Despite the recent spate of tragedies involving gap year students, a well-planned break is still well worth the risk, it has been claimed today (August 11th).
Students Laurent Bonomo and Gabriel Perez were recently stabbed to death in London, while a bus crash in Ecuador in April claimed the lives of four gappers.
In addition, British teenagers Scarlett Keeling and Cara Marie Burke have also lost their lives in Goa and Brazil respectively.
But despite the undoubted hazards associated with travelling in an unfamiliar place, the founder of a leading travel website has explained that a gap year can have a hugely positive influence on someone's life.
Tom Griffiths, who established Gapyear.com, told the Independent: "Nowadays there is a well-trodden backpacker route and close to two million 18-30 year-olds take it annually.
"Statistics from 2001 indicated that it was safer to take a gap year than to go to university.
"We are part of a global economy and we need to understand that and be part of it."
Mr Griffiths also added that it is essential that gappers ensure they have backpacker travel insurance and medical insurance in place before they head off on their trip.
