Taking a gap year has become increasingly popular for students from the United Kingdom. In the past, it may have been the preserve of the privileged few, but nowadays, it is almost seen as obligatory amongst the student population.
Australia is a firm favourite with those people looking to take a gap year, as we speak the same language, have a shared past due to the British Empire and it is possible to work there on a fairly easy to obtain working visa.
Gap year travel can be a lot of fun, and can also be quite character building. If you are thinking about it yourself, you should be aware that things can and do occasionally go wrong though. One such thing that can happen, is that you may become quite ill whilst on the road. This means that it is especially important to have adequate medical insurance to cover the duration of your trip.
We take for granted in the UK that we have the National Health Service to take care for all our needs, but it is only when abroad that one becomes aware of just how unique it is. Most countries operate a system where the patient is required to pay. Therefore, it is important to make sure that any health insurance that you have can cover any expenses that may be incurred.
The chances are, that you will never fall ill and never need to use it. However, it is one of those things that you should purchase when planning your gap year trip.