|
|
| Gapping Tips |
So are you freshly out of high school? Or doing your ‘A’ levesl. Young people with rosy dreams, you are full of vim vigor and vitality, bubbling with energy, enough to conquer the world! The rigorous routine of18 years or more, is far behind you now, and the road of life stretches ahead bright and sunny.
Are you planning to enroll yourself in university course, and work towards a graduate degree? Or do you wish to see the world and get high on life before going back to academics? Not a bad idea actually, considering that there is so much to do, so many things to enjoy, experience and learn…
Want to find out more?
The period of transition between high school and a degree course is generally termed as gap year.
Looking back, records show that “Gap Year” had its origins in Europe during the 1990’s. It actually began when the most reputed of British
Universities made it mandatory for students to take entrance exams in the fall, which implied the students would be able to join the new session sometime during the forthcoming year. The result was that students had quite a few months free on their hands, while they waited for classes to begin. Consequently many of the prospective students tried to make the most of their free time by traveling around the world, working as volunteers for a noble, humanitarian cause, or even taking up full or part time job assignments.
During this period, you can do a lot of things, right from doing some useful course abroad, undertaking a full or part-time assignment, hone your skills, take part in conservation, join HIV/AIDS campaigns or other kind of social work as a volunteer.
At this critical period, parents must guide their kids and convince them that this time is not meant for wasting away on trifles .On the contrary they must focus on certain issues which will pay them rich dividends in later life.
Before you gear up for enjoying a gap year, there are certain modalities which need to be worked out to make your undertaking successful.
Travel & safety tips | Destination advice | Personal belongings | In-country transport | Emergencies
Travel& safety tips
- You must travel in two’s threesomes or small groups as far as possible
- Under no circumstances must you hitch-hike or accept lifts, unless of course the person/ persons is well-known to you. Or else you are in a group with your co-patriots
- Do not pass through dimly-lit streets, lanes and alleys after dark
- You must not discuss any kind of financial matter with strangers
- Never try out any kind of unknown food or drink. If someone offers you such a drink or eatable, check out how it is being prepared. Also make sure that your companion or host also consumes it. If he/she does not then assume that something is fishy; so avoid it. Even otherwise do not leave your food or drink unattended
- Never carry unopened parcels / bags for people, especially when you are flying from one country to another
- Don’t swim in strong currents or where the seawaters are rough and choppy. Always keep a lifebuoy handy
- Check out the fire/emergency exits in hostels, rest houses and lodges where you plan to stay. Before retiring for the night check that the doors and windows are safely locked to keep out intruders
- Remember to leave the windows open incase you happen to be staying in room with a heater or any other source of carbon monoxide. This in order to let the toxic, lethal gases escape in case the gadget starts to malfunction
- Always carry your passport on your person. Never put it in your handbag or a rucksack. In case you do not wish to carry it along, deposit it in a safe deposit locker in your hotel
Destination advice
Read in depth about each town, city or country you plan or want to visit.There are encyclopedia and travel books available in plenty which you need to study in detail. You could also watch some programs on the telly. Talk to people you know, who are familiar with all or most of these places.
Personal belongings
- Your passport along with a few photocopies
- Your birth certificate besides some photocopies
- Medical kit – it must include everything from Aspirin, painkillers, antidote for diarrhea and animal venom, cough lozenges, to throat sprays, balm, chlorine tablets for purifying water, to sticking plaster, cotton and gauge for bandaging, all types of ointments and drops, eau de cologne, sunscreen, antiseptic liquid, anti-mosquito cream, anti-malarial tablets, Boric powder, your special medication and prescriptions for replenishing the stocks
- Toiletries
- Towels that are easy to dry
- An extra set off eye glasses/ spectacles/ or contact lenses, preferably unbreakable
- Money/travelers' checks
- A camera with spare parts and accessories. The nearest store could be miles away from where you are?
- A note book or two, pens and pencils
- A strong and powerful electric torch with extra batteries. Again the nearest store might not be that accessible
- One mosquito net per head
- So far as the clothes go, go in for stuff that would last you for months. The clothes should not need frequent washing, should be wrinkle-free and wearable without ironing. They should be comfortable, flexible without exposing your body parts, minus all the frills and fuss ribbons, bows. sashes, laces, sequins etc.
- More importantly, the clothes you carry , must be suitable to the climatic conditions of the countries you are visiting. Alongside you must take care of the footwear: boots, strappy sandals, stilettos and all kinds of dainty stuff is out. Go for something that is durable, rough and tough yet comfortable and lets your feet breathe comfortably.
- For women, sarongs and shawls are every useful. They're multi-purpose and can double up from bed sheets to blankets to beach mats and more. They can be folded into a tiny size for easy carrying during transit. While abroad you must carefully consider are local religious and social customs.
- Remember the old saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans do..,” That still holds good, I guess.
- So, if you dress suitably, you will be able to avoid offending people or drawing unwelcome attention to yourself.
- In certain cities and towns foreigners especially women are often asked to cover their heads while entering places of worship, sacred shrines etc. Therefore carry stoles / long scarves if you have them can; or else procure a couple Indian-style dupattas which have manifold utility. Covering yourself and acting mo modest, could win you appreciation from the locals, make people friendly and lastly protect you from insects and vermin!
In-country transport
Before you venture out be sure that you will be able to cope with all kinds of transport in various countries : so you might need to ride the rickshaw in Japan and India, some areas of South Africa (they also have something similar in Singapore known as Trishaw), rickety,overpopulated buses in India, Burma, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, to name a few; try the crude country boats (oar driven) in India, Bangladesh,Thailand , not forgetting parts of Africa. The bullock cart still exist in the deep inreriors of India, horse-driven Tongas ply in old cities of India; then there is the Phat phat ( an improvised 6-seater motor cycle carriage) and its counterpart Tuk tuk in Thailand. If you are planning to visit mountainous regions as part of ecotourism, you had better get used to the idea of riding up the moutainsides,along briddle paths, on donkeys,ponies and mules or even cloth panniers,carried up by sturdy men! Sounds exciting, does it ? Anyways,wherever possible, try hiring a sturdy bicycle or motorbike for traveling .
Emergencies
Wherever you go please keep the important names and addresses handy the nearest consulate / embassy of your counry, some travel agent who also operates/ has branch office or franchisee in your country/ state /city, the narest police station, fully-functional ISD kiosks, post offices/telegraph offices, where you could contact /send messages to your own people or friends and acquaintances,the nearest fully equipped hospital or medical care center. |
| |
|
