Pathways gap semester. Zoe’s semester crossed Tanzania, Morocco and Ghana, from summiting Mount Kilimanjaro to riding camels into the Sahara.
Zoe’s Gap Semester in Tanzania, Morocco and Ghana
What sparked your interest to pursue a gap year?
“I was about 13 when I decided to take a gap year. It’s pretty common here in Australia. I’d always been a hard worker at school. The more years I had at school, the more I knew I wanted a break from it. I grew up in a small town and, despite my fortunate travels overseas as a child, I was ready to see (more) of the world. Volunteering in Africa has been my dream for as long as I can remember, so when I saw the Rustic Pathways program to Tanzania, Morocco, and Ghana I was absolutely determined to be on it. I worked part-time whilst completing my last four years of high school at a cafe in town and saved as much as I could to fund my trip.
Do any memories from your Africa gap year still stand out to you today?
From summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro to snorkeling in the reefs of Zanzibar, and riding camels into the Sahara desert to swimming in waterfalls in Ghana, I’ve done some incredible things. The moments I value most are the times we spent with the locals, being in small villages, and enjoying the once-in-a-lifetime moments — like having bucket shower in Ghana surrounded by baby goats.
How did your gap year inspire you?
I am currently studying Development Studies at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, which focuses on sustainable solutions to lift the developing world out of poverty. I reflect on my time in Africa almost everyday. I can relate to real world problems and understand from my travels and experiences a lot more than most of the people I sit next to in my lectures. My gap year in Africa has inspired me to pursue a career in International Relations and hopefully give back to this amazing world.”
Zoe connects her semester with studying Development Studies at the University of New South Wales. Her memories concern her 2015 gap semester.
This semester is no longer offered. See Rustic Pathways Gap Year for current gap year programs.
