KGY Tips

Must-Know This for Gap Year!

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Before going on a gap year, there are things you need to prepare in advance, such as issuing or renewing a passport, essential visas, work permits, and insurance. Find out through essential advice for gap years!

If you make a checklist in advance and prepare step by step, it will be a great help in obtaining essential materials for a safe gap year, starting with things you absolutely need to bring with you on your trip.

Passport / Visa / Permit
If you are going abroad, you need to check the expiration date of your passport. Some countries require a passport valid for more than 6 months, considering your planned gap year period, so be sure to check!
Please carefully check the requirements on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (http://www.mofa.go.kr) website or the embassy or consulate site of the country you wish to visit.

If you need to renew your passport, please plan accordingly considering the renewal period. For more detailed information, please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Passport Information website (http://www.passport.go.kr/).

Also, since the types of visas required by each country vary, you should check the visa requirements in advance with the consulate or embassy of each country you plan to visit. For internships or other work programs, you must obtain the relevant visa and work permit before departure. You can check the details required in the detailed description of the relevant program and the website of each country’s embassy.

Travel Insurance, Medical Insurance
Before taking a gap year, you can sign up for travel insurance and other insurance on your own. There are various types of insurance that cover the city and country you are going to, the activities you are planning to do, and the length of your stay, depending on the conditions and price. Most travel insurance policies are only valid for one month or may not cover adventurous travel, so you should check carefully. Also check if the insurance covers medical expenses, repatriation expenses, and dangerous sports activities. It is recommended that you bring essential insurance documents, including emergency phone numbers, with you.

Health Care
When planning a gap year, please refer to the health care information for the country you are going to. For information, please refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Overseas Travel Safety (http://www.0404.go.kr) or the Overseas Travel Disease Information Center (http://travelinfo.cdc.go.kr/).
You should visit a hospital at least 6 weeks before your trip and receive necessary vaccinations or anti-malaria medication. If you are currently taking any medication, check if it is legal in the country you will be visiting and bring a doctor’s opinion if necessary.

Safety
You can check the travel guidelines for the country you wish to visit through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Overseas Travel Safety (http://www.0404.go.kr) website. If you record the contact information of the Korean consulate in the country where you plan to spend your gap year, it will be useful if you encounter difficulties abroad. You can check the contact information for the Korean consulate in each country on each organization’s website.

Overseas Driving
You can get information about international driving permits on the Road Traffic Authority website (http://dl.koroad.or.kr/PAGE_license/view.jsp?code=101406). Find out about the countries where international driving permits are valid and how to get an international driving permit, as well as other information about international driving permits.

Contacting Us
Internet
You can write about your gap year experiences on the Internet, update your friends and family, and create a travel blog on portal sites like Naver or Daum.

Social networking sites can be very useful for communicating where you are and what you are doing. You can also communicate with other gap yearers and travelers.

Mobile Phones
Most mobile phones can make international calls, although they cost a little more. If you plan to stay in a country for a long time, the cheapest way is to buy a SIM card for that country or region. You can also use prepaid phone cards that can be used internationally.

Things to prepare
When you are packing or preparing for a gap year, it is not good to pack too much. Check the gap year checklist in advance to see what you need for a gap year! The type and amount of items may vary depending on the individual, but it is best to carefully prepare only the necessary items. It is recommended to prepare an ISIC (International Student Identity Card) international student ID card and a discount card such as a YHA (Youth Hostel Association) card.

To prevent theft or loss, copy necessary information such as flight ticket information, passport, insurance certificate, and emergency phone number in advance, and also write down a contact number in case you lose your mobile phone.