So, you're thinking of taking a gap year. Yet, knowing you, it can't just be any ‘ole gap year! You’re the dude who goes above and beyond and left when everyone goes right. You live for the unconventional and crave out of this world experiences. When it comes to travel, crazy-fun college gap year ideas are right up your alley. Welp, you’re in the right place! There are tons of mind-blowing things to do during a gap year to get you the adventure you’re itching for. Here’s our cray but fun gap year suggestions, chock full of the zest and meaningful travel you need!
First, let’s review. Here are popular types of college gap year programs
Cheating in Scrabble aside, that’s pretty much the idea!
So, yea. Get hyyyped! There are tons of insanely badassical and cool college gap year ideas. We’re talking crazy gap year ideas that’ll get your adrenaline pumping. First, here’s a quick refresher on the basic types of gap years you can do.
- Volunteer. Youth development, women’s empowerment, ESL, environmentalism. How do you want to make the world a better place? If giving back is priority numero uno for you, then volunteer college gap year ideas are the way to go.
- Adventure travel. Does your heart jump at the thought of exploration and globetrotting? Then look into adventure travel gap year ideas. You can trek up South Africa’s tallest mountain or zipline through the jungles of Thailand. There are endless gap year possibilities that will have you delving into the world’s most exhilarating locales.
- Work. Ready to kick off college gap year travel AND make some bank while you’re at it? If you’re worried about dough during your travels, definitely consider work college gap year ideas. You can totally make bank while traversing the world.
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Crazy-fun college gap year ideas!
Didn’t think you could take a college gap year? TouCAN!
So, now you’re hip to the kinds of college gap year travel that’s out there. However, you did say you wanted a gap year that was all that and a bag of chips. Drumroll please! Here’s our picks for the most crunk college gap year travel ideas around.
1. Circle the world
Did you think globetrotting was something only celebs and fancy Nat Geo travel writers could do? Think again. You can be super cool too and ohh... just hit up a couple of continents on your gap year! That’s right. There are loads of college gap year travel programs that will have you circling the globe in less than a year—or even a semester (google “gap semester ideas” if you don’t believe us)! You'll spend a few weeks in a different country doing anything from volunteering, sightseeing, cultural exploration, language and educational development, and more. Talk about uniquely cool gap year possibilities. Come on, does world travel get any more dope that this?!
Recommended programs:
- Cross Cultural Solutions
- Winterline Global Education
2. Dive and surf around the coast of Africa
Start a new kind of school on your scuba diving gap year adventure.
Are you an aqua lover with a passion for marine conservation? Then imagine swimming under the crystal clear waters of the biodiversity haven that is Madagascar. You can get your divemaster qualification on this East African island nation as you learn how to protect marine life.
Or maybe southern Africa has been calling your name. Plus, you’re a surfer dude with a love for empowering kids. You can spend your gap year teaching kids how to surf, sand board, swim, and more on the exquisite beaches of Cape Town, South Africa. Turn that surfboard into a tool for empowerment as you help disadvantaged kids spend time doing positive stuff after school lets out.
Yup. You can totally spend your gap year swimming through the waters around Africa. And when you’re not saving the water world, you’ll be exploring local culture and life above ground.
Recommended programs:
3. Get ski or snowboard certified or work at a snowy resort
Need a lift to your gap year?
Whooosh! That’s the sound of you whizzing down a frosty mountainside during your wicked winter gap year program. Are you a winter baby ready to make some bucks working in the Alps? One of the coolest (pun intended) college gap year ideas is getting your ski or snowboard certification. You’ll be living and learning downhill sports at a cozy world class resort (think stunning slopes in Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, or Canada!). And your certification can come with a guaranteed ski or snowboarding job once you’re done training! On top of that, you’ll socialize with fellow students as you relax those skier's knees in the resort town nightlife.
Recommended programs:
4. Fight climate change
Now, you may not be feeling the effects of climate change, but plenty of folks around the world are. From eroding coastlines, to droughts and disappearing habitats, global warming is no joke! The good news is, with a little active involvement you can help to combat it. Gap in a tropical Costa Rican forest, researching how the planet’s changing environment is hurting wildlife. You and fellow volunteers will observe the lifestyles of turtles, pumas, monkeys, and potentially the over 500,000 other species that live in Costa Rica—a biodiversity hub.
Or head to the Seychelles and help save climate change endangered species like sea turtles. Projects to study wildlife conservation operate year round and you’ll have plenty of time for snorkeling! So consider super impactful but cool college gap year ideas. You'll be making a difference for the future generations of mother Earth.
Recommended programs:
- Fruit Tree Planting Foundation
- Outward Bound Costa Rica
5. Brush up your journalism skills in a tropical paradise
Capture paradise with journalism gap year programs.
Ever thought of studying journalism under coconut trees on a beach? Oh yea, you totally can! Now, the stereotype of college gap year ideas might be loungin’ by the pool. However, with journalism internship programs in Fiji and Belize, you can report on volunteer work, develop web content, write articles, take pics, blog, and vlog. You could even score an internship at a popular Fiji magazine covering everything from politics to sports news. And, if travel journalism is your love, these beachy locales are the perfect college gap year ideas to get your foot in the door.
Recommended program:
6. Volunteer as a guide in the South African bush
How epic does spending a gap year working on a South African game serve sound?! This incredible college gap year travel will have you knee deep with the Big Five. You’ll be feeding lions and their cubs, rehabilitating snakes, and cleaning up after elephants. You might even be asked to keep an eye on the park fence so the animals don’t get out! Oh, and while you’re helping the chief guide keep the reserve up to snuff? You could be working towards getting a first aid certificate and a level one South African field guide certification. It will be proof of your training in ethical and safe practices in nature guide work. You'll be on your way to becoming a top notch nature guide or tourism expert!
Recommended program:
7. Make money while teaching English in the jungles of Asia
Are you a lover of everything tropical, beachy, and lush? Then head to Thailand or Vietnam for PAID English teaching gap year jobs in the jungle! You can work at a school helping kids develop their language skills. Or, work with Buddhist monks looking to brush up their English. What’s more? Teaching jobs in these Asian locales often pay salaries of several hundred dollars to more than a grand a month. That means, between the free housing many Asian English teach abroad programs offer and the low cost of living, you won’t go broke! And when you get bored with the jungle (seriously doubt that will happen!), they’ll be plenty of ancient temples, winding markets, and mouth-watering meals to get into.
Recommended programs:
These programs in South Africa aren’t bush league.
So, how do I kickstart these amazing college gap year ideas into action?
Brainstorm top caraazy-fun college gap year ideas and pick a program. Decide what kinds of college gap year ideas and destinations fit your interests best. No, really—jot down all your crazy gap year ideas. Then match your feelings up with the right gap year programs.
[Check out this infographic: 5 Best Gap Year Destinations RN]
Now, you can google phrases like “what to do during a gap semester” and “things to do during a gap year.” Although, the interwebs get overwhelming reeeal quick! So, for help narrowing down options, use our MyGoAbroad tool. Or, contact our online advisors. They’ll match you up with five to six vetted programs. Then, pick your fav program and apply!
Start budgeting and saving. Alrighty. It’s time to evaluate the costs of your choice gap year program. Realizing you’re running low on travel funds? Apply to scholarships, get a side gig and save, or fundraise the money using FundMyTravel.
Finalize your pre-departure deets. Time to get the 411 on stuff like visas and any needed immunizations. Hit up your program advisor for all the info!
Pack up and go! Now it’s time to start a packin’! Chat with former gappers and program supervisors for useful packing tips. Lastly, pack away any fears and get amped for your trip of a lifetime!
These college gap year ideas are just scratching the surface
Don’t just noodle around for your gap year—teach English abroad. (While still eating noodles #treatphoself).
No matter what you end up doing, college gap year travel is going to blow. your. mind. As you can see, there are super exciting gap year possibilities for literally every type of traveler. Considering gap semester ideas? Racking your brain over things to do during a gap year? Now, you’ve got our dope gap year suggestions. So, start your planning now and live your wildest gap year life to the fullest!
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