Luisa Rulfo
Baret Scholars
AlumniWhat inspired me to go abroad was a mix of restlessness and curiosity—a need to understand the world beyond my small orbit. I always sensed that life ...
Read Full InterviewGap Year Programs
Experience a year of growth! Spend your days exploring new places, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, and meeting lifelong friends.
Looking for the perfect balance between globetrotting and enlightenment? Take a gap year! Whether it’s a year off between high school and college (a healthy break from monotonous school life!), a gap year after college (which can give you time to figure out your next steps), or a gap year at literally any other time, it’ll be time well spent. Gap year programs are riddled with opportunities for personal growth, attainment of new skills, reevaluation of personal and career goals, and (of course) once-in-a-lifetime adventures.
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Discover who you are on the ultimate gap adventure! Sail the world!
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This Month’s Recommended Gap Year Programs
The Intern Group
4.61
705 reviews
Experience Medellin, Colombia’s most innovative city, through an international internship designed to advance your career. This program combines hands-on professional experience, global networking, and cultural immersion, giving students, recent gradua...
Gapforce
4.45
154 reviews
Visit two of South America’s most iconic countries—Peru and Ecuador—and discover the lost lands of the Incas! Start your adventure in South America with intensive Spanish lessons, then step up the adventure with an epic trek across the Andes to Machu P...
MAXIMO NIVEL
4.69
3272 reviews
Maximo Nivel’s Country Jumper Gap Year is a unique program that takes participants through an immersive experience in 3 of Latin America's most iconic countries! Explore Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru over 12, 24, or 36 weeks. All itineraries are full...
Go Abroad China Ltd.
4.7
574 reviews
Design a transformative gap year in China with Go Abroad China. For over two decades, we have expertly guided students to make informed career decisions while providing exciting, structured opportunities for exploration and growth. Our program allows y...
Seamester Study Abroad at Sea
4.65
123 reviews
Seamester is the educational adventure of a lifetime! For more than 40 years, we have offered unparalleled educational voyages where students spend a semester at sea sailing between islands, countries, and even continents. We design our programs to pro...
Global Work & Travel
4.94
50 reviews
Ever dreamed of living and working in Australia? Picture yourself exploring white sandy beaches, ancient rainforests, exotic wildlife and iconic cities, all while getting paid to travel. A working holiday in Australia is one of the best ways to experie...
Spanish Gap Year
4.38
13 reviews
This all-in-one semester begins with one month traveling Spain by train, followed by two months in Barcelona where you choose your pathway. You’ll build soft skills (communication, confidence, problem-solving), hard skills (Spanish, digital tools, cook...
Rooted Life Adventures
0
0 reviews
Participate in this gap year program in Queenstown, New Zealand, with therapeutic support for young adults ages 18-22.Spring | Feb 18 – Apr 28, 2025Fall | Sep 17 – Nov 25, 2025Embark on the ultimate gap year adventure with our transformative program, d...
How to Take a Gap Year
How to take a gap year
Not sure what a gap year even is? We don’t blame you—”gap year” has come to be somewhat of a blanket term for any extended period of time taken off away from home or “normal” life. The unstructured pursuit of personal growth abroad tends to be what defines a gap year. If you want to know how to do a gap year, here’s a general overview:
- Figure out why you want to take a gap year. Don’t set off on your life-changing journey without knowing what you want out of the experience. Do you want to learn a new language? Gain career skills? Just plain old immerse in a brand new place and culture? There’s no wrong way to take a gap year, but mapping out your gap year goals is a helpful first step.
- Decide when to go. There isn't a wrong time to take a gap year; it’s all about finding the right time for you. If you’re a recent high school graduate who has no clue what they want to study in college, your time will be better spent on a gap year abroad, getting a firsthand look at how the world works, and learning more about yourself and your wants. Or, if you’re about to graduate college and aren’t sure you actually chose the right field of study anymore, going on a gap year is a great way to take some time to figure it out, while still building skills and having one-of-a-kind experiences.
- Choose a gap year program. Booking a gap year program can be immensely helpful, especially if you plan to go to more than one destination. Gap year programs will help you sort out visas, find safe places to stay, and maybe even find you some paid work opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the questions travelers ask most
A gap year is an intentional break from school or work for travel. They traditionally last for a year or longer, but can be as short as one semester. Gap years are characterized by immense personal growth and education through travel.
It's a great idea to take a gap year, as they're highly beneficial to travelers of all ages. The best reasons to take a gap year include educational opportunities, work experience, global perspectives, and personal growth.
To take a gap year, set goals for what you want to accomplish during your time off and which parts of the world you want to see. Decide if you want to go after high school, during college, or after college, all of which are possibilities.
You can do so much on a gap year! Some ideas include studying a new language, backpacking through a country, working in a hostel, or volunteering on an organic farm. Be intentional and set goals, and think about how your plans factor into life after your gap year.
You can take a gap year after high school, during college, after college, or mid-career. The best time to take your gap year will depend on your personal and professional goals, as well as your budget and responsibilities.
The best places to take a gap year include New Zealand, Australia, and Ireland, as they offer working holiday opportunities for gappers. Other popular places are Southeast Asia and Western Europe.
It depends. If you make the most of your gap year and can add what you learned or experienced to a resume/CV, colleges will be more appreciative of your gap year. However, this varies from institution to institution.
You can take a year off during college for a gap year, or even a semester. The process for this will depend on your home university and whether or not your gap year can earn you college credit.
To plan a gap year, you'll need to know when you want to go, what you want to do, and which countries you want to see. These are all important steps in planning a gap year. MyGoAbroad can help get you started.
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Alisa Regassa
Tidelines Institute
AlumniI knew that Alaska was a place I'd wanted to visit—and visit meaningfully. I saw this opportunity, and it seemed like it was the perfect time and plac...
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