FCO travel advice

Message from Jack Straw MP

Taking a gap year is a great opportunity for young people to broaden their horizons, making them more mature and responsible citizens. Our society benefits from travel, which promotes character, confidence, decision-making skills and an awareness of other people and cultures. But we need to ensure that the gap year experience is not spoiled by unnecessary problems or accidents. Time spent in advance on research and preparation can save a great deal of trouble and heartache later.

We are delighted to be working with gapyear.com on the 'Know Before You Go' campaign. It is essential that all first-time travellers prepare before they travel - that they have proper insurance cover, they have read the FCO Travel Advice for where they are going, and they know how we can, and cannot, help them if they get into trouble. I encourage all travellers to check out our website at www.fco.gov.uk before travelling overseas.

The Rt Hon. Jack Straw MP
Leader of the House of Commons

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Message from Tom Griffiths, Founder of gapyear.com

We are delighted to be working with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to do all that we can to help young backpackers stay safe overseas. The Gap Year Company was founded with the specific reason of giving young backpackers an informed independent choice and also the knowledge to travel safely. We believe backpackers risk their lives overseas every year due to ignorance, so we hope a bit of education may just save some lives. And hey...if we save one, then we've done a good job!


It is therefore vital before you leave on your trip overseas:


1. That you take insurance
2. That you know what the Foreign Office can and, most importantly, CANNOT do for you
3. That you familiarise yourself with the FCO website

If you are not clued up as to why you need insurance, click here.

Have fun, travel safely



Tom Griffiths
Founder
gapyear.com & 'gap year' magazine

Further information:

Click here >> for the FCO website:
Click here >> for the gapyear.com guide to buying travel insurance

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