Be guided by your program provider. They will have all the latest information on common concerns and questions for your travel destination. While you are searching for just the right program and program provider, we have prepared some general answers to frequently asked questions to help you out.

1. Is it safe?

2. How expensive will it be?

7. What about Passports and Visas?

1. Is it safe?
Your provider will have lots of information about safety based on where you are going.
Keep in mind, less than 15% of Americans travel beyond the No. American continent
so the “unknown” often sounds like a bigger fear than it really is.

Bottom line, there is no way to be 100% safe anywhere. Pay attention to
State Department Travel Warnings. Also, consider structured programs if you will be
going to a country where solo travel is difficult. A lot about safety is common sense.
Rita Golden Gelman, founder of LGG, and author of The Female Nomad, is in her 70s
and has been traveling solo for 23 years, always staying in out of the way places
throughout the world.

2. How expensive will it be?
Part of this will depend on the program you choose and how long you are gone.
In general, there are several different types of programs:

•••••• Work programs are generally less inexpensive. Free room and board
•••••••in exchange for farm work or working in a park. You pay passport/visa,
•••••••air, health and travel insurance and incidentals.
•••••• Volunteer programs are the mid range. You pay for housing and food
•••••••(usually less than $1000/mo) plus passport/visa, air, health and travel
•••••••insurance and incidentals.
•••••• Fee Programs (study and adventure) can average anywhere from
••••••$3000 to $20,000 plus passport/visa, air, health and travel
•••••••insurance and incidentals. These programs usually have team leaders.

Example: A recent Gapper who taught in China in 2009 spent $320 for passport
and visa, $300 on immunizations and preventative meds, $1900 on air and ground
transportation, $90 on 3 overnight sleeper trains, and $35/day for room and board
staying in guesthouses/sharing hotel rooms.

3. How do I know if my provider is good?
Do your homework, read letters from returning Gappers, and be sure to ask for
names of people who have done your program. Ask a lot of questions. Find out as
much about the company as you can. If they have been around for a while, their
reputation will stand out. Always look for ways to verify what they tell you. We
do not personally know these providers so it is up to you to do the research.

International Volunteer Program Association (IVPA), an association of non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in international volunteer work and
internship exchanges has created a list of questions to ask when choosing a
volunteer program. In addition, their Volunteering Abroad drop-down has useful information for Gap Year travel.

4. What about health issues?
You want to do everything possible to make sure you are in good health when you
travel. Should something arise, your program representative may be able to help.
Many countries require and/or recommend getting immunized or procuring
medications for commonly occurring diseases. You may want to check with the
U.S. Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) for travel risk advisories,
in-country diseases, and necessary immunizations. Make sure you allow plenty of
time before departure to get your immunizations and any required medications.
The GapYear website has a great Travel Health section.

Under recent health care legislation, you may be covered under your parent’s health insurance, possibly until age 26; just make sure that it covers foreign travel. Otherwise, you may want a short term traveler’s policy. Your program provider may be able to help you. It would be a good idea if your parents kept an electronic and a hard copy of your insurance, so that it can be accessed readily should anything arise.

It can be beneficial to stick to drinking bottled water, even for brushing your teeth and rinsing your toothbrush. You may even want to close your mouth during showers. It doesn’t take much for our American systems to react to something new. If you can hold to it, allow no exceptions. Food that is not fully cooked can be dangerous in any country. A single grape in the wrong country can take a couple of days out of your adventure.

5. How should I handle money?
This depends on where you will be. Major airports can usually make currency exchanges. But some places are remote and not all banks can exchange U.S dollars. You may want to check with your provider about how much money you will need and what banking arrangements will be available at your destination. Many people recommend exchanging enough currency at the airport on your arrival to cover the first few days in a new county until you get the lay of the land.

It is recommended to contact all banks, debit card, and credit card companies that you will be using while you are traveling before you leave your home country. Credit card rates, debit card withdrawal charges, and even permission to use your cards can be changed or rescinded at any time.

Many places take American dollars but a new twist is that many countries (banks as well as small vendors) will no longer accept/exchange U.S. dollars unless they are perfectly clean and crisp…no dog ears or smudges.

6. How will I communicate with home?
Many areas have internet cafes. The reception might be spotty but patience has its reward. You can usually communicate through Hotmail, Yahoo, AOL, and Gmail. Most countries also sell phone cards so you can make local and long-distance calls.

Your family can sign up for a phone internet account for $10 worth of calling time and make calls to you at only a few cents a minute (one example is One Source). Be sure to consider Skype or a travel cell phone before leaving the U.S. Ask you program provider what other Gappers have found useful in your target destination.

7. What about Passports and Visas?
Each country has its own rules for travelers so check with your program provider and be aware of entry requirements, the length of stay allowed, and Visa requirements for each country you will visit. If you already have a passport, check to see that it will be valid for the entire time you plan to be away; some countries require that it be valid for 3-6 months after your trip, also. If you don’t have a passport or need to renew, allow plenty of time, especially if you are not near a major city and will need to mail in the application. If you need it in a hurry, there are a number of services that you can access on the internet that will charge a fee to expedite delivery (but not processing) for you.

Many countries also require a Visa, even if you are only passing through. Plan to have your passport available in enough time to include it with your Visa applications, if necessary. Again, your program provider will be able to give you guidance on all of this. Make copies of your passport, visa, travel itinerary, and gap program.