Taking a Year Out

Age: 19

College or University:
I am studying Tourism with Languages (Spanish) at University of Wales, Bangor.

Why a gap:
I needed a break from studying so I decided to take a gap year and go to South America. I had 3 weeks learning Spanish in Ecuador, 1 month voluntary conservation work in the cloudforest there, and 2 months travelling.

Good experience:
I've learnt to be independent, but dealing with my own money wasn't so easy. Travelling around with just a few people in a country you don't know is so exciting and just not knowing what you’re going to do next.

Best time:
Waking up after spending a night in a tent, and unzipping the fly sheet to see the sunrise above the Amazon rainforest.

Worst time:
Being mugged. It's very common in South America, especially in the big cities - you've got to be so careful.

Oh and… all of us getting food poisoning at the same time and not having enough toilets!

Advice:
Think about what you really want to do on your year out and in what country. Look through gap brochures, then apply really early so you get a place where YOU want to go. Get a full medical and have all the jabs early. Check if you’re going to a malaria zone, and get a good first aid kit.