Gap year first thoughts
Thursday 9 February 2006
If you're thinking of broadening your horizons and going travelling for your gap year, there's more to think about than just buying your tickets and getting your passport sorted.
Here's our guide to making sure you know what you're letting yourself in for.
Where?
If you're heading off on your travels, the one major thing you need to work out is where you're going.
Type of trip
Are you looking for nonstop sunshine? Perhaps you fancy a more civilised year away, staying in the city and sampling some lovely hotels.
What about roughing it and trying to discover places that not many backpackers have visited before you?
Itineraries
Some travel agents or online travel companies have pre-organised itineraries for people who haven't gone travelling before. They may look rigid, but needn't restrict you too much.
Most itineraries come with the option of changing your flights for a small fee, just in case you like one of your destinations more than you thought you would.
When?
Because you'll be travelling across the globe, it's worth having a think about the timing of your trip.
Events
Are there certain events happening somewhere where you'd love to be? Any particular time of year you need to avoid your chosen country?
Weather
If you don't want to get stuck in rainy season in Indonesia, or the middle of a long, hot summer in Australia, make sure you do plenty of research on your destinations before you book, and try and plan your trip so that you're getting the experience you want.
Who?
Choosing who to go with can also be pretty difficult.
No solo
Although some people like to go travelling on their own, for your first time it might be best if you go with at least one other person. That way, you can look out for each other.
Getting along
As you travel together, you'll truly get to know your companion, so be prepared for your fair share of petty arguments.
If you and your companion have a rocky relationship at home, this might be magnified once you get going, so if you're not sure you can handle being stuck with this person, don't do it.
How?
As lovely as it would be to get to see the world for free, you'll need to think about how you're going to fund your travels.
Save
If you're already thinking about your gap year, then the chances are that you're already saving, but you need to make sure that you've got sufficient funds to cover your back in case of an emergency.
Work
If you're planning to work while you travel, in some countries you might need a special kind of visa that permits you to do so. Our related links can help you find out more about this.
How long?
As well as thinking about who to go with and where you're going, you should think about the length of time you want to be away.
Get back
Are there family events that you might need to be back for? Will you want to come back and spend Christmas or New Year in the UK? When does uni start?
It's a date
Knowing exactly how long you'll be away for makes it easier for you to budget for your trip and can give you a date to aim for if things get tough.
The comeback
It might seem a long way off, but you might want to start thinking about what happens when you get back to the UK. Have you got a job to come back to? Will you have enough money to live on once you're back? Will you have a place to stay?
Don't just leave things to chance; make sure that you've got a plan in place that will make your return a bit easier and less stressful.
Tell me more
Take a look at the related links for more help and advice.
