Preparing A Proper Gap Year (In Mind And Money)
20:37
Taking a trip
abroad to broaden the
sensors is one thing but when you are preparing a gap year it's not just about
finding a couple of places to go it's about making sure that you are prepared
in a personal and financial sense. Gap years can be one of the most
exhilarating experiences of your entire life just as long as you prepare
adequately. With this in mind, how can you prepare a proper gap year so that
you are able to get the most out of it?
The financial hurdles
Most importantly you
need a decent amount of money. They say that roughly for a year-long trip
around the world you'll need approximately £10,000. This can seem like a huge
amount but if you separate your savings and start to accumulate a little bit of
money every month and make a handful of sacrifices you will see the money build
up quickly. Conversely, if you are looking for a quick hit of money, there are
organisations like Buddy loans, direct guarantor loan lender
companies can, at the very least, top your finances off if you are struggling
to hit the golden number. But you must remember that you will have to make a
handful of sacrifices. Many people look at saving money as more than a
full-time job. When you start to think about the sacrifices you are making, it
can wear you down but it's all for a good reason!
Preparing your health
This is one of the
most important things to get right. If you are travelling to countries like
Asia or Africa you may need to get yourself vaccinated against certain
diseases. If your jabs are up to date you will still need to consult a doctor
to make sure that you have everything you need. Consult your local travel
clinic or check with your doctor to see if you need items like anti-malaria
tablets. As well as this, make sure that you are physically fit. This is
something that we can greatly underestimate, especially when we think we will
be getting plenty of outdoor exercise traversing mountains. But you don't want
to be missing out on great experiences because you are a bit tired and need a
lie-down. Use the 12 months prior to going as an opportunity to slowly build up
your fitness levels.
Getting your
documentation in order
Remember to make sure
that your passport and visas are all up to date. It's a good idea to apply for
them at least 3 months before travelling. This will make things easier if there
are any issues with postage. A lot of people leave their passport applications
until the last minute, and this can be incredibly stressful. As well as this,
think about your travel insurance. As boring as it sounds you need to make sure
that you are travelling with an adequate amount. Because there could be
unexpected medical expenses wherever you go. There's plenty of policies out
there to cover you but just make sure that you declare any pre-existing medical
conditions first.
Preparing yourself
mentally
When you have decided
where you want to go, you've got to make sure that you are ready. The best
thing you can do to prepare yourself is to get a good understanding of where
you want to go before heading off. There are plenty of Lonely Planet guides out there that can give you a
decent picture of your destination. It's important to remember that you will
only get so much of an impression of the place from a book. Ultimately, going
to another country is going to be a shock to the system if you've never
undergone a major travel expedition before. Think about what you can do to
prepare yourself, as well as your loved ones. It's incredibly exciting but in
many ways, you are operating without a safety net. But there are things that
you can do to give your family some peace of mind. You could use the Foreign
Office website to check
their travel recommendations so at the very least your family won't panic so
much because they heard bad stories about a certain place. But you have to make
sure that you get everything you can emotionally out of the experience.
Preparing yourself is
about asking yourself what you would like to learn from the experience but also
going in with an open mind will help you to learn. A proper gap isn't just
about an extended holiday it's about learning about the world so you can
discover lovely corners of the planet while also making sure that you learn
about yourself.
0 comments
I really appreciate the comments I get. Please leave your blog url so I can check out your blog :-)