Ben Shares His South Africa Expedition Experience

Ben was searching for new inspiration and a reset when he decided to join a 10-week Raleigh Expedition to South Africa in February 2024. A recent media graduate and passionate radio enthusiast, Ben took a leap, pushed himself out of his comfort zone and rediscovered his confidence through Raleigh.

Through his time working on environmental and community projects, trekking the Drakensberg Mountains, and reconnecting with his love for radio, Ben’s Raleigh Expedition was a life-changing experience.

Ben shares his Raleigh story!

On Joining a Raleigh Expedition

“The main inspiration was that I wasn’t in a great place when I found out about Raleigh. I was in a dead-end job, my mental and physical health wasn’t great, and I was just looking for something to get me out of the house and help me reset. I happened to be reading the Sunday Telegraph, and there was a list of the top 10 things for young people to do. Raleigh was on that list, and I thought, ‘I just need an opportunity to get out and find something new, so why not give it a go?’”

Taking Part in All Three Expedition Phases 

“I did the environment project,  community project, and then trek. For the Environment Phase, we focused on bush encroachment. I was also removing invasive species, clearing up the roadsides and taking soil samples near a mine to monitor any impact on the area.  

During the Community Phase, we worked to build a kitchen near the camp, painting buildings, and helping the community become more self-sufficient by creating vegetable patches.  

Finally, for trek, we covered around 200 kilometres through the Drakensberg Mountains. It was really tough but it was worth it.” 

Gaining my Confidence Through Expedition 

“What I have treasured most from doing Raleigh is getting my confidence back. As I said, I wasn’t in a good place before Raleigh, but by the time I got back, I felt pushed out of my comfort zone in a way that helped me regain confidence and move forward in life. We had a mantra from the community phase onwards, “Good Vibes Only,” and that stuck with me and was one of the reasons I got my confidence back.” 

Re-igniting My Passion for Radio  

“Raleigh reignited my passion for radio. I started doing radio in 2018 during university, but I fell out of it when I left. While on Expedition, I got involved with Raleigh Radio and reported back to Basecamp. It reminded me how much I love doing radio, writing, and presenting. Since returning, I’ve started volunteering at a local hospital radio station to get experience, and I’m applying for any radio jobs I can find. Raleigh gave me the confidence to pursue it again.” 

The Best Thing About Raleigh 

“The people you meet. I really thought that I wasn’t up for Raleigh when I first joined but I ended up smashing it because of the help of both the Venturer Managers and my fellow Venturers. They really help me find my feet. I’ve been on record saying that the trek was the toughest I’ve ever done but they were there to help me get through it. I found it difficult to integrate socially, but the people there helped me push through, and that’s a big reason why I regained my confidence.” 

To Someone Considering Going on a Raleigh Expedition? 

“You’re making a great decision even considering it. I was in a really bad place before Raleigh, and it gave me my confidence back. If it can work for me, there’s no reason it can’t do the same for someone else. Whether you’re going for three, seven, or ten weeks, the friendships you make, the impact you have on people and the environment, it’s magical.”