Organizations: for outdoor activities and sports

What is surfing abroad?

• Surfing involves moving across the water on a surfboard
• There are several sub-disciplines within surfing:
  • wave surfing: in wave surfing, you balance on your surfboard while moving across a wave. Wave surfing is done at sea.
  • Windsurfing: in windsurfing, a sail is mounted on the board, which the windsurfer controls while standing on the board. Windsurfing does not necessarily require waves (but it does require wind), so it can be done both at sea and on larger lakes.
  • Kitesurfing: In kitesurfing, you stand on a surfboard but are pulled along by a kite that you try to keep in the air yourself.
  • Stand-up paddleboarding: Standing on a paddleboard, you paddle across the water, usually at a relaxed pace.

What are the dangers of surfing abroad?

• Many of the dangers of surfing are similar to those of other water sports at sea: drowning, exhaustion, and hypothermia are always a risk, especially if you are poorly prepared.
• Take the time to ‘read’ the sea. Where do the waves break, where does the water flow back (rip currents!), how do other beachgoers and surfers behave?
• Don't go out into the sea alone; make sure there are people around you who can help you or call for help if you get into trouble.
• Read more about the risks of surfing and how to mimimize it

Where are the best places to go if you want to surf and have an unforgettable experience?

• Portugal: Not far from Lisbon, there are several surf spots for beginners and advanced surfers, such as Costa da Caparica, Peniche, and Baleal.
• Spain: For example, Oyambre and Zarautz on the north coast.
• Ecuador: Combine surfing in pleasantly warm water with lively parties in Montañtia.
• Sri Lanka: Take a look at Midigama or Unawatuna.
• Costa Rica: Practice your Spanish lessons from a surfboard in Puerto Viejo.
• Morocco: In and around Taghazout, you can spend the winter surfing between September and May. In Dakhla kitesurfing/windsurfing is great.
• South Africa: Ideal conditions can always be found somewhere, but don't forget to check whether the local waves suit your level.
• Brazil: Jericoacoara is a former hippie village with good conditions for kite surfing and wind surfing
• Dominican Republic: Carribean vibe and all kinds of surf options around the island

What is a waterfall?

• A waterfall is a point in a river or meltwater stream where water flows down a vertical slope or series of steep slopes.
• Most waterfalls are formed where a hard rock transitions to a softer rock. The faster wear of the soft rock creates a difference in elevation, and that difference in elevation causes the water to come over those soft rocks even harder and faster, accelerating the process itself

Which waterfalls are among the most beautiful waterfalls in the world?

• Angel Falls: Venezuela: the water falls down so long that it often doesn't even touch the bottom
• Ban Gioc-Detian Falls, Vietnam and China: great difference in experience between dry season and rainy season
• Gullfoss: Iceland
• Iguazu, Argentina and Brazil: can be visited by hiking or by boat trip
• Niagara Falls, USA and Canada
• Plitvice, Croatia: a system of small waterfalls that ends in a turquoise lake
• Tukad Cepung, Bali: in a cave with beautiful light
• Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Zambia: in summer you can swim here in devils pool but the falls are a lot smaller
• Patagonia, Argentina: on various locations there are opportunities to see and even climb ice waterfalls

What should you think about when visiting a waterfall?

• the season: not every waterfall is active all year round. In the rainy season some waterfalls are extra impressive, while others lose charm due to the muddy water flow
• swimming gear: check with tours in advance if swimming is possible, with water shoes you will gain some comfort and have less chance of broken soles

Is a waterfall dangerous to visit?

• At the largest waterfalls, the area is usually pretty strictly set up for visitors. As long as you do not climb over the fences for special selfies, it is safe
• At smaller and remote waterfalls and seasonal waterfalls, there is usually no supervision and you will have to judge for yourself how close you can get
• At the top, just before the waterfall, the current is extra strong and sucks you towards the abyss. That's also where people often get sucked underwater against rocks and tree trunks.
• Especially in the rainy season or even after a short upstream rainstorm, waterfalls can carry quite a lot of branches, pebbles and rocks in addition to extra water. An idyllic shower under the waterfall then suddenly turns out differently
• When you swim under a waterfall it can push you down by the weight of the water and the white water under the waterfall gives much less buoyancy. Do not be alarmed and swim to the side to get out of the current
• Jumping off a waterfall gives a special feeling, but in unfamiliar territory it is wise to check whether, for example, the water level at that moment allows you to jump safely.

What is the northern lights?

• The northern lights, also known as aurora or polar lights, are a natural phenomenon best seen in northern Europe, Russia and Canada
• The northern lights occur when charged particles from the sun are guided by Earth’s magnetic field into the upper atmosphere near the poles

What is the southern lights?

• For its counterpart in the south, the southern lights (Aurora australis), good viewing locations are rarer. In winter, Antarctica is the best place, but because of the climate, you can't really go there.
• Therefore, the southernmost inhabited, approachable places to see the southern lights are Tasmania and the far south of New Zealand

When is the best time to see the northern lights?

• Because it never gets dark in the far north and deep south during the summer months, you can see the northern lights particularly well in winter and late fall.
• Aurora is difficult to predict and especially the most intense varieties with lots of action and various colors are rare.
• To increase your chances of seeing the northern lights, it is best to travel to places with few clouds (for example, the interior of Lapland)
• In tourist resorts, a few people often keep watch and then wake sleeping tourists as soon as the northern lights are visible.

Why should you go see the Northern Lights for yourself?

• Because of the many online photos with long shutter speeds, seeing the northern lights can turn out to be a deception.
• What you see in real life is usually a green glow that sometimes moves slightly.
• In contrast, the truly spectacular northern lights are an experience you absolutely cannot capture with a photograph.
• The colors purple, green and pink dance through the sky in all sorts of rapidly changing formations.
• If you want to see this during a week in Lapland, you'll need some luck.

Is a trip to the northern lights dangerous?

• The northern light itself is not dangerous.
• Because the best places to see the northern lights are often quite cold and snowy, hypothermia is a risk to consider.
• What some also need to watch out for are high expectations; as with most natural phenomena, reality can be quite different from that ultimate photo used by your hotel, travel agent or favorite influencer. 

Gap year around the world and abroad

Table of content

Gap year abroad: questions and answers about the work and locations

• What is taking a gap year abroad like?
• What are the reasons for taking a gap year abroad?
• What skills and motivations do you need when taking a gap year abroad?
• What are the best countries and locations to take a gap year abroad?
• What are the risks of taking a gap year abroad, and are you insured against those risks?

Taking a gap year abroad: related organizations

• Organizations: for taking a gap year abroad.
• Gap year abroad: jobs in the spotlight.