Taking a gap year is likely to be the best time of your life, but if you are travelling alone the prospect of solo female travel can be quite intimidating. Many people will tell you that travelling opens you up to meeting new people, and that is true, but some Xtreme Gap Year programmes are better suited to people that would like a pre-organised group of people of a similar age. Everyone is in the same boat, and you might be surprised to find out most of our gappers are solo female travellers (about 65%).
You may be considering taking a gap year alone, for what ever reason. Your mates have let you down, differences in where you want to go, or perhaps you just prefer it that way. If you are a solo Female Traveller, you are a little bit more exposed to risk than male travellers. This is mainly through unwanted male attention, but there are some things that can help prepare you for your trip.
The main issue for solo female travellers compared to their solo male counterparts is the threat of sexual harassment from local men and even male travellers. Ironically more often than not the more conservative a country the more harassment a solo female traveller can expect.
Xtreme Gaps Top Tips for Solo Female Travellers.
1: Dress with common sense and be sure you dress appropriately
It is a sad fact that many man in non western countries view Western women as slutty. This impression is largely due to how tourists dress, and the occasional inappropriate behaviour from previous travellers. How you dress has a big impact.The simple fact is that if you dress appropriately and cover up you will invite far less attention than you would otherwise.If you are heading to a conservative Muslim nation, like Indonesia for example then cover your shoulders and leg.
2: Consider travelling in a group
If you are heading somewhere alone where there is an increased chance of harassment like Asia or South America hang out with other travellers! This again will greatly reduce any hassle you might get. Programmes like the North Vietnam Experience, Thailand Experience and Venezuela Experience are predominantly booked by solo female travellers because they provide the security of going in a group and have airport pick ups and local co-ordinators to help you out.
3: Wear a “wedding ring” on your wedding finger!
This actually helps you avoid unwanted male attention!
4: Stay in control!
If you are drunk and a bit wild you will attract male attention! Drinking and travelling go hand in hand, so we are not suggesting you avoid the booze, just be careful about where and when and with whom you choose to party. Drink Spiking happens, rarely, but still happens. This is the case in any country in the world. So never leave your drinks un attended.
5: The kindness of strangers…
If some one approaches you randomly and is overly nice and helpful, as them and yourself why? Some people are natuarally friendly, but others have ulterior motives.
The following programmes Vietnam Experience, Thailand Experience and Venezuela Class Room tend to be more popular with girls (65% female to male ratio on average) and are excellent for proving full support from the moment you land.
