Editor’s note: This article is part of our Meaningful Travel Forecast series and official travel report for 2019. ☆ Are you thinking of taking a gap year? Maybe you’re thinking about taking a break before you jump back into a classroom setting, or you want to take a year to find yourself and explore the world. Regardless of your reasoning, you’ll find that your gap year options are endless. The best part? You’ll learn skills to take with you for the rest of your life—and potentially make some important discoveries about what you want to do in the future (self-enlightenment is a pretty baller gap year souvenir if you ask us).
Read the GoAbroad Official Report on the 10 Best Gap Year Destinations in 2019
There’s never been a better time to take a gap year than in 2019. The stigmas are wearing, the variety of opportunities and those fortunate to have the experience are rewarded with purposeful academic and career paths. But where should you go? Is one place “better” than another? Should you travel regionally or stay put in a single country?
These are the kinds of questions we asked our community of meaningful travelers, program administrators, and international education experts. And now, we’re excited to share our findings! Read on to learn our collective predictions for the 10 best gap year destinations in 2019.
The best places for a gap year in 2019
1. Australia
Thinking about visiting the land down under on your gap year? Spending your year in Australia will give you plenty of opportunities to explore the outback, visit kangaroos and koalas, or learn about the indigenous people of Australia. Whether you want to work as an au pair or want to volunteer to conserve the beautiful Australian environment, you’re sure to find the perfect program for you (and you’ll get to spend some koalaty time in a beautiful place)!
- GoAbroad’s program pick: CISabroad's Internships in Australia
- Traveler’s program pick: Grabatour Adventure Travel
Want something more off-the-beaten path for your gap year? All destinations in Africa seem to be hot, in particular new destinations outside Ghana and Kenya. Be a gap year trend-setter in 2019!—Troy Peden, GoAbroad Founder
2. England
If you’re a fan of the royal family, tea, Harry Potter, or the British accent in general, be sure to consider England as a gap year destination for you! What makes England one of the top gap year destinations is the versatility of its cities, and its programs. As England is home to some of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world, you could consider spending your gap year developing your future academic applications in Oxford or you can get a customized internship to fit your personal desires. Can you smell the fish n’ chips in the air? Well get used to it! There’s plenty more where that comes from when you’re spending your gap year in England!
- Traveler’s program pick: API in London or Oxford
3. New Zealand
The land of Hobbiton, and the famous Haka dance, New Zealand is definitely one of the top places to go on a gap year. Here, you can volunteer, work, or just explore the beautiful landscapes this country has to offer. Maybe you want to become a ski or snowboard instructor or run through the hills screaming “I’m going on an adventure!” No matter how you want to spend your gap year, NZ is the place to step out of your comfort zone, and is definitely a top gap year destination.
- GoAbroad’s program pick: ELI Abroad
- Traveler’s program pick: Carpe Diem Education's South Pacific Program
While we [Colombia College Chicago] still have students interested in short-term faculty-led programs, we're pleased and encouraged by students seeking semester and even year-long exchange programs that allow them to have a more meaningful and immersive international academic experience.—David Comp
4. Multi-Country
Even though there are so many great places to go on a gap year, you may not be able to choose just ONE. If that’s the case for you, why not check out options for gap years in multiple countries! You could immerse yourself in Central America, or even spend a semester at sea (ever wanted to live the suite life of Zack and Cody on deck??) - the opportunities are truly endless. The best part about doing a gap year in multiple countries is that there is no wrong answer for how you can organize your year, and many gap year countries you can visit, so get planning and have fun!
- GoAbroad’s program pick: Winterline Global Education
- Traveler’s program pick: Semester at Sea
5. Ireland
Ready to have some craic during your gap year? One of the best places to go on a gap year is Ireland. With its Guinness brewery, endless pubs, and green scenery, you can’t go wrong with spending your gap year in the Emerald Isle. If you’ve graduated college, you can partake in a working holiday, but fear not, there are plenty of options for those of you whose gap year is falling before college is over (or aren’t at that stage of your life currently). Not to mention, you’ll get to spend St. Paddy’s day in the real home of Saint Patrick and in no time at all, you’ll be dublin over with laughter at how much of a good time you’re having!
- Traveler’s program pick: USIT in Cork, Dublin, or Galway
6. Thailand
Thailand is definitely high among gap year destinations as it is a popular hub of Southeast Asia, and a hot tourist destination too! If you’re an animal enthusiast, you can volunteer to help conserve the elephants, or if working with children is more your calling, you can teach English as well. In Thailand, you can ride a tuk-tuk, learn how to make pad thai, backpack around, or spend some time relaxing on the beaches. No matter how you choose to spend your time in Thailand, you’ll quickly realize why it is one of the best places to go on a gap year!
- GoAbroad’s program pick: Gapforce
- Traveler’s program pick: Thinking Beyond Borders
7. Costa Rica
Are you interested in living la pura vida while on your gap year? Look no further than Costa Rica, then! With its beaches, volcanoes, and immense biodiversity, it’s no surprise that this is one of the best places for a gap year. If you’re looking to improve your Spanish, while living somewhere with a fabulous climate, and neighborly people, you’re looking at the right gap year country. This top gap year destination is filled with adventure travel opportunities, and will allow you to spread your wings (quite literally if you’re into ziplining).
- GoAbroad’s program pick: Maximo Nivel
- Traveler’s program pick: Outward Bound Costa Rica
8. Italy
Ever fancied a visit to a country shaped like a boot, famous for its gelato, pizza, and spaghetti? One of the best places for a gap year for delicious food, adventure, and scenery is Italy, and you’ll certainly never go hungry there! If you’re TEFL certified, you can teach English, but even if you’re not, there’s no shortage of things to do in this country. You can explore the countless art museums, sit by the Mediterranean, or improve your knowledge of Italian (a romance language, so one might say the true language of love). Be careful though, this gap year country is sure to steal a pizza your heart before your year is through!
- Traveler’s program pick: John Cabot University
9. Japan
Whether you’re looking to learn more about the top technological advances of our day, visit ancient temples, or immerse yourself in the Japanese culture, a great gap year destination for you is Japan. Maybe you’ve always dreamt about learning Japanese, or maybe you want to see all the country has to offer as you backpack through the beautiful landscapes. By the time your gap year comes to an end, your love for this top gap year destination will be bigger than Mount Fuji, and that’s saying a lot!
- GoAbroad’s program pick: Asia Internship Program
- Traveler’s program pick: EA Ski & Snowboard Winter Gap Year
Asia is officially on the gap year map as more students seek alternative second-languages and diverse experiences in unfamiliar cultures. I foresee gap year programming in Asia to grow exponentially in 2019.—Megan Lee, former Gap Year Program Leader
10. France
Voulez-vous prendre un gap year en France? From Paris to the French Riviera, this hexagonal country is one of the best gap year destinations, and you’re certain to learn all about yourself, food, and the culture in your year exploring the country. Like many gap year countries, France is a popular place to teach English, but you could also spend your time devouring baguettes, walking along the Seine, or checking out the movie stars in Cannes! Get used to morning breakfasts of croissants, and embracing your inner French side, but can you really complain about that??
- Traveler’s program pick: IPSL in Montpelier
[Browse ALL Gap Year Destinations]
Next steps to book gap year programs
Here are handful of resources to get you started on your very own gap year journey. 2019 could be YOUR year to travel—and we can help make it happen! Get free program recommendations that match your travel goals, or use MyGoAbroad to bookmark and compare program options with confidence.
Still hungry for more? Bookmark these bad boys:
Gap Year Inspiration
Program Selection Advice
- 5 Best Gap Year Programs in 2019
- How to Choose Between Gap Year Programs
- Short & Sweet Gap Year Summer Programs
Paying for Your Gap Year
[Get Matched with 5 Gap Year Programs for FREE]
Participate in programs in the best places to go on a gap year this year!
You’re one step closer to the gap year of your dreams.
There you have it, friends: the 10 best gap year destinations in 2019! Whether you’ve just started thinking about your future gap year adventure, or are in the throngs of your decision making, the possibilities for gap year destinations are mind-bogglingly endless. Regardless of whether you choose this year’s best place for a gap year, or just the top gap year destination for you, the perfect way to spend your gap year is out there, waiting for you to find it!
If you’re still stuck thinking “how could I possibly choose between all these gap year countries and programs,” check out GoAbroad’s vast list of programs suited for any focus, or any country. Even though there are so many places to go on a gap year, it’s important that you choose the one that suits your needs, and goals, the best. When you find the one that’s just right for you, your gap year will be well worth remembering, and get you *that* much more prepared for the next phase in your life.
View MORE of the 2019 Meaningful Travel Forecast Here
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