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Travel Advice for Girls - What to pack for a gap year - A girl's guide!
Keep it LIGHT!
A girl walks into a hostel, followed by her male companion. The owner knows instantly which bag belongs to whom, even if he's done the gentlemanly thing and swapped with her. It's hard but being brutal will save you a lot of aching and pleading to be helped out. The joke about taking out the contents of your bag and repacking half of them can be quite good advice.
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Travel Advice for Girls - Go au natural (on your face!)
If you're going to a rural area, going back to basics will be part of the experience and your hair straighteners will look out of place in a mud hut, even if you have enough time to use them. Likewise, a thick layer of make-up isn't going to look good after a day of trekking.
If you've booked onto one of our programmes, read the information carefully or ask a Real Gap adviser if there are opportunities to dress up. If there is, allow yourself the luxury of an eyeliner or lipstick and maybe a decent top. Otherwise, go for the sun-kissed, au natural look! |
Travel Advice for Girls - Consider leaving jewellery in its box
Obviously it depends where you're going but in some countries, the earrings, silver chain and even the watch you always wear at home will attract attention. Be prepared to go unadorned or swap your designer watch for something cheap and plastic.
Travel Advice for Girls - The wonder item
And the wonder item is... a sarong! Use it as a sheet, a towel (in emergencies), a long skirt, a dress, a shawl, a bandage, a sand-screen or a bandana. A couple of safety pins will help keep it in place if necessary. And it'll dry quickly!
Travel Advice for Girls - Downsizing your toilet bag
- Soap - instead of cleanser, toner and shower gel. (Buy a plastic soap container to keep it in and wrap it in a plastic bag to stop leaks.)
- 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner - instead of separate bottles. Also doubles up as shaving foam!
- Moisturiser - instead of separate after-sun.
- Comb - instead of a comb and brush, or vice-versa.
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Travel Advice for Girls - Home comforts
Travelling light doesn't have to exclude all home comforts and a couple of strategically packed items can do wonders for the heartstrings. A bar of Cadburys (best eaten in cooler countries, within the first couple of weeks!), a good book or an MP3 player loaded with your favourite happy tunes can ease homesickness.
Travel Advice for Girls - Other tips for girls on a gap year
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- Dress sensibly - Bear in mind that what is perceived as normal back home might be seen as a come-on in some countries. That doesn't mean you have to dress like a nun, just don't flash flesh all over the place or visit people in their homes unless you know them well. If you're travelling on your own through Africa or South America, you might want to put a ring on your wedding finger and tie back long hair.
- Look composed - Girls are not the easy prey that some mothers fear they are. Attention from men is usually well-intended and ignoring them is the best way to deal with it. Walking briskly, with your head held high, gives the impression that you're confident and shouldn't be messed with.
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For more hints on safe travel, you can take our Gap Year Safety Course.
If you want any more travel advice for girls, ring us for a chat. About 80% of our team are female and a lot of them have travelled on their own. They'll be really happy to give you advice or answer any questions you may have, no matter how silly you think the question may be!
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