Tips for Gap Year Travellers

Life's a beach!

Every year thousands of young adults jet off for the trip of a lifetime, taking time out to explore the world and broaden their horizons.

Whether it's to get involved with a community project in Africa or laze on the pristine beaches of India’s south coast, well-planned trips can be inspirational for any young traveller. However, badly planned trips could end up causing more than a sore head.

So before you head off, make sure you take sound advice from your practice nurse, GP or travel clinic - and make sure you follow the advice! All too often, travellers become comfortable with their surroundings and forget all the advice they’ve been given – that’s when things can go wrong.

Staying healthy

Your health is one of the most important things to look after while you're away as it can make or break your trip. Being ill in a foreign country can be a misery, particularly in more remote areas where access to medical facilities is limited.

By travelling to more exotic locations, you are exposing yourself to health risks that rarely occur in the UK.

The best advice is to visit your healthcare professional ideally six to eight weeks before you travel. They will be able to provide you with up to date advice for the locations you’re visiting.

Malaria

Malaria is a disease that is prevalent in areas of Africa, South East Asia and South America and should be avoided at all costs. It's a horrible disease, but the good news is that it can be prevented by following your healthcare professionals advice and taking the necessary precautions – see before, during and after your travels for some top tips.

Click here to see real life case studies of gap year travellers who have been affected by malaria – Been There, Been Bitten

Of course, malaria is just one of many diseases that you need to avoid when you're travelling – download Jane Chiodini's travel tips to find out how can stay fit and healthy while you're away.

Like malaria, many of the most serious travel health risks are also preventable. So, plan wisely and prepare for happy and healthy travels!

(Looking for some inspiration? Why not download Simon Reeve’s mini travel guides?)

There are lots of websites that you can get more general gap year travel advice from – examples include www.gogapyear.com and www.gapyear.com.

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