Gap years: some top tips from a travelling enthusiast on the what and how

Whilst now I can say I whole-heartedly agree with these two statements, at the time I remember feeling, well, a little afraid to be honest.

So, if like me, you’re apprehensive about going travelling, whether it be for 1 month or 6, don’t feel like you’re an anomaly. I’ve now been lucky enough to travel multiple times, both after school and in uni holidays, and so feel qualified to give some top tips on the ‘dos and don’ts’.

One thing many people feel apprehensive about before going is, quite understandably, where to stay. When I was 18, I’d never stepped foot in a hostel before, and the idea of sharing a dorm with random people was, quite frankly, terrifying. However, as soon as you’ve done it once, you’ll realise that there’s really nothing to fear, and hostels have always seemed to me a safe space.

Not only are you surrounded by other like-minded travellers, usually ranging from late teens to late twenties, but there is always someone around you can ask for help. Many hostels have their own travel agencies on site, allow all-night check in, and have their own safety measures in place. Additionally, (and perhaps most importantly!) almost every hostel I’ve stayed in has a rota of activities, ranging from beer pong competitions to cooking classes, meaning that if you’re travelling in a small group or by yourself it’s super easy to meet people. This summer, I travelled to Peru with a friend, and one of my top tips for meeting people is just to put yourself out there. Many hostels include free breakfast in their rates, in this is another great place to meet people- there’s never any harm in asking another traveller far away from home if they want to join you on your day’s activities, and most people will be delighted to make some new friends.