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Gap Year Programs

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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Top Gap Year Providers

Wanderlust Exchange

Featured Provider of the Month

Career Development in China: Build Your Future
with Wanderlust Exchange

Featured Gap Year Opportunities

This Month’s Recommended Gap Year Programs

Seamester Study Abroad at Sea
9.67103 reviews

Seamester Study Abroad at Sea

Seamester Study Abroad at Sea logo
Seamester Study Abroad and Gap Year Voyages

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...

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
9.541900 reviews

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] logo
Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—fro...

The Intern Group
9.34570 reviews

The Intern Group

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International Internship Programs in Colombia

The Intern Group is the leading provider of internship programs in the emerging market of Colombia! We provide international students with internships in top private companies, NGOs, and state ministries. Our programs are regularly featured on CNN Inte...

Tidelines Institute
00 reviews

Tidelines Institute

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The Glacier Bay Semester in Civic & Environmental Leadership

Immerse yourself in the communities and wildlands of Southeast Alaska, home to tidewater glaciers, flower-strewn meadows, humpback whales, and brown bears. The Glacier Bay Semester is an opportunity for young people ages 18-24 to grow as leaders, commu...

Impact Gap Year
9.6718 reviews

Impact Gap Year

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South Africa, France and Thailand Gap Year Exploration

Explore the dream destinations of South Africa, France, and Thailand on a comprehensive 6-month journey. Experience an exceptional blend of cultural immersion, wildlife conservation, and community involvement.You'll start your journey by contributing t...

Wanderlust Exchange
9.0469 reviews

Wanderlust Exchange

Wanderlust Exchange  logo
Cultural Ambassador Summer Program

The Cultural Ambassador Summer Program 2025 is your gateway to an immersive cultural adventure in China. Designed exclusively for students from English-speaking countries studying at one of the QS top 200 universities, this program offers a unique two ...

Gapforce
9.23140 reviews

Gapforce

Gapforce logo
South America Explorer with Gapforce

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
9.52650 reviews

MAXIMO NIVEL

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Country Jumper Gap Year - Costa Rica | Guatemala | Peru

In three of the world's most beautiful countries—Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru—Maximo Nivel offers its unique Native Spanish Program.Join our "Country Jumper" program and begin your GAP Year in one of our countries and then jump to another and anothe...

Go Abroad China Ltd.
9.57348 reviews

Go Abroad China Ltd.

Go Abroad China Ltd. logo
GAC Gap Year Learn Chinese & Internship in China Program

Are you seeking meaningful activities that you can take on during the all-too-important gap year? Join our program at Go Abroad China, we have solid experience in helping students make informed decisions and research about the next step in their career...

How to Take a Gap Year

Popular Providers

Frequently Asked Questions

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 why you should take a gap year include educational opportunities, work experience, global perspectives, and personal growth.

To take a gap year, you should set goals for what you want to accomplish during your time off and what 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 are to study a new language, backpack through a country, work in a hostel, or volunteer 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.

Latest Program Reviews

An incredible gap year experience in Cape Town

July 09, 2025by: Alex Schmidek - United StatesProgram: Gap Year Internship Program in Cape Town with VACorps
10

I chose Cape Town because I had heard incredible things about its culture and natural beauty. I wanted to improve my surfing and gain more independence before starting college. I also saw an internship as a great way to experience the workforce and learn what it’s like to live and work on my own. What I loved most was the community I found at my internship. The people I worked with were incredibly friendly and welcoming, and over time, they became good friends. I learned that I bring a strong presence to any space and that I’m confident and capable on my own. I’ll never forget surfing with my colleagues and the braai we had together after work one evening — or the many fun nights spent with others in the program. Our weekend getaway to Hermanus is another memory I’ll cherish forever. I stayed in Cape Town from approximately January 5th to March 5th. I’d recommend staying for at least two to three months — no less. The first week or two can be an adjustment, especially when it comes to the food, but just be prepared and give it time. The VACorps staff were amazing — always friendly, quick to help, and full of great recommendations. I really enjoyed the weekly activities, and I appreciated that while we had support when needed, we also had plenty of independence. I’m so grateful for everything this experience gave me.

Latest Interviews

Vivianne Kaiwei Zhang Wei

Vivianne Kaiwei Zhang Wei

Wanderlust Exchange

Alumni

I was looking to take a gap year between my undergraduate and Master’s studies, and going to China just made sense to me.

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Caoimhe Flood

Caoimhe Flood

EF Gap Year

Alumni

I have always loved to travel and this opportunity gave me the chance to explore places I have never been before. I also wanted to travel while I was ...

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Recent Gap Year Articles