Staying Safe on Your Gap Year
Gap year safety is understandably a topic of much concern. There are many things that can happen when you travel if you’re not careful, and the situation becomes much more difficult to handle when you’re not at home.
Many people actually take more risks when they travel than they do at home, where it’s generally safer and the consequences aren’t as dire.
While part of the risk is travelling to more dangerous places, another part is being a western traveller to the developing world. Often you’re just as likely to run into trouble at home, but at least at home you know how to handle it and have a support system.
Most people don’t ever get robbed when they travel, and tourist attacks are rare (though they get a lot of publicity). Still, it’s a fear that grips us all, especially when your gap year is your first big adventure. Read on for a few tips to make sure you stay safe on your gap year.
- Know before you go
I can’t say it enough. Knowing the customs will save you from misinterpretations and negative attention, and if you know the dangerous places in an area then you can avoid them. - Follow the cultural norms
For example, wearing revealing clothing (even though it’s really hot near the Equator) is usually not a good idea. Besides being offensive, showing that much skin is bound to give you unwanted attention. - Be on guard
Always be aware of where you are and what is going on around you. Don’t get too worked up about it, but don’t be too careless either. - Walk with purpose
One of the simplest tricks to avoiding trouble is to look confident and pretend like you know where you’re going. You might be lost and scared, but no one else has to know that you’re vulnerable. - Use the buddy system
Especially in dangerous areas, especially at night, and especially if you’re a woman. - Always watch your stuff
Keep an eye on your belongings at all times, even if you have to take your backpack with you to the toilets. When you’re in crowded areas, swing your bag around your front and keep a firm grip on it. - Lock up
If you’re staying in a hostel, make sure you keep your backpack in a locker and don’t leave your valuables lying around. Give your passport and other valuables to the front desk to put in the safe. - Don’t advertise your valuables
Walking around in one of the world’s poorest countries listening to your iPod and flaunting your expensive digital camera only makes you a target for crime. Be subtle, or consider leaving your gadgets at home. - Avoid walking at night
If you’re out at night, try to take a taxi or public transport home, and try to stay with a friend. If you must walk, keep to well lit and fairly busy streets. - Keep in touch
Let your friends and family know where you are. Give them a copy of your itinerary and keep them up to date. Also call or write home frequently just to let them know that you’re ok. - Emergency contacts
Give your family whatever contact information you can and also keep a list of your emergency contacts and important information. This should include things like your insurance information, your embassy and the phone number for your bank or credit card company. - Separate your money
Don’t carry more than you need to at any given time, and keep the rest locked up at home or in the hostel safe. You only need to take one credit card with you at a time, and hardly every day. When you do have to take everything at once, spread your money out among several pockets so that if someone steals it, you don’t lose everything and you can still get home. - Know the lingo
Knowing the local language is always helpful, but for your safety, key words like help and thief will be very useful in an emergency. - Make copies
Make copies of all your important documents (passport, visa, insurance...) and keep them separated from the original. Also leave a copy of your passport at home, just in case. - Don’t drink too much
Being intoxicated makes you vulnerable and less able to protect yourself. You’ll be an easier target for robbery, sexual assault or just getting lost or losing your stuff. Excessive drinking in a foreign country is never a good idea- often you don’t know where you are, how to communicate or what’s socially acceptable. - Be careful who you trust
A really unfortunate fact of travel (and life) is that you can’t trust everyone you meet. Even if you meet someone that seems like the nicest person in the world, still exercise caution before leaving them to guard your valuables. - Use common sense
Don’t go home with strangers, don’t get in the car with a drunk driver… You know the risks- just because you’re not at home doesn’t mean you should abandon your common sense. In fact, you should be more careful when you’re abroad. - Gap year safety courses
If you want to get even more prepared for your gap year, or just calm your nerves (or your parents’), there are numerous courses to prepare you for your travels. Gap year safety courses can be done in as little as a day, or even online, and teach you everything you need to know about health and safety in all aspects of your gap year.
Don’t get too worried about running into trouble on your gap year. Most people never have any problems when they travel. But being prepared and taking small precautions will help you to prevent any mishaps.
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