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 Wherever you decide to go on your gap year you need to make sure you are safe and healthy while you are there. We put our essential travel questions to Steve Jewitt-Fleet from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to find out more.
What are the most important issues to consider when planning a gap year?Staying healthy and safe is vital in order to having an enjoyable trip. Researching your destination through a good guidebook and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice website will make you better prepared for conditions and local laws and customs in-country. You should also check with your GP which vaccinations you might need; Malaria is still one of the biggest killers in the world. How important is adequate travel insurance? We strongly advise that all travellers acquire comprehensive travel insurance whether they are undertaking a weekend break away or are embarking on a year long expedition around the world. Without travel insurance you will not be able to safeguard yourself against lost or stolen items, travel delays, cancellations and perhaps most importantly the cost of treatment should you encounter a situation that requires medical assistance.
A broken leg in Europe could cost as much as £4k to treat, an air ambulance from the US can cost up to £35k. Within Europe you should also ensure you have your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) which will entitle you to free emergency Healthcare within the EU. We would also stress that you read the small print of your cover to make sure you are covered for the activities that you undertake. A large number of adventure activities are not covered by standard insurance and alcohol and drugs may affect your cover. What are your tips for staying healthy while you are away?We advise that all travellers visit their GP at least six weeks before they travel to undertake any necessary health precautions before they go. The Department of Health (DH) has useful advice on the sorts of vaccinations required for different parts of the world and we recommend that gap year travellers go to the DH website to find out which vaccinations they may need. On the Department of Health website you can also apply for an EHIC card. This gives you access to discounted healthcare in Europe. It’s also worth noting that without an EHIC card your travel insurance may not cover your medical costs, so it’s essential you get an EHIC card when travelling in Europe - and it’s free. Where can you access travel and safety advice before you go?The Foreign Office has a dedicated website for anyone considering a gap year - Go Gap Year. As well as useful travel advice, there is a section on popular destinations, tips on working abroad and a free Lonely Planet guide. How can you safeguard your passport before your trip?We advise that all travellers make two photocopies of their passport; one which you keep with you and the other should be left with a reliable family member or friend - should you need this to be faxed over to you. In the event you misplace your passport or it gets stolen, the first thing to do is to go to the local police station to get a police report and then with this report you should go to the Consulate or Embassy. They should be able to issue you with an emergency passport and if you’ve a copy of your passport, this will speed up the process. Finally, where can you get help if something goes wrong while you are away?Staff at the British Embassy or Consulate are there to assist Brits in distress abroad so make sure you register online with the FCO on the website before you travel and carry with you the addresses of the Consulates of the countries you will be visiting. However, there are boundaries to what they can and cannot do for you. If for any reason, you find yourself detained in prison, they’ll put you contact with an English speaking lawyer but they won’t be able to get you out of jail. Likewise, they won’t be able to pay your medical bill should you find yourself hospitalised. It is important gap year travellers are aware of what the FCO can and can’t do for you abroad. We would like to encourage anyone considering a gap year trip to visit Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website for full details about the assistance available. | 
