As our gap year comes to an end, I can't help but to reflect on the amazing year that we've had. There is no doubt that the experiences we've shared have shaped us more than we could ever imagine this year.

Having lived in China now for 4 months I seemed to have been enchanted with the place and the people. Studying at China’s top university has set itself up as one of the most privileged experiences I've had and every day you can see the pride that these students have for their school and their studies (only the top of the top of the top Chinese students get accepted into Tsinghua, out of a whole province of millions of students only a handful are enrolled).

The friends that we made at both Quest and in China will be sorely missed and will never be replaced, but the international network that we've webbed is a strong one and is enforced by the friendships we created and grew over the last year.

While showing our friends a video from our Quest experience I couldn't help but miss my time in Zim, the scruffy African bush veldt, the smell before it rained, the morning runs, weekend cycles, seeing the stars light up the sky at night, a blue sky, a warm sun, the boys and the people that made Quest a reality for us.

This gap year has been a year that I will never forget for the rest of my life, one that hopefully I will tell my children one day*  "Did you hear about that time at Quest when I wrestled with crocodiles, conquered the mighty Zambezi, or got lost in the middle of mystical china?"- I’d tell them.

A gap year comprising 8 months at Quest Africa combined with the stark reality of China has set Zach and I apart, and we've grown from both experiences each in their own special ways.

As we close one door in our life we open another (starting university is the next great challenge that we'll tackle) we will utilise the strength and mindset we learnt at Quest, as well as the dedication and diligence we learnt in China

In closing...

"So how old are you guys really- no jokes this time?" Caitlin- a blonde American with an attitude from Boston, asked both Zach and I. "19" we both replied, simultaneously to this odd response to our age.

"I would've said that you guys were 25, because you have so much life experience under your belts" she replied in shock, "You guys have done so much, it's unbelievable"

A gap year is can be an invaluable asset to any young man or woman. Undoubtedly the combination and better half of the year with Quest has set itself up to be the best decision anyone can possibly make before starting that next step in their life, slowly but surely taking hold of that rope the big bad world has to offer them!

Abe and Zach Louw