A new life

I used to work as a college lecturer in the north of England, running photography courses. It wasn't a bad job and I really liked my students, but I began to feel tired of doing the same thing every day. — choose for gap 1 —1. That's why I knew it was a terrible plan2. I had trained in icy water in the UK so the crystal clear warm water felt amazing3. They always ask lots of questions4. I work far harder than I used to5. I began joking to friends about sending in an application6. Afterwards, some people were surprised by my decision but I wasn't too worried7. I decided I needed a break8. I needed to explain that first I'd always loved travelling, so one weekend I typed 'international volunteering' into an internet search engine. At the top of the results page was the opportunity to go and stay on an island in the Indian Ocean, thousands of miles away, and help to protect the beaches and the sea life — choose for gap 2 —1. That's why I knew it was a terrible plan2. I had trained in icy water in the UK so the crystal clear warm water felt amazing3. They always ask lots of questions4. I work far harder than I used to5. I began joking to friends about sending in an application6. Afterwards, some people were surprised by my decision but I wasn't too worried7. I decided I needed a break8. I needed to explain that first I had some diving experience, and the more I talked about it, the more I wanted to do it. So I contacted the organisation. One week later they offered to send me to the island and I accepted. — choose for gap 3 —1. That's why I knew it was a terrible plan2. I had trained in icy water in the UK so the crystal clear warm water felt amazing3. They always ask lots of questions4. I work far harder than I used to5. I began joking to friends about sending in an application6. Afterwards, some people were surprised by my decision but I wasn't too worried7. I decided I needed a break8. I needed to explain that first After all, the volunteer job was only for two months during the summer holidays. I thought after I'd finished, I'd come home. As soon as I got to the island, I was sure I'd done the right thing. My first dive was incredible — choose for gap 4 —1. That's why I knew it was a terrible plan2. I had trained in icy water in the UK so the crystal clear warm water felt amazing3. They always ask lots of questions4. I work far harder than I used to5. I began joking to friends about sending in an application6. Afterwards, some people were surprised by my decision but I wasn't too worried7. I decided I needed a break8. I needed to explain that first I felt so lucky to be able to experience that every day. In fact I loved it so much that I never came home! I've now been on the island for ten years and I have a permanent job. I'm working as a marine educator, teaching volunteers about the sea life and taking them snorkeling and diving. My desk is a picnic table 10 metres from the best beach on the island. Of course not everything about my new life is perfect. — choose for gap 5 —1. That's why I knew it was a terrible plan2. I had trained in icy water in the UK so the crystal clear warm water felt amazing3. They always ask lots of questions4. I work far harder than I used to5. I began joking to friends about sending in an application6. Afterwards, some people were surprised by my decision but I wasn't too worried7. I decided I needed a break8. I needed to explain that first However, I can't imagine going back to my old life.