5 Tips for Traveling During a Gap Year Abroad

Hello! I’m Pluto, a gap year student studying abroad in Seville, Spain. I’ve been here for a few months already and I’m excited to share about my journey and experience living here. There is so much to love not only about Seville and its amazing culture but the whole of Spain. There are so many places outside of Spain that are amazing to travel to and explore. In this blog, I will share 5 tips for traveling during a gap year abroad. 

Set a Budget Before

Setting up a budget for travel is never exciting. However, it can be extremely easy to overspend if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s so important to set up a budget while planning. This can be as detailed or simple as you would like, but having the freedom to travel also means accepting the responsibility of managing your finances. 

Buy Tickets Ahead of Time

Depending on where you plan to go, tickets to any attractions or events can sell out months in advance. It’s important to have an idea of what you want to see and check their availability. The last thing you want is to show up for an attraction or event and find out there are no tickets left. 

Research The Local Culture and Customs

When traveling it is important to respect the culture and locals of any place you go. A little research beforehand can go a long way. It can help you understand how to carry yourself and be respectful of the local culture. The last thing anyone wants to do is to unintentionally offend someone when it can be easily avoided. 

Learn Common Phrases

If you plan to travel somewhere where you don’t know the language, learning a couple common phrases can be extremely useful. Never make the assumption that everyone will know the same language as you. If you learn a couple phrases before arriving it can help you navigate your destination and communicate with the people much easier. Simple phrases such as “Hello,” “excuse me,” “please” and “thank you” can go a long way. 

Leave Time For Exploring 

While planning and buying tickets to any major attractions beforehand can save you lots of hassle during your travels, it’s important to leave yourself some wiggle room. There are so many chances for adventure and exploration everywhere you go. Sometimes the best experiences can come completely unexpectedly. 

These are 5 tips that helped me make the most of my travels while on my gap year abroad. 

If you are interested in taking a Gap Year Abroad in Spain you can apply here or schedule a call with an Enrollment Coordinator to talk through any questions you may have.

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