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Travel Tips - Useful-Stuff - Africa and Asia Venture

Travel Tips

Before You Go...

1. Country Information

Find out what the Foreign & Commonwealth Office says about the country/countries you want to visit. They offer plenty of sound advice. Check their web site at:

• www.fco.gov.uk
• Telephone: 0845 850 2829

2. Inoculations

Find out from your GP what inoculations you will need. Don't leave it until the last minute and don't forget to cover yourself for all the countries you are likely to visit. We will send you our recommendations list anyway.

3. Gap Year Information

AV will send you a lot of useful information in plenty of time for you to act on it. This will include tips on:

• Health
• Finance
• Communications
• Visas
• Flights
• Packing Lists
• Itineraries
• Contact details

4. Packing For Your Gap

Ensure you take only what you need. AV will send you a very detailed packing list tailored to the country to which you are going. Packing can be trickier than you think. It's quite difficult to travel light and easy to travel heavy. Try to travel 'smart'! Before buying lots of stuff you don't need, wait for our packing list and then check Homeway's products. Homeway is a family business and it focuses on young travellers. Their products are excellent. See their web site at:

• www.travelwithcare.com
• Telephone: 0870 748 9562

5. Malaria

You should seek medical advice on the best malarial prophylactics to take for the areas you will be visiting. Most types require you to begin taking them before you leave home (and to continue taking them for a short time on return). Again, you will need to know all the countries you are likely to visit before your GP can recommend the best anti-malarials.

6. Dental

Have your teeth checked before you depart on your trip. You won't want dental treatment in some of the countries you may find yourself!

When You Get There...

7. Gap Year Orientation Course

AV will run an Orientation Course for everyone on arrival in country. This will be packed with useful and pertinent information on how to stay healthy, safe avoid the pitfalls that await the unwary. It will also provide you with language training, some history, culture and customs, cooking tips and relevant training to the activities you will undergo.

8. Personal Safety

These are some useful tips that will help you stay safe abroad. They will be covered on the Orientation Course in more detail:

• Be especially careful when drinking. Most losses, thefts, assaults, accidents, arguments and one-night-stands are the result of too much alcohol.
• Be alert to your surroundings at all times.
• Don't travel alone unless absolutely necessary (AV never allows travel alone).
• Try not to travel at night.
• Find out where the dodgy areas are in towns, cities and countryside and avoid them.
• Be aware of the threat from wildlife.
• Plan your trips thoroughly and try and ensure someone else knows:

1. Where you are.
2. Who you are with.
3. Where you're going.
4. When you are leaving.
5. When you plan to arrive.

• Don't assume everyone who speaks to you wants to be your friend.
• Don't assume everyone who speaks to you wants to steal your possessions or harm you.
• Treat everyone in a polite and courteous manner.
• Dress appropriately, especially in sensitive places such as churches, mosques, shrines, etc.
• Don't smoke or drink alcohol in sensitive places such as churches, mosques, shrines, etc.
• Be sensitive to others, especially if you are in a large group. Loud, noisy and boisterous groups can change the atmosphere instantly and may cause offence.
• Always be prepared to refuse a lift if:

1. The vehicle looks unsafe.
2. You think the driver may have been drinking/taking drugs.
3. The driver is driving dangerously.
4. You feel unsafe.

9. Personal Security

• Keep a copy of your insurance documents with you, and leave one set at home with family
• Don't carry too much cash on you.
• Don't display cash and valuables for others to see, if you can avoid it.
• Wear a money belt (under your clothes).
• Carry traveller's cheques/plastic rather than large amounts of cash.
• Carry a couple of small, good quality combination locks (for your bags, drawers and rooms).
• Never be separated from your kit, unless you leave it secure.
• Always have someone sober in your group, watching out for everyone and their kit.
• Don't wander off alone, or with strangers, especially if you have been drinking and never at night. Don't allow your friends to, either.

10. Health

• Only drink bottled water that comes in a properly sealed bottle or that you have boiled yourself. Where this is not possible, use purification tablets or water purification systems.
• Ensure your food is properly washed/cooked/prepared.
• Take your Malaria prophylactics as required and don't forget. Remind each other daily/weekly.
• Apply anti-mosquito sprays before sunset.
• Sleep under a properly treated (Permethrin) mosquito net.
• Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreens, hats and appropriate clothing.
• Treat insect bites and cuts with antiseptic wipes to prevent infection.
• Always carry a First Aid Kit within your group and have a personal one in your kit.
• HIV/AIDS is prevalent in the developing world, so use your commonsense and avoid the dangers, especially when drinking!
• Don't take drugs.
• Don't get involved in accidents/treatment involving blood injuries. Let others deal with it if you can. If you must get involved, wear rubber gloves and wash very thoroughly afterwards.

When You Get Home

11. Malaria

You must comply with the instructions relevant to the anti-malarial treatment you are following i.e. if you are required to continue taking your pills for a week, do so!

12. General Health

• Be alert to any symptoms that may be misdiagnosed as something relatively harmless i.e. flu instead of malaria. Ensure you GP is aware you have been abroad if you see him about a sickness.
• Be alert to any sudden body temperature changes and seek immediate medical advice if they occur. Again, ensure you GP is aware you have been abroad if you see him about a sickness.
• It may be worthwhile going for a thorough check up at Interhealth, London, who specialise in such matters, if you are in any doubt about your health at all. Contact them at:

http://www.interhealth.org.uk

111 Westminster Bridge Road

London

SE1 7HR

(Ground Floor)

Tel 020 7902 9000 ( 44 20 7902 9000)

Fax 020 7902 9091 ( 44 20 7902 9091)