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INSPIREGAP YEAR MAGAZINE

A GAP YEAR IN CAMBODIAIN THE EYES OF A VOLUNTEER

VOLUNTEERS BRINGING WATERTO KENYA : AN OVERVIEW

VOLUNTEERING IN SOUTH AFRICATHE PLANNING & PREPARATION

12 GAP YEAR MEDICAL CONDITIONS

FEMALE TRAVEL EXPERT

21 REASONS TO VISIT PERU

SEP 10

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MEET THE TEAM

In this, our 2nd issue of INSPIRE, we bring you more useful and interesting articles on various as aspects of a Gap Year.

Our female travel expert, Kristina, answers a number of questions from “eating alone” to “solo traveller tips at hostels”.

We have a number of great articles from past volunteers who have been to Cambodia, working with communities there and Kenya, working on Water Dam projects.

A point that is often forgotten by Gap Year travellers, is the need to prepare and be aware of certain medical conditions. Our contributor, Megan Smith, covers the basics you need to understand on the 12 most common conditions.

Megan has been busy as she also gives you 21 reasons why you should really consider a Gap Year in Peru.

Finally, Kristine writes about the planing and preparation for her up coming trip to South Africa where she will be volunteering at a Big Cat sanctuary.

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

WRITE FOR US!We are always on the look out for new, talented writers to work with. We offer the right person a great opportunity to gain some experience of writing about travel, along with some great exposure too.

All we ask is that you can write and have a passion for travel.

Email us with more information about yourself, inc your CV : info@iwishtravel.co.uk

Megan SmithFrom: Florida, USA

About: I believe in travel with purpose and cannot wait to see more of the world while experiencing as much as I can out of life. I am obsessed with coffee, fishing and my family.

Would Love To Volunteer In: Social Justice issues.

Kristine BoiseFrom: New Jersey, USA

Favourite Quote: "Make your choice, adventurous stranger,Strike the bell and bide the danger. Or wonder 'til it drives you mad. What would have followed if you had."

Next Trip: Volunteering in South Africa - “can’t wait!!!”

Rosie CornickFrom: England

Kristina WegscheiderFrom: San Jose, USAFemale Travel Expert

Kathryn DomingoFrom: England

Other Contributors

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CONTENTS

FEATURESMY GAP YEAR IN CAMBODIA 4 - 5

VOLUNTEERS AND WATER IN AFRICA 7

21 REASONS TO VISIT PERU 8 - 10

MY STORY

VOLUNTEERING IN SOUTH AFRICA 11 - 12

12 MEDICAL CONDITIONS YOU NEED

TO KNOW 13 - 15

REGULARSEDITORIAL 2

FEMALE TRAVEL EXPERT 6

“ASK OLLIE” - GAP YEAR ADVICE 15

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IN MY MIND

I had quietly wanted to ‘travel the world’ from a very young age having always loved the idea of new and different places and when A Level results came around and I did better than expected the idea of taking a year out before University was perfect. I was really interested in going to South East Asia, particularly Cambodia and Vietnam, as it seemed so culturally different from the UK that I would really get what I was looking for, namely a very different way of life for 6 months than I have ever been used to.

Part of the challenge for me was to be able to go away for an extended period of time and not do this trip in a piecemeal way, coming back home every couple of months before going away elsewhere, and as I was focusing on South East Asia, geographically and economically, this wouldn’t have made much sense anyway. Because of this I decided I wanted to do some volunteering; partly because I am the kind of person than can only ‘flit about’ for a certain amount of time before I get bored, but also because I wanted to take this opportunity to do something that I may not be able to do again. With no responsibilities or obligations at this point in

my life it made sense to dedicate some time to do some volunteering. This was where I hit the first hurdle in the planning stage of the gap year; the research. It is crucial to look at plenty of companies, asking them all sorts of questions about the details of the trips etc and not be lured in by the undoubtedly fantastic trip being promised by the first people you meet. In doing this I came across The Leap offering a stunning volunteer programme for 6-10 weeks in Cambodia, it proved a perfect match and I booked in to leave on the 10 week January 2009 placement. From there I could plan the rest of the trip which ended up in independently travelling in Vietnam, Laos and the south of Thailand as well as another volunteer placement in the north of Thailand.

CULTURE SHOCK

The culture shock from the UK to a country like Cambodia can be quite intense for some but I was immediately enchanted with the place and loved (almost) every minute of being there. The trip began in Siem Reap where we would work with an NGO called Trailblazers in the morning, helping them to set up water filtration systems and take them out to the local communities. This was somewhat monotonous work involving, believe

it or not, washing sand and stones from the bed of Tonle Sap to get rid of all the filth on them so they could act as part of the filter system. The afternoons were spent teaching in an orphanage in the town which was fantastic. At the weekends we could do what we wanted and, of course, visited the Angkor Wat Temples as well as the lakes and other attractions that Siem Reap had to offer.

We then went to the capital Phnom Penh where the most intense part of the trip took place. In the mornings we would work with monks in a pagoda to teach the local children from the surrounding slums and would also go into the community with the monks to visit the families who were suffering with AIDS and help them with their daily jobs in any way we could. At the risk of sounding contrived and condescending it was an experience that profoundly puts one’s own life and trivial worries into perspective and something that I make a point of reminding myself with often now that I am at home. We would go on to another school in the afternoon to do more teaching at another school. By this point we had decided that one of the more effective ways of teaching these children the alphabet was with phonetics which proved hilarious-a class of 30 shouting ‘a, b, c’ at you in the way we did when in nursery school.

MY GAP YEAR IN CAMBODIA

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From Phnom Penh it’s an easy journey to the beach at Sihanoukville so we spent a weekend there which I would highly recommend as well as the museums regarding the rule of the Khmer Rouge in the country, namely the Killing Fields and Toul Sleng prison. They are shocking places but it’s important to go so as to appreciate the intense and gruelling past of the country and its extraordinary people. We moved on to a tiny town called Oudong where we built a well and then returned to Siem Reap.

For the final 4 weeks in Siem Reap we worked in one of the communities in the Angkor Wat complex, helping them with anything that needed to be done, during which we rebuilt the walls of a lady’s paddy field (I have never sweated so much in my life!) as well as rebuilding the palm walls of her house, all of which needed doing before the rainy season which was only a few weeks away and being a widow with 6 young children, it was an impossible task for her to embark on alone. In the afternoons we were teaching English to tuk-tuk drivers which was an interesting change from the kind of teaching we’d been doing before! A very satisfying moment came when walking down the street and I heard one of the drivers using a phrase I had taught them in class when addressing a western couple! It is very important when on these placements, particularly if you’re in one place for an extended period of time, that you don’t become too relaxed about safety. I learned this the hard way when lack of concentration on my part led to an unpleasant experience involving a drink that was tampered with and resulting in all my belongings being stolen. I don’t want to scaremonger in any way but it is something that you should always be aware of, no matter how charming another traveller may be!

Following a sad goodbye to Cambodia my friend and I left to travel from Ho Chi Minh City in the south of Vietnam to Hanoi. We bought a bus ticket with all our stops on and worked our way up the coast, stopping in some fantastic places. I particularly loved Hoi An, the tailoring town where I had some clothes made that I still wear now! Likewise the mountain region of Sapa was fantastic and we did a great homestay trek there with a wonderful and friendly guide. We then spent a couple of weeks in Laos. Shamefully we only spent about 2 weeks there so went tubing for a bit in Vang Vieng and then moved over to the north of Thailand to start this second, and

much less successful, volunteering programme with another Gap Year company. We worked our way down through Thailand, spending a decent amount of time in Chiang Mai, which is a fantastic place to visit and another area where you can do all kinds of trekking, on foot and on elephants and has a generally fantastic atmosphere. We went down to the islands on a series of fairly gruelling overnight bus journeys where we partied away the full moon on Ko Phangan and visited the island where ‘The Beach’ was filmed off Koh Phi Phi. We also went to another island called Koh Lanta which proved a great detox from the craziness of the month preceding it and a nice place to relax in the final week before returning to the UK. There were some fantastic things you could do on most of the islands if you chose to. We did a couple of boat trips taking you to smaller islands and swam and snorkelled in deserted lagoons, I found myself struggling to believe that places this beautiful could exist on the same plant as somewhere like Slough Trading Estate! We headed up to Bangkok and spent a couple of days rinsing what remained of our money on all the great fake bags and wallets etc before heading home to finally be reunited with the family, something I was definitely ready for after 6 months away!

OVERALL

Overall I had the most amazing time of my life, and achieved my goal of seeing and involving myself in new things that were entirely different from what I was used to. Above all the volunteering in Cambodia stands out for me as the single most profound experience of my whole life. As mentioned before it has stayed with me in more ways than one. Not just in the form of a bank of fantastic memories but also in the way that I conduct myself in general life, I would say I am far more relaxed as a person, not letting myself get stressed or upset about the small things. As a whole though, travelling teaches anyone a great independence and capability of handling things you never thought you would be able to do alone, from difficult border crossings and visa confusions to theft and illness that you never thought you could cope with without mum! If you are reading this in an attempt to decide whether or not to go travelling, whether for one month or eight-DO IT! You won’t regret it and will never forget it for as long as you live!

Rosie volunteered in Cambodia with THE LEAP

[6]© Leslie Wagner

KRISTINAYOUR FEMALE TRAVEL EXPERT

One of the most common things I hear from young women who want to travel but have not is “I have no one to go with.” This, in my opinion, is no excuse for postponing your plans. Instead, I see it as an opportunity to have an adventure, make new friends and meet new people. While it is a little daunting at first, it is actually one of the coolest things you can experience in your life.

I found myself in this boat soon after college. I graduated a year early and, thus, many of my friends were still in school or just starting jobs as I was starting to get the travel bug. After putting together many itineraries and getting interest, but no commitment, from many people, I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands. And, lucky for me, that opportunity literally fell into my lap when I won a trip to Antarctica…for one person. I spent ten days aboard a boat crossing the Drake Passage and cruising the Antarctic Peninsula. I won’t lie; there were lonely moments like when I was vomiting for nearly two days straight from the rough seas. But, there were

amazingly awesome moments too like when I spent a few hours of our excursion to mainland sitting on a rock waiting for penguins to approach me. Sitting there in silence and not worrying about anyone else was free and really helped me enjoy the moment.

That was only the start of my solo travel journey. New Zealand, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Kenya, Tanzania, China, India, Nepal, Russia, Finland, Estonia, Sweden, Tunisia, France and Jordan have since followed. While there have been brief moments when I was scared, bored or lonely, the number of positive experiences outweighs it significantly. I loved when I gazed at Machu Picchu for the first time and explored the ruins at my own pace; I seized the opportunity to scuba dive in Tanzania with new friends; and I am thankful for the people that I have met from all over the world along the way who I keep in touch with today.

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK PAGE

TWITTER

I am going to have a week in Paris on my own before my study abroad program starts. Will it be awkward for me to eat alone? –Emma, Australia

Absolutely not! Dining solo is actually quite a common practice. Instead of getting take-away and holing up in your room, find a sidewalk café or bistro, grab a book and find yourself a table with prime people watching! While it may seem strange at first, use it as an opportunity to really enjoy your food and the ambiance of the restaurant. If you start feeling strange, you can always read a few chapters while you are waiting for your food or sipping a latte. Another idea is eating in the bar area of the restaurant which typically has smaller tables and quicker service. And if takeaway food is at the top of your list, why not gather a basket and have an impromptu picnic at a picturesque point of the city. If you’ll be in Paris, there will be no shortage of those!

I want to go on my first solo trip abroad but am concerned about staying in a hotel or hostel alone. What tips do you have? –Kelsey, USA

Whether I am staying at a hotel in US or abroad, I follow the same rules to ensure my safety. First and foremost, I always ensure check-in is done discreetly. If my room number is announced loudly in the lobby, I will ask the front desk staff to please re-assign my room in case other guests were in ear shot. Once I am in my room, I always use the deadbolt and any and all locks. If someone does knock, I ask who it is before opening the door and will sometimes even call down

the front desk to verify if someone was indeed sent up. In some cases, I have had a fruit basket sent up from the hotel management because I am a member of their loyalty program but, since I was caught off guard and had not ordered anything, I verified that it was legit first.

I have heard that you can often negotiate with merchants for activities when you have a few people. The problem is that I am traveling solo for two months. How can I take advantage of these deals? -Teresa, Canada

When traveling alone, it can be tough to get deals since you are just one person. But, with a little strategy, you can be negotiating for your snorkeling trip in no time. If you are staying at a hostel or smaller hotel, consider asking the hotel manager if you can post something in the lobby seeing if others are interested in the same trip. Have interested parties reply to you securely (consider listing your email or a time to meet for people who are interested versus writing your room number). Another trick I have used is going on a city tour on my first day or two in the city. I am able to get my bearings for the new place and also meet other tourists who are often in the same boat of just arriving. Chat them up and if you find people with common interests, ask if they have plans for the rest of the week and if they would like to look at doing an activity with you. And, a little word of advice: If you already have the info on the activity (approximate price, duration, meeting place, what is included), you will be able to recruit people much easier!

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More than four fifths of the population in sub-Saharan Africa has no access to safe water.  In Kenya alone, this is 16.8 million people.  Every day, a large number of children are missing school because of water-borne diseases or simply because they have to spend hours walking to collect the daily supply of water needed to support their families.  Water is also, unsurprisingly, the vital ingredient in successful agriculture, which helps provide both food to eat and a livelihood for most rural Kenyan families. Quest Overseas works with rural communities in Kenya, supporting farmers to organise themselves into self-help groups, and improving soil and water conservation and farming techniques.  One of the main activities of the self-help groups is the construction of sand dams.  This is where volunteers can provide significant support and funds to provide these safe water sources. Sand dams are built across dry stream beds in order to force water underground when it rains. Over time, water deposits sand behind the dams, this in turn stores a large volume of water and prevents evaporation. Water is then drawn from shallow wells and crops are planted nearby, which flourish due to a plentiful supply of groundwater. Soil beside the dams is terraced and grass and trees are planted to retain more moisture.  While sand dams cannot make the rains come on time, when it does rain, they ensure that none of the water goes to waste! Building a sand dam requires a lot of manpower, the majority of which is provided by men, women and children from the local villages who are prepared to donate their time and effort for free because they can see the long term benefit of the new dams. However, the women also cook and clean for their families and the children have school. Volunteers are needed to lend a hand to fill in the gaps! The work is hard but in the carnival-like atmosphere, the work is punctuated with much singing and laughter as the structure takes shape. Volunteers help continues to work hard to assist this worthwhile project with an extra injection of manpower, enthusiasm and much needed funds. The 2010 summer team was made up of fifteen volunteers and two leaders, one of which was Kathryn Domingo, “For me, volunteering was more than simply a CV booster. Whilst I have heard that employers do rate volunteers very highly in the work place, I was more interested in how such experiences would help my personal development. Although I had several work experience opportunities this summer, I felt that a Water Relief Project in Kenya would bring me skills that I wouldn’t have been able to develop with any organisation back in the UK.  As a second year student at the University of Birmingham, I was fortunate enough to get sponsorship from their ‘The Honey Pot Award’ – a scheme aimed to help students take advantage of personal development enhancing work experience opportunities during the summer break. Following an application and a presentation, I was awarded £800 towards my project. I recommend any prospective volunteers look around and see what awards are available – it helps if you can demonstrate how your project is allied to your degree and future career path. For example this project fits

well with my degree in Environmental Sciences. However, even if there is no direct link between your academic studies and your volunteering, it’s still a fantastic experience in terms of personal development. People with passion and enthusiasm should have no problems making the most what is on offer. You are only ever able to get a true sense of a place when you live and work with the people there. I have had the privilege of working with community groups here in the Ukambani region of Kenya in the construction of sand dams, which provide cost effective and sustainable water relief for the communities that live with the arid region. We’ve had unparalleled access to communities – working side by side on the dam site and sharing staple Kenyan food like Githeri (tough Maize corns, but not too bad when you get used to it!) We were even given the opportunity for a home-stay, where we stayed with some of the members of the rural community where we were working; helping them with their various domestic tasks, like fetching water and milking goats. To gain a genuine snapshot into their everyday lives would have been very difficult if I were simply backpacking, and it has been a real eye-opener. This experience has also helped remove all of the negative imagery

traditionally associated with the developing world, which has been fuelled by portrayals in the media. The community groups

we’ve been working with have not simply been waiting for NGOs and volunteer groups to bring changes within their community – they are creating the changes themselves, by motivating individuals to come out and give their labour for free. By volunteering their time, community members not only gain a sense of ownership of the various projects happening in their neighbourhood, but

also have to opportunity to work along skilled engineers and builders, learning skills along the way.

 This experience has been fantastic, and I’ve enjoyed every

moment. I’m also happy that the experience has placed me with likeminded people with mutual aims and ambitions – and we’ve had some fun adventures along the way.

Kathryn volunteered with Quest Overseas

SAFE WATER IN AFRICAWHY VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED

“I feel like I’ve made

some lifelong friends.”

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21 REASONS TO VISIT PERU

Adventure

Peru offers digs, hiking, camping and exploration all throughout the country. Stepping out of the city, you are sure to see insight into all kinds of nature, from beach to desert.

Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu. Hikes can last anywhere from 2 to

5 days, allowing one to take in as much of the nature and Incan ruins

while making your way to the sight of Machu Pichu itself. The UNESCO

site is located 2,000 meters above water on the Andean slopes and used

to house the late urban Incan empire. Permits are required and as such

overall numbers on the trail are limited.

Lake Titicaca is believed to be the birthplace of the Incan emperor and

its’ first king. Manco Capac . Although the water cannot be swum in,

tour boats can be taken to navigate the “highest navigable lake in the

world” at 12,500 feet above sea level and also explore some of the 41

Islands in the lake such as the popular manmade Uros islands.

The Amazon can be found in 8 countries around South America, with

Peru being one of them. An ecological hot spot, there are 14,000 species

of animals residing in the area as well as over 4,000 species of trees. A

variety of river cruises and explorations are offered.

Shop at the Pisac Market, a Peruvian Village renowned for its tourist

friendly market open every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. In close

proximity to Cuzco as well, the city of Pisac also holds Incan ruins as

well.

Mountain climb El Misti Volcano near Arequipa, where the peak is

always snow-capped. Elevating at over 19,000 feet, the volcano offers

hiking and camping routes that although strenuous, offer gorgeous views

and can be completed in 2 days.

An archaeological haven, filled with beaches and cosmopolitan cities. This is Peru, a collision of the past, present and the future. This South American city is a popular tourist destination where great food and new age cities share links to the past and your next quest is only a step away.

getye1 sxc.hu

BY MEGAN SMITH

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Additional Activities

Surf in Chicama & Pacasmayo offer long, left

handed rides off coastal Peru.

Visit Nazca civilization, known for its

archaeology and located in southern Peru.

The civilization lasted from 1-8 A.D.

See Colca Canyon, a part of the Colca River

and known for the Chivay Natural Hot Springs

and its Andean Condors.

CitiesNew age cities with archaic flair. Peru is known for great nightlife and tasty food.

Lima: Visit the Historic Centre, beaches and

barrios of the bustling city of Lima. The city is

filled with museums and a top city

destination and Peru’s “cultural and business

center.”

Chiclayo: Known for its nightlife, shopping,

archaeology and food, the city is also located

close to the shoreline.

Trujillo: The remains of the Chimu Empire are

located just outside the city, Chan Chan is the

center of Chimu and is known for its

archaeological splendor and pottery.

Arequipa: Lies high in the Andean Mountains

(El Misti can be seen from the city) and known

as “La Ciudad Blanca” due to its Colonial era

Spanish Buildings.

Traditional Icons

Paris has the Eiffel Tower, New York the Empire State Building and Peru has…Llamas.

Quinoa: The popular seed originated in the

Andean region, and can be replaced for

wheat. This food’s popularity has spread wildly

and can be tasted in many recipes.

Llama: The popularity of the Llama has

played a large role in Andean society. Their

adaptation the high elevations and their wool

fur have led them to be the perfect

workhorses of the mountain region.

“Santa Catalina has

some beautoful buildings”

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Archaeology

This country is a popular place to decipher the past from Andean societies such as the Paracas and the Incas. History is in the past, and can be unearthed in Peru.

A popular hot spot for archaeological digs. Many discoveries (like Machu Pichu) have occurred throughout Peru. Some sites include: Huaca Del Sol, Chan Chan, Moray, Sacred Valley and Machu Pichu.

Paracas Culture

The Paracas were a Pre-Andean Society, well knowledged in irrigation and its textiles from the “Necropolis”. They lived “between the sea and the desert”, on the Southern Paracas peninsula. Little is known about their way of life.

Take a tour of the peninsula

Volunteer Work

Peru is more than a vacation. If you are looking for something more than sites, you can find travel with purpose in Peru whether it is in the Amazon or at a dig.

Volunteer English Teaching: Help to teach and

update the English program in Peru

throughout Cuzco and Machu Pichu.

Volunteer Inca Archaeology Project: Get hands on experience in Cusco working on local archeology and historical projects and live like a local.

Volunteer Care Work: Work with children in the Sacred Valley working on education, school activities and learning.

Volunteer Rainforest Conservation: Observe

and report on wildlife projects in the Amazon,

while helping to conserve the rainforest and

observe nature.

“It was great to finally visit Lake Titicaca - well

worth it”

‘The first time I saw

Albert Einstein

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I have no money, no full-time job, student loans piling up and I still live at home. While you may think I have no means for travel, I believe I have nothing holding me back. That is why I think now is the perfect time to plan my first gap year experience. More specifically, now is the time to plan my first “gap month” as I like to call it – a month-long soiree into the foreign land of taking time off work or school to travel the world.

THE TIME IS NOWI graduated from a U.S. university in May of 2009 – the same time the American economy crashed and thousands of people around the country lost their jobs. I read somewhere that 80% of kids did not have jobs lined up for after they walked across the stage and received their diploma. I, being one of them, bounced around from job to job after graduation. Although I majored in Communication and hoped to go into graphic design or advertising, I found myself working as everything from a daycare teacher to a summer camp counselor. One day while wondering what I was doing with my life a friend mentioned that I should travel. I had loved traveling to Europe and living in New Zealand but I had never thought about solo travel after graduation. Suddenly my lack of apartment, pets, job or significant other seemed like a ticket to an experience I never imaged I would have.

VOLUNTEERING PROJECTAs the Type A person that I am, no less than several weeks of constant research went into planning my travels. Since Americans don’t usually take time off from school or their careers to travel, this was a concept I knew nothing about. Nothing, aside from the fact that this was something I definitely wanted to do. I looked online and found some gap year companies that provided insight about prices and locations for possible travel. I specifically looked in Africa, a place I had always envied for its rich cultures and sceneries. I finally settled on a trip a highly reputable company called i-to-i which is based in England. I picked a program and then added another, eventually dropping the second one and changing the first. After it was all said and done I was quite content

with my choice to spend three weeks volunteering at a big cat breeding center in Kroonstad, South Africa.

INITIAL STEPSWhile I initially (and ignorantly) assumed that my trip was as simple as picking a project and sending in the money, it soon turned into a nine month ordeal – and I hadn’t even left the US yet! My first obstacle was the sheer amount of research that goes into something involving this much time, energy and money. I wanted to make sure I found the program that best suited my needs. Next came the money. Gap years are expensive! The program fee you will pay could be up to a couple thousand US dollars in order to cover accommodation, transportation, your volunteer position and in-country assistance. My flight cost nearly $1,200 non-stop from New York to Johannesburg and I still had think about insurance, seeing a travel doctor, buying equipment, investing in an international cell phone and buying food while I was abroad. I had to do some pretty clever budgeting, an ability I thankfully inherited from my father the accountant. I was without a full-time job or parents willing to finance my travels so all costs were coming out of my pocket. I had to carefully plan my income and expenses as they fluctuated from month to month and job to job.

THE NAYSAYERSWhile I was prepared to handle the tedious task of keeping track of my money, my next step was something more unexpected. When I told my friends I was going to Africa they were more or less thrilled and jealous. However I sometimes received negative reactions from family members. I was told that I should save my money instead, spend it on an apartment, a car or student loans. I suddenly had to convince myself that I really wanted to take this giant step and invest so many resources in this one-month trip. But I hoped that this trip had the potential to change my outlook on life (and lead me to a travel-oriented job afterwards), so I knew it was worth every penny. To boost my moral I found articles online that supported independent travel and got in contact with people who had been on gap years themselves. These resources helped restore my confidence in my trip immensely.

MY STORYVOLUNTEERING IN SOUTH AFRICA

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WAITING GAMESo my plane ticket was booked, my spot at the breeding center was

reserved and my travel insurance was in place. The next part of my plan

was even harder than all the others – waiting until September. Having

booked my trip in January I was left with approximately 253 days of

not-so-patiently waiting for my departure date to arrive. There were

things along the way to keep me busy, like the small problem of earning

enough money to fund the trip. I worked at several jobs during those

days to keep my budget on track, continually reminding myself about

the figurative light at the end of the 253-day tunnel. Every dime I made

had to go straight toward my trip; while my friends were going shopping

and planning vacations; I was taking typhoid vaccines and eating

leftovers to save money. It’s an understatement to say that I was about

ready to throw in the towel more than a few times.

LAST MINUTE PLANSBut the waiting paid off and I am writing this article 18 days before I

get on the plane destined for South Africa. I’ve spent the last few

weeks deciding to go on some tours in my few free days after my

volunteer position ends, and I’ve been busily researching and booking

those. But more importantly I can now look back on what I’ve gained

from this experience. Before I even set foot on international soil I know

that I can focus on a goal and achieve it, budgeting, researching and

planning along the way.

LOOKING BACKThis gap year trip will be the culmination of so much of my time,

energy and money that I can’t help but be nervous. But more than

nervous about being by myself 8,000 miles from home, I am excited. I

hope that this trip only increases my interest in travel and that perhaps

I can find a career that involves international travel. The only advice I’d

have to prospective gap year travelers is to know what you’re getting in

to. That said, figuring out everything along the way turned out to be

half the fun! I’ve grown up a lot through planning this trip, and I can

only hope that the travel itself will allow me to grow even more. After 9

months of planning I firmly believe that I did make the right decision

despite what some people though. I wasn’t content to follow the

“normal” college-career-family path that so many young adults fall

into. I’m young, unattached and I want to take a step back and see

parts of the world that others simply dream of.

SHARE YOUR STORY!Do you have a passion for travel and writing? Are you looking for some experience in the industry and exposure for your work?

If so then get in touch with us today.

All we ask is that you can write and love travel.

Email us with more information about yourself, inc your CV : info@iwishtravel.co.uk

by Kristine Boise

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There are various medical conditions, which, as a traveller you should be aware of when abroad. The following are overviews of the 12 most common conditions you may be at risk from. Read them to gain a better understanding but do contact a Doctor before travel.CHOLERA

Vibrio Cholerae. Sounds harmless right? However this bacteria is the causes of an acute diarrheal illness that many travelers face. The disease is only known to affect humans by contaminating the bowels of the body, resulting in diarrhea.

The main culprit behind this disease is poor water sanitation in many nations such as India, areas in Africa and South East Asia, where many adventurous travelers journey. Spreading of feces through water sources is how many get infected.

Even though this disease can seem passable, it is very dangerous to let symptoms go untreated. Dehydration can lead to death and medical attention should be sought if a traveler cannot keep down liquids orally or “sudden” diarrhea occurs.

The best way to treat Cholera is by drinking fluids and antibiotic treatment.

Ways to avoid Cholera:

1.) Be aware of your surroundings, and what you are drinking & eating at all times

2.) Think twice before eating salads, shellfish, unwashed vegetables & fruits, ice and water

3.) ALWAYS wash your hands.

4.) Get vaccinated. This is a preferable treatment if you will be traveling to areas where you will be unable to keep up with what you are eating/drinking (such as working in slum areas , etc.) The vaccine can help you stay Cholera-free for 6 months to 2 years.

5.)

HEPATITIS A

Another disease that finds root in poor sanitation is the Hepatitis A virus. The liver becomes infected from poorly sanitized food and water or from contact with another person. This virus occurs in most poorly sanitized areas

Symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, gastro-intestinal upset, diarrhea and even jaundice. Lifelong immunity of the disease occurs when infected.

It is extremely important to be aware of what you eat and drink while traveling to nations with poor sanitation because no treatment is available. Travelers must wash their hands, get vaccinated and be wary of uncooked and unwashed foods.

HEPATITIS B

More serious than type A, Hepatitis B also infects the liver, but through needle sharing, sexual intercourse, injections or transfusions of blood.

Similar symptoms from type A occur, but have worse affects. Six months is the normal time span of the disease, but can last longer if these people become “carriers”. These carriers normally encounter liver disease then cancer. Treatment is done symptomatically and through close observation of the liver.

This virus occurs everywhere but is more prominent in India, Russia, Eastern Europe, Central and South America, South East Asia, Africa and numerous south pacific islands.

Travelers should not get tattoos, piercings or acupuncture and avoid “risky behavior” where sanitation can come into question.

12 MEDICAL CONDITIONSYOU NEED TO KNOW BY MEGAN SMITH

[14]

INFLUENZA (SWINE FLU)

Swine Flu, or H1N1, is known for its flu-like symptoms and is contagious through contact with respiratory discharge. Symptoms include: fever like symptoms, sore throat, unusual tiredness, diarrhea, loss of appetite or vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these symptoms and distance yourself from others to prevent its spread.

You are at risk for H1N1 when travelling in crowded conditions like cruise ships or tour excursions. Make sure you frequently wash your hands, cover your mouth when you sneeze and be wary of health conditions where you are traveling.

Vaccines are available for those traveling to the Southern Hemisphere from April to September.

JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS

Occurring only in East Asia, this deadly culex mosquitoes bite can result in convulsions, meningitis, encephalitis and permanent neurological damage. Thirty percent of those bitten die.

This mosquito breeds in piggeries and rice paddies, particularly after the monsoon season in countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, India, Nepal, Laos, Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam and China.

Vaccines, mosquito nets and repellent are the most effective and important tools to reduce your risk of avoiding mosquito bites, seeing as there is no treatment available.

MENINGOCCAL MENINGITIS

This disease is acute bacterial, and can cause systemic infection. Symptoms include stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, powerful headache, fever, blood spots and intolerance of light.

Main prevention methods against the disease include basic hygiene measures, avoiding crowded areas and covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Antibiotics are available and normally last 3-5 years.

Hajj pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia are obliged to vaccination as well as having a valid certificate of vaccination.

RABIES

Infected bites and scratches from rabid animals can lead to rabies, or, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. This is most common from dog bites in parts of the world such as Latin and South America, Africa and Asia.

Symptoms include fever, headache and weakness or tingling of the wound site. This leads to convulsions, muscle spasms and mainly death. It is important to seek medical attention because no specific treatment is available for those showing symptoms once they occur.

It is recommended that you receive vaccinations before traveling. Also, seek medical attention 24 hours after being bitten. Tetanus shots are available and will help prevent rabies.

TICK-BORN ENCEPHALITIS

Much as the name itself states, this disease is carried by infected ticks. It is most commonly spread through bites but also (though less common) through milk from infected animals.

Infections commonly occur during outdoor recreation activities like camping, mountain biking and forestry working during spring to early autumn. Infected ticks can be found in European Russia, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, Scandinavia, Slovakia and the former eastern part of the USSR stretching into China.

Symptoms are similar to other meningitis types, however is constrained to the meninges often leading to full recovery. However it is important to be just as careful when dealing with ticks. Some cases can become serious, 1 in 100 suffering from TBE die.

No treatment is accessible for those with TBE however, a vaccination is available.

TUBERCULOSIS

This bacterial infection is common throughout South America, Indonesia, India, tropical Asia-Pacific regions and Africa. Respiratory contact is the common culprit that spreads the disease as well as unpasteurized, infected milk.

Symptoms include: fever, constant cough, loss of appetite, night sweats, weight loss and exhaustion.

Vaccines are available for travelers and are recommended for those under the age of 16. Those who already have tuberculosis are treated using drug therapy..

TYPHOID

Common in South America, Southeast Asia, India and Africa, typhoid is a bacterial disease caused by Salmonella and infected (urine and feces) foods and drinks.

Symptoms include headache, fever, confusion and abdominal pain from systemic infection of the body.

Typhoid can be avoided by maintaining excellent personal hygiene while abroad, being cautious of foods such as undercooked meats and shellfish and getting vaccinated before travel. However, vaccination does not prevent para-typhoid fever.

TOP TIP

“ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TRAVEL”

[15]

INFLUENZA (SWINE FLU)

Administered through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, Yellow fever can be found in Sub-Saharan Africa and Central and South America.

There are three transmission cycles: Jungle, Urban and Intermediate yellow fever.

• Jungle- Most transmissions through non-human hosts (monkeys) but can be transferred over to people going into the forest.

• Urban- Spread by mosquitoes (that have bit infected moneys or people) that enter urban areas. This type is uncommon in the Americas.

• Intermediate- Outbreaks only occur in Africa in humid savannah provinces.

Symptoms include: Backache, vomiting, muscle pain, fever and the progression of jaundice. Within a week these symptoms can be noticed, and medical attention should be sought immediately. A specific treatment does not exist for yellow fever, and up to 60% infected will die, the rest will face lifelong protection against it.

Vaccines are recommended for those travelling to countries greatest at risk and proof of this vaccination is required in many countries. It is also imperative to use bug repellent and wear long sleeves when going outside. This is important to protect yourself and the home country you will be eventually traveling back to. Shots are available at Yellow fever Centers only. Check your local listings.

MALARIA

Tropical and subtropical environments are most affected by Malaria infected mosquitoes and can be fatal. Vaccinations for Malaria do not exist, which is why it is of utmost importance to protect yourself. Here are 3 ways to do so…

1.) Try to avoid getting bit as much as possible. Use repellent, wear long sleeves (still wearing repellent) and use mosquito nets. Also remember that most bites occur at night.

2.) Anti-Malaria Tablets can also be obtained. If so, make sure to take them before your trip, as well as four weeks after you return from your trip.

3.) Medicinal drugs are also an option. However, they are not 100% effective and come with side effects. Talk to your doctor before taking any drugs before travelling.

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TOP TIP

“Travellers should not get tattoos, piercings or acupuncture and avoid “risky behavior” where sanitation can come into

question.”

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. . . . . AND FINALLYWe hope you enjoyed this latest edition of of new Gap Year Magazine.

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