Mark Skelton graduated from university in June 2009. With a graduate position lined up for a year’s time, he decided to take a gap year and joined Raleigh’s ten week spring expedition in Borneo.
I graduated from university in June 2009 with a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Sheffield. I had a job lined up with the graduate training programme at the Defence Engineering and Science Group (part of the MOD) but I asked for a year off. They agreed to this because Raleigh was seen by them as productive.
I was involved in charity and volunteering work in my third and fourth years at university and I wanted to continue it in my personal life. I heard about Raleigh from a presentation at university and it sounded good and well structured. The opportunities offered sounded amazing as did the support offered to me as a venturer. The infrastructure of the entire organisation including field base and the projects appealed to me as well.
During phase one of my expedition I went to Imbak Canyon to work on infrastructure development. The work was mentally challenging due to its monotony but it helped develop me physically and mentally which was one of the reasons I decided to go. From a scientific point of view, the work was very worthwhile. The camp was great; it was exciting to stay in a place built for expeditions. The environment was incredible and the chance to see what’s there and nowhere else was amazing. It’s something I never thought I’d be able to do. The team atmosphere was very laid back which suited the site. Interacting with the rangers was superb as they were friendly, accommodating and generous.
One of my best moments on expedition was washing in the river after two heavy days of trekking. It was like a Norwegian ice spa and got the adrenaline pumping again making you forget the physical exertions.
I went on expedition with goals in mind and added to those within a week of being at Imbak. I had an established attitude to people and realised I could be more accommodating of other people which is something I’m working on. You can’t switch off from people when you are in small team in the middle of nowhere.
After Raleigh I’m travelling round the Middle East for a few months and then I plan to begin work soon after that.
For me, Raleigh is all about new people from all walks of live all working towards one goal.
Find out more about Raleigh expeditions…
Mark Skelton – “Working With Raleigh In Borneo”
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Mark Skelton graduated from university in June 2009. With a graduate position lined up for a year’s time, he decided to take a gap year and joined Raleigh’s ten week spring expedition in Borneo.
I graduated from university in June 2009 with a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Sheffield. I had a job lined up with the graduate training programme at the Defence Engineering and Science Group (part of the MOD) but I asked for a year off. They agreed to this because Raleigh was seen by them as productive.
I was involved in charity and volunteering work in my third and fourth years at university and I wanted to continue it in my personal life. I heard about Raleigh from a presentation at university and it sounded good and well structured. The opportunities offered sounded amazing as did the support offered to me as a venturer. The infrastructure of the entire organisation including field base and the projects appealed to me as well.
During phase one of my expedition I went to Imbak Canyon to work on infrastructure development. The work was mentally challenging due to its monotony but it helped develop me physically and mentally which was one of the reasons I decided to go. From a scientific point of view, the work was very worthwhile. The camp was great; it was exciting to stay in a place built for expeditions. The environment was incredible and the chance to see what’s there and nowhere else was amazing. It’s something I never thought I’d be able to do. The team atmosphere was very laid back which suited the site. Interacting with the rangers was superb as they were friendly, accommodating and generous.
One of my best moments on expedition was washing in the river after two heavy days of trekking. It was like a Norwegian ice spa and got the adrenaline pumping again making you forget the physical exertions.
I went on expedition with goals in mind and added to those within a week of being at Imbak. I had an established attitude to people and realised I could be more accommodating of other people which is something I’m working on. You can’t switch off from people when you are in small team in the middle of nowhere.
After Raleigh I’m travelling round the Middle East for a few months and then I plan to begin work soon after that.
For me, Raleigh is all about new people from all walks of live all working towards one goal.
Find out more about Raleigh expeditions…