Whether it’s just after graduation from university or between jobs, taking a gap year to travel is one of the most rewarding and memorable ways to spend your time. But for some people, the biggest concern is not where to go but why to go.

We here at Tripbase are all strong believers in the amazing power of travel so we decided to put together a list of reasons why you should not waste your life working and should take a gap year.

Here are our top 5 reasons to hit the road.

5. You can afford it. People often think that travel is expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Buying flexible, round-the-world tickets in advance lowers airfare costs and there are many countries in the world where you can survive comfortably on as little as $10 a day. In fact, traveling the world can often cost less than monthly rent at home. Before you go, plan a budget based on average costs and then make sure you have some extra padding for splurging.

4. You can handle it alone. Traveling with friends has advantages but it also means you’re tied to other people’s itineraries. Consider going solo. Traveling alone gives you more opportunities to meet interesting people along the way. Although there may be times when you’ll feel lonely and you do need to take extra precautions for safety and health care, it’s extremely rewarding to follow your own path. And there’s nothing like overcoming challenges without any help to boost self-confidence and inner strength.

3. Employers will see it as a benefit. Anyone who spends time traveling will see the world through new lenses. Employers often see this as more of an advantage than a disadvantage, even if it’s between career moves. As long as you don’t show up for job interviews wearing your favorite road gear without washing your hair for a few days, potential employers will often see your travels as a positive experience that makes you a more well-rounded person, especially if you have learned some important life lessons and are prepared to discuss them in the interview.

2. A year traveling is an opportunity to expand your horizons. The choices include backpacking, volunteering, working abroad, teaching English, and learning new languages in immersion programs…the list is endless. No matter what you decide to do, it is likely to be one of the best years of your life. Spend some time thinking about what you enjoy doing and try to incorporate that into your travels. Starting in a volunteer setting with an organized structure could be a good way to ease into it, but make sure you get out there and see the world too.

1. It doesn’t get any easier to go. The older you get, the harder it gets to pick up and take off for a year. Later in life there are children and mortgages and other responsibilities. There’s nothing like hitting the open road while you’re unfettered and free. Do it while you can. As some unknown wise man once said, you usually regret the things in life that you didn’t do and not the ones you did.

If you’re been on a gap year or you’re on one now, drop us a comment to tell us what you think of the experience too. We’d love to hear from you.

China
It seems innocent enough—you found a fantastic green hat at the market and want to give it to a Chinese friend or host as way of expressing gratitude for his boundless hospitality. Don’t do it! Giving a green hat to a Chinese man is the equivalent of calling him a cuckold… not only does this insult him, it also insults his wife.

Argentina and Chile
The simple act of pouring a glass of wine is fraught with nuances that are unknown to the uninitiated. No matter how much you want to refill the glass of the gorgeous woman or man next to you, this is a task that is best left to the host… otherwise you could make a major faux pas (and ruin your chances with the subject of admiration for good).

Hawaii
Surfing the waves without the skills can get you into more than deep waters… it can get you into deep trouble in this part of the world, where people take surfing pretty seriously. Breach this one and you’re sure to receive some not-so-friendly nicknames… or maybe even a beating.

Italy
Listening attentively while someone is talking is a major insult because it communicates a lack of interest. How do you show that you’re interested and enthusiastic about the conversation? By interrupting it—again and again.

Australia
Thought you were going to impress the locals with the accent and slang you picked up from Steve Irwin on the Crocodile Hunter? Think again. Pepper your language with too many “mate”s and you’ll find that you have none. Krikey!

Thailand
It is important to be aware of your feet and the heads of those around you. We’re not talking about kick-boxing here… we’re talking about etiquette. In Thailand, the feet are considered to be very dirty—they oughtn’t to be pointed at anyone, and certainly not a Buddha. If you are checking out a temple, be sure to remove your shoes and when you sit, tuck your feet under you so as not to direct these filthy offensive appendages at the Buddha, or the worshippers around you. And definitely don’t touch anyone’s head—the highest spot on the body is also the holiest. It is extremely insulting to touch someone’s head without permission and we’ve heard of fist-fights breaking out in response to head touching.

France
Never, ever give chrysanthemums to someone. What harm can there be in giving flowers? In France, these particular blooms are most closely associated with funerals. So, why not buy those yellow roses, instead? That’s a no-no, too—the color hints at the possibility that the husband is engaging in extramarital activities.

The Dominican Republic
Punctuality is not appreciated here. Better said—don’t arrive “on time” and then ask others why they’re late. Being late is being on time. If someone says they’ll meet you at ten, what they really mean is that they’ll meet you sometime close to eleven. Don’t piss them off by showing up at ten and then getting angry and laying into them… make like a local and arrive fashionably late, too.

Syria
Not thirsty? Well, drink up anyways. If you are a visitor in someone’s home and are offered a drink or food and you decline, chances are you have offended your host. This holds true for much of the Middle East. When in doubt, just say yes.

The United States and Canada
Many foreigners find North Americans to be rude and feel they’re lacking in manners. On the contrary, North Americans obey a complex set of social codes that reflect a variety of cultural influences and that vary according to the situation and the people involved. The smallest behaviors can have overtones or politeness or, conversely, rudeness… and you’re sometimes walking a fine line between the two. For example, making not enough eye-contact while talking is considered to be very disrespectful, however, making too much eye contact is considered to be aggressive.