Gap years in South-East Asia – part two
April 27, 2009In part one, we looked into the costs associated with spending a gap year in South-East Asia. In this second part, we’ll consider the risks associated with working and travelling in the region.
No place in the world is 100% safe. The key is to gauge what risks are associated with any particular destination and try and address them as best you can.
Obviously some places are safer than others and the majority of South-East Asia is not a bad place to start if this is perhaps your first time away on your own. Countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia have been well-visited by backpackers for many years. There are well-worn routes through these places, meaning they’re well set-up to cater for tourists, with restaurants, places to stay and medical facilities.
There are major health considerations for people visiting the area. Malaria, dengue fever and other tropical diseases can be contracted, so it’s important you speak to your doctor and get all the necessary inoculations before travelling, as well as anti-malarial drugs. It’s also worth taking a first aid kit with you.
The risks associated with travelling in South-East Asia are minor compared to many other regions and you will be sure to have a great time on a gap year there.
