Gap Year

I am 18 and doing Year 12 at the moment in Australia and I very much want to spend next year in Latin America, before I do univercity, mostly to learn another language (I dont speak spanish) but also to have fun.

I have spoken to some people about it and the only person who has given me any real picture of what I want spent a year and a half traveling; all the career advisors give me 4 week program type things which cost ridiculus amounts, so its become obvious im going to have to figure it out another way.

I am thinking of going to Panama, but never being there or having any real picture of what the place is like im very open to any country in the region. I am probably going to be static for most of my trip, although I may travel somewhat in the later stages, so what would be a good location or city to base myself in?

At the time of writing, I have no money and Im hoping that once im there I can work, so really chances are I will wont have much more than the cost of a flight and possiby another $1000 spare, although mabe I will get lucky. My deadline is next april and one way or another Im going, even if I have to camp out at bus stations the whole time. I am also going to take spanish classes at a nightschool around the end of this year, and possibly get a TESOL certificate, so I could hypotheticly teach english or something.

I guess I have no idea of how to do this and I would like to know, what do I have to do to make this work?
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Hi Sean,

If cash is an issue, I´d advise picking a country a bit cheaper than Panama... Panama uses the US Dollar, and as such is relatively expensive. Some of the cheaper Latin American countries include: Guatemala (its really set up for people studying Spanish, and the people talk nice and slowly here too), Nicaragua (which is lovely and actually really safe despite what you might think!), Bolivia (really cheap, but a bit politically uncertain at the moment), and parts of Colombia.

You might want to avoid places like Costa Rica, Panama, Chile and Argentina, which though beautiful are lots pricier.

Cheers

Simon
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Hello Sean.

I am also from "downunder". I was planning to travel to South America with a couple of mates in 2009. We were planning on working 24/7 for half the year in Australia and travelling for a couple of months-September-November. I imagine we would fly in to Santiago and travel south to Patagonia and Tierra Del Fuego. From there we will travel through Argentina to Buenos Aires, through Bolivia, Peru and on to Equador, flying out from Quitto. If you are interested, or any of your friends, just "post" back. Reply to this

hey,

I am going on a gap year with my friend next october and I was wondering if any one had any ideas about the best the places for us to go!
last summer we went on a world challenge expedition to northern Peru and it opened our eyes to travelling.
this will be our first time away for a long time we are thinking of going for 10 to 12 months!!! and we also want to do some project work!!
so if anyone has any ideas for us it would be useful to hear thanks.

thanks Hannah! Reply to this

I think I'm going to aim for Nicuagra. In terms of semi long term living, should I go to the capital? Also what would be a cheap way to live, like hotel, hostel, roomate, sidewalk, etc... Reply to this