Money worries hit student gap year

Money worries are turning the traditional gap year into more like the gap half-year, according to a survey.

The economic concerns are leading to a cutback in the amount of time British students stay abroad, the survey by social website Bebo found.

The financial difficulties also mean students visiting countries thought of as dangerous in order to make their money go further. Some travellers even lie to their parents about their actual whereabouts to avoid them worrying.

The survey. of 2,00 British students and post-graduates, also showed that solo trips are on the rise as is the age of those taking gap-year breaks.

The survey revealed available funds are the key factor for gap-year travellers, with 63% were planning to be away for a maximum of six months, and only 14% intending a full-year trip.

Average spending is around £4,000 with 40% trying to make do with forking out £1,000 to £3,000, the study found.

So-called "dangerous" countries such as Kenya, Columbia, Sri Lanka and Venezuela are among those being visited. And 27% of male travellers and 15% of women have told "white lies" about their actual destination.

Some 29% plan to travel alone, with the average age of travellers now 23. And 23% look for "love action" while away.

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