Jack Holt

I'm currently studying at the University of Wales, Swansea, reading Ancient History and Philosophy. I'm going into my second year now, after having a fantastic time in my first year.

Before I went to university, I took a GAP year and taught in Malaysia for four months, at a school just on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. I had abrilliant time, and met some really nice people. It was so strange to be teaching so shortly after I had left education, I found myself sometimes mentally siding with the children, having been one not so long ago, and had to remind myself that I was teaching.

After my teaching placement finished, a lot of the 'Gappers' in Malaysia, me included, went northwards and travelled the east coast of Thailand, up to Bangkok, where we spent a few days. From Bangkok, we all formed smaller groups and went our separate ways. Me and four others went over the border to see Cambodia, and then Vietnam. My GAP year was an incredible experience, and I urge anyone to take a year out to travel or do a placement, the rewards are enormous!

Having not taken part in many societies last year, I made an effort to join more at the end of the term, with the result that this year I am helping run two of them. I am the editor on the Film Section for the university newspaper, 'Waterfront', and the Publicity Liason Officer for the Swansea Manga and Anime Society . This position means I have to correspond with companies who own the licenses for the Anime distributed in the UK and get permission to show the films, I also have a role to play in advertising the society within the university and encouraging new members to join.

As well as these two positions within the societies, I am also creatively involved in two projects. I am directing and producing a short film, and also preparing to write a novel, my first piece of creative fiction of any significant length.

Well that's pretty much my life after school so far.

I'm amazed how ingrained some things from school still are, I still have this urge to address you as Sir!

Also you'll be pleased to know that the majority of the German has stuck, and is currently proving very useful as a footing to learn Spanish from.