Gap year/travelling help?

Question

i am 18, in a dead end job and basically just want to get away for a year or so to travel various other countries, get my self some work out there and just go for the experience and the good time. i dont really know how much this would cost, and dont really know the first thing about how to go about it. would anyone advise getting a loan out to do this or is that just stupid?! if anyone has got any advice/help or think theres something i should first know abut what ill be needing etc i would be very grateful to let me know. i am planning on going in the next couple of months/asap.

many thanks...

X

Answer 1

Hmm I would hesitate to recommend that anybody start off in debt. My suggestion would be to make it a working vacation.

There are many options out there. If you want to go legit there are companies who can help you work abroad such as Bunac and others. Some companies can set you up with picking apples in New Zealand, teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) in China, Sheering sheep in Chile, the list goes on. At 18 you should have a pretty easy time getting a work visa for many countries. You'll of course need a passport. Inquire at the post office about passports. To avoid 3rd parties you can inquire about visas online with official government websites or go to their local embassies.

If you're ok flying under the radar, you can get in many countries with only a Passport (without a visa) and take a temporary cash job until you move on. Either way you'll need a passport to get back in the U.S.

As far as accommodation, hosteling is the way to go! Hostels are cheap (Sin City Hostel here in Vegas is $19/night). Plus you will meet many other travelers, each with a story and advice. If someone may be going in your direction for a while you can travel together and share expenses. Also many hostels will give a free night in exchange for work (cleaning, housekeeping, etc.). For even cheaper (free) accommodation check out Globalfreeloaders with a dot com. Just don't abuse the hospitality available (i.e. overstay your welcome) and reciprocate whenever you can.

Definitely bring a sleeping bag and don't be opposed to sleeping outside. Throw good karma out there and it will come back to you.

Oh and depending where you are going, proof of vaccinations may be mandatory to get in the country. Hit the library or web for Lonely Planet. These books have all of the must know info (shots, crime areas, treatment of women, etc.) Most countries have libraries and internet cafes. Still it's not a bad idea to take a laptop with WiFi capabilities. There are plenty of free hot spots out there.

There are also great opportunities to work in some cool National Parks like Yosemite, Denali, Grand Canyon, etc. Also cruise ship jobs are an option. With these kind of options you can work your butt off for six months with very minimal cost of living ($28/week rent in Yosemite) but it should give you the money to travel for the next six. Just make sure you take a cash tipping job.

Sorry for the lengthy response. I get carried away talking about traveling :) Hope this helps. Above all ENJOY YOUR TRAVELS!!!

Answer 2

I was just going to say pretty much the same as the first bloke did....when I realised that's my husband ha ha!!! How wierd!!!

Yeah, get to trailfinders and you can pick a bunch of countries for about 1k. Get a loan or put it on a credit card (ooops maybe I shouldn't say that!! We saved up a few grand but still ended up putting quite a bit on the card towards the end)

If you go to Auz (WA - Perth way) you can do fruit picking to earn money. Some people there were working for 6 months straight, to pay for the next 6 months travelling. It's hard work, but if your willing to do it then its a great idea and you'll have the best time ever! Plus, you wont have as much debt to pay off when you get home - bonus!

Answer 3

It cost us around £1000 for flights and that included Australia, Fiji, Bali, Thailand and a couple of other places. We work in Auz for a few months doing fruit picking to save up more money.

Answer 4

from my personal experience

I would save the cash before you go, take some in travellers cheques (American) and use your bank debit card as well for some

set a goal to save so much and try to put a limit on how long it will take you to save it so u have the stamina to do it.

Lonely Planet is a must.

If you know where u are going prior to leaving buy 1 for that country

Lonely Planet's  are pretty much available in any of the countries u will probably go to so u can also buy them along the way, but it is nice to have them prior to entering your destination country unless because they help u save money on transportation from the airport, bus station, train station and also they help u locate a reasonable priced accommodation for the first couple nights until u have time to look around & find something else

how exciting to go for the 1st time  

u r in for a real treat!