Advance plan your gap year: where to go and what to buy
If you’ve decided to travel, find out about the countries you’re visiting. There are loads of guide books available – the Rough Guide and Lonely Planet series are designed with travellers in mind. These books are essential reading before you go and while you’re there. They usually give you background info, maps of the country and its cities, and contain lists of places to visit and cheap accommodation. You can also find information on the web – there are dozens of websites devoted to gap years. Check the Foreign Office’s website for a list of countries that are not safe to visit, and avoid them.
Shop ahead for your year out overseas
The sooner you have a rough idea of where you plan to be and at what time of year, the sooner you can start sales shopping for clothes bargains and hunting for good deals on any specialist kit you may need, such as ski or snowboarding gear. Think about climate – do you need to pack t-shirts, a raincoat, or a woolly jumper? You don’t have to wear the backpacker’s uniform of tie-dyed, wrinkled clothing, but make sure you take clothes that will be comfortable and hard-wearing.
- Find out more about planning your gap year travel itinerary
- Find out more about raising funds for your year out
Be culturally aware when you plan your gap year
Consider the cultural and religious values of your destination. Will you be able to wear vest tops, or do you need to invest in some lightweight long-sleeved shirts? Bear in mind that you are a guest in the country, and try to avoid offending people.
If you’re planning to visit religious buildings and sacred sites, find out about their customs. Before entering a mosque, you should remove your shoes to show respect. Women may be asked to cover their heads in mosques and temples, so take a scarf or shawl. If you’re wearing shorts or a short skirt, you may be refused entry to some cathedrals and churches.
Learning a foreign language for your gap year
Do you need to learn the language? Even if most locals know English, it’s often useful to know a few basic phrases (hello, goodbye, thank you). And if they don’t, make sure you know enough to get by. You could get a phrasebook and dig it out every time you want to speak, or you can learn the language at evening classes or from tapes. You can also pick up useful basics quickly from language podcasts – try Radio Lingua Network.
If you spend a long time in one place, you’ll pick up the language naturally, but it can help to know some words before you start. Knowing a foreign language may be a great asset when you return and look for a job.
- Find out more about how to market your gap year to employers
- Consider international travel and accommodation options for your year out
