The sabbatical year is something very common in Anglo-Saxon countries that is slowly (and finally!) Is also taking its place in Spain. Consists intake a year of "freedom", Normally once you finish your studies, but also after having worked a few years.
For this year there are those who think big and schedule a trip RTW (around the world), who prefers to visit a country, who a continent ... but the main thing is that the protagonist is you! The world is full of this type of travelers and, although you had never thought to be among them, the day comes when Mercury enlightens you with wisdom and you think… yes, I am set to travel the world!
After believing to hear Gladiator's song notes in your head (scientifically proven moment) the psychotic-paranoid moment of“I will go around the world! Will I go around the world?!? And where am I going? How??? How much money do I need?? How do I prepare the suitcase? And the vaccines ???? And the insurance ??? aiiiii! ”
STEP 1. Quiet, you are starting to live a dream, do not transform it into a nightmare: enjoy from the moment one, you will see that the preparations are great, like traveling before traveling!
STEP 2. Get informed! It is clear that such a trip cannot be organized in detail, but you cannot leave without knowing what you need or what you are going to face.
We will see step by step the most important points at the time of Prepare and organize a sabbatical year.
1- HEALTH I: THE VACCINES
Before all not, the plane will not fall, a shark will not eat you or an unknown lizard will chase you at night. But prevention is better than cure, so it is essential inform you with your doctor on the vaccines to be given depending on the destination: hepatitis A + B, yellow fever, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, rabies, typhoid fever, Japanese encephalitis and many more! But we assure you that although your arm will have more holes than a piece of emmental, it will be worth it!
For more info: preparations / HEALTH
2- HEALTH II: INSURANCE
It is essential to take out travel insurance that takes care of us where the mamma does not reach! But how to choose the best insurance?
- Check the maximum time in which you can be abroad (in some cases although the insurance is annual, only 90 continuous days outside Spain are allowed).
- Know if we will have to advance the money which will then be returned to us or if the insurance pays for medical services from the first moment, much better this second option, obviously.
- Know what is the limit monetary insurance coverage (clearly the higher, the better!).
- Read well each of the coverages and compare several companies. If in doubt, ask and ask until it is very clear.
For more info: //www.mochileandoporelmundo.com/como-elegir-mejor-seguro-de-viaje/
3- HEALTH III: MEDICATIONS
It's not about improvising being a nurse or taking a pharmacy, as we did 😉 But have any medication available It is always interesting. Prophylaxis againstmalaria It is essential if you travel to risk areas since there is no vaccine. Also pain relievers and bandages will always travel with us (already, I am delicate and light as a lame elephant)! It does not hurt to take a stomach protector and for heartburn for the first days (if you are delicate to spicy), and something to cut diarrhea when visiting countries with spicy or different foods to which we are accustomed.
For more info: preparations / HEALTH
4- THE MONEY: THE BUDGET
It is very different to travel 1 year in Asia or travel for 12 months between Asia, Australia, America and Africa. Sofind out about the cost of living in the country and the travel style you want to live. If you travel through Asia as a backpacker you will spend between € 12-20 between eating, sleeping, moving around
For more info: preparations / MONEY
5- THE MONEY: CREDIT CARD vs CASH
OK, you know more or less how much you'll spend, buthow are you going to pay for things? Removing travel checks, which in many countries are not accepted, there are two main ways:
- CREDIT CARD: surely the biggest advantage is not having to worry about losing money or assuming theft. The problem is that in some places you cannot pay by credit card and somewhere you won't even find ATM. You also have to take into account cash withdrawal commissions!
- CASH: It is commodity, no doubt, but it is much easier to lose it, or to have it stolen. The solution? It is a mix! We have taken $ 1,000 in cash (for visa costs, for the month in Myanmar and for security) and credit card.
For more info: preparations / MONEY
6- THE BACKPACK
For women, putting together a backpack for a great trip is almost impossible mission. Choose which shirt to wear and find the strength to abandon those wonderful sandals with heels, it is hard, very hard (or books, or your bedside table, or your collection of cards, or your hiking boots or you - insert what you want if some of the above options offend you-). But is better take few things and if you need anything buy it at the destination. If you travel to warm countries 7-8 kg of backpack are more than enough, if you travel in winter or where it will be cold 10-12 are good.
From experience we now know that we would never travel without earplugs: they will be your best allies in night trips or in the most partying hostels, don't forget them!
For more info: The preparations / BACKPACK
7- THE TICKETS
Two options: either you organize yourself and buy the tickets step by step or you join one of the many RTW (round the world / round the world) offers that offer ticket packs at very good prices: it is a plane ticket which allows different stops around the world with a time limit (1 year) and miles. These tickets are sold by alliances of major airlines such as Star Alliance, Skyteam or Oneworld.
8- BUROCRACY
Do you have the passport? Do not?! Run to get it out! He will be your most faithful friend and companion on the trip: without him you will not be anyone! Make sure you have enough white pages to seal visas and that your passport is valid for at least 6 months when entering a new country. Take photocopies of your passport and insurance and also send them by email.
And the visas? In some country you can enter without a visa, in others they will give it to you on arrival and in others you will have to request it in time at the embassies… find out!
Visas for Spaniards: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Spanish_citizens
9-INFORMATIVE POPOURRI
Internet is full of blogs and forums that talk about the subject. There are thousands of things to know! For example, going to Thailand during the monsoon season can ruin your trip, find out about the weather! Open a skype account: you can keep free contact with friends and family. Did you know that there are pages that offer free food and accommodation in exchange for work? You can also sleep on the couch of someone you don't know!
And after informing yourself, relax: you will see that it will be the best experience of your life ... BON VOYAGE!
For more info:
Climate in the world: //www.guidaviaggi.it/IT/utilities/clima-nel-mondo/
Free hosting: www.couchsurfing.com; www.hospitalityclub.org; //wwoofinternational.org/
Forums and information: www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa; //www.foro.geoplaneta.es; //www.losviajeros.com/
Guide for future backpackers: //mochileandoporelmundo.com/guia-practica-para-futuros-mochileros/
And you, do you dare to live your adventure ?!
We hope this article from how to organize and take a sabbatical year it has been helpful to you 🙂
