Young women are more adventurous than young men when traveling abroad in gap years. One in three female backpackers visits more than three countries during a year out and travels alone, according to new research. 

By contrast, the majority of their male counterparts visit only one country and tend to travel in groups, says a survey by the Gap Year company, which provides information and services for students considering taking a year out. 

More women than men say that their prime reason for taking time off is to see the world and experience different cultures. Men were more likely to rank "having fun" higher on their list of priorities. Women were more likely to value the challenge of a foreign trip, and many cited reasons such as learning a language and meeting new people. 

The more adventurous gap years taken by women seem to work to their benefit: more than three quarters of those surveyed reported increased confidence, self-reliance and independence, whereas only half of the men had that experience. 

The research also showed that women were more likely to do voluntary work while traveling, with more than one in ten helping with teaching or development projects. One of the reasons given for this is a wish to see the country in an authentic light. 

A greater proportion of women than men faced objections or criticism from their families over their gap-year plans. Among the men surveyed, lack of money was the main barrier to travel. 

Carolyn Martin, a doctor from London, was a typically confident female traveler. 

Starting in Cape Town, she traveled around southern Africa and Australia with a string of unusual and sometimes dangerous jobs. 

"I had one job chasing elephants off the runway in Africa by banging a stick against a pan," she recalled. "It was OK but one day I did get chased by one." 

She said that she had traveled alone because "you meet more people".
WHO DOES MORE THAN THE OTHER?
DOING WHAT?
IN WHAT AMOUNT OF TIME?
WHAT ARE THE LADIES CALLED?
FIRST PARAGRAPH "B"
THE LADY TRAVELERS ARE KNOWN AS BACK...
WHO DO THEY USUALLY GO WITH?
HOW MANY PLACES?
MEN GO TO HOW MANY
DO THEY GO SOLO
ACCORDING TO WHO
WHAT DO THEY GIVE
TO WHO
DECIDING TO DO WHAT
WHY DO LADIES TAKE TIME OFF
MORE LADIES OR GENTS
WHY DO THE GENTS
DO LADIES LIKE THE DIFFICULTY
WHAT IS LIKED ABOUT IT
Young women
Young women
traveling abroad
 traveling abroad
a year
a year
Young women
Young women
unknown
unknown
backpackers
backpackers
alone
alone
more than three countries
more than three countries
only one
only one
no
in groups
Gap Year company
 Gap Year company
information and services
information and services
students
students
taking a year out
taking a year out
to see the world
to see the world 
more ladies
More women
having fun
having fun
yes
voluntary work 
meeting more people
you meet more people