AN Okehampton graduate is heading off on the trip of a lifetime next month, as he prepares to spend eight months on a student project in Nepal.
John Cruft, who has just graduated from Sussex University with a degree in politics and development studies, is a member of the Students Partnership Worldwide project, which runs placements for English students in Africa and Asia.
John, aged 22, is due to fly out to Katmandu on September 12, at the start of a trip which will see him teaching English to Nepalese students and taking part in community projects too.
John said: 'I'll be training for the first six weeks, when you get an intensive language course and a TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) and taught about the Nepalese culture.'
John said the schools involved in the project range in size from 100 to 800 pupils and could be based in towns or in rural areas. He is likely to be working with children at the younger end of the schools.
'Basically they assess you during the training and send you out with a Nepalese student to a school which they think will suit you, where you spend six months,' said John, who is hoping to go to a rural area.
'The foothills of the Himalayas would be nice!' he said.
'About 60 per cent of it will be formal English teaching and the other 40 per cent will be working in the community on non-formal teaching, like sports or drama,' said John.
He will also be working with 'green clubs', which are run by the students themselves and raise awareness of key issues within the community, with the aim of sustainable development.
He said he is 'very much' looking forward to spending time in Nepal, where he will be staying with a local family.
But his first challenge, before he even sets foot on the plane, is to continue raising the £3,000 sponsorship needed to pay for his flight, visa and insurance.
Anyone who might be able to help John can contact him on 07989 944080.