“I learnt so much about medical care in the developing world and how lucky we really are. I saw things that I may never see in my entire career in medicine. Before I went to Uganda I doubted whether medicine was really what I wanted to do, by the time I got back I knew there was nothing else I’d rather do.”
Luke Horsley

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2. See the world
Go on get the atlas off the shelf, open up the page titled ëthe world' and look closer. Find a name that captures your imagination and Google it. 'Zanzibar' ñ I wonder what that's likeÖ

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3. Actually make a difference
You will hear lots about this. And that’s because if you approach your gap in the right way you can make sure the money and time you spend helps people who are unlikely ever to have the opportunity to do what you’re doing. Volunteer with gap jobs, even if it is only for 2 weeks and you don’t think it’s your thing. You’ll be surprised what you can give and how organizing a couple of football games can mean so much more than a kick about.

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4. The challenge thing
Spiders, heights, meeting new people, different foods… the list is long. Everyone fears something. There are plenty of people out there to help you face the challenges and when you finally reach the mountain top the rewards, even though you’ll have to take every gapper’s word for it, are awesome.

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5. Gain skills & qualifications
No one needs to tell you that these help when you get home; they’re also often the highlights of your time away. Dive master, teacher with TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), football coach, medical assistant, local journalist, public speaker, group leader, team cook, international ambassador…. it’s going to be a busy year.

“When you go out into the world everyone becomes a leader.”
Ed

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6. Fun & Freedom
You’ve cut the ties from home, you’re in a new environment, you have worked hard to be there. As long as you are responsible and respectful to the community and culture that you are in, then there is nothing to stop you having the time of your life. So get on that bike and ride into the sunset…

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7. Get to know yourself
With the hectic pace of life and the ‘instant’ culture we live in these days, there leaves very little time for genuine and important self-reflection. Sound cheesy? Well, taking yourself into different cultures, paces of life and seeing what others value as ‘important’ will help give you a new take on not only the world around you, but crucially yourself. Ok, a little bit cheesy – but also very true, otherwise we wouldn’t have said it.

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8. Infinitely improve your pub quiz knowledge
I mean do you know where Timbuktu is, let alone why it’s called Timbuktu? (OK I’ll tell you: A lady called ‘Bouctou’ was standing at a well, ‘Tom’, when the first Egyptian nomads with their salt and camels stumbled across the far end of the Sahara in Mali a couple of years ago – so there. No excuses now)


“Knowledge is power.”
Sir Francis Bacon (1561 - 1626)

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9. The world is shrinking
Round the World tickets are getting cheaper, more flexible and more varied by the year. It has never been cheaper to travel to places that for your parents were virtually impossible. So don’t you dare miss the chance. The alloy wheels can wait another year.

Book a flight today at statravel.co.uk but don’t forget to offset your CO2 omissions with a small donation to climatecare.org otherwise they’ll be no snow left to ski on!

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10. You’re a natural
If you are looking into projects overseas you are already interested in different cultures, societies and ways of living. The more open you are to new experiences, the more rewarding your time abroad will ultimately be. The spirit of cultural exchange also means that you are an ambassador for your country, a pioneer, so represent your home country with pride!

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0845 833 1992
or email:
team@madventurer.com