Once you know where you’ll be for your gap year in Asia, it’s time to figure out WHAT you’ll be doing.

Teach Abroad. With the influx of English-speaking tourists to the region, English is a highly sought-after skill. That’s why it’s easy to find opportunities to teach English abroad all over Asia. From more formal exchanges in countries like Korea and Japan where you get your own classroom, a killer salary, and some sweet school breaks, to more informal short-term teaching opportunities all over the big cities and small villages throughout Southeast Asia, if you have a firm grasp of the English language, you’ll have no trouble finding work here.

Adventure Travel. Regardless of what you choose to focus on during gap year programs in Asia, travel will certainly play a big part in it. You could easily spend months exploring the many countries in Asia, and luckily, with a lower cost of living compared to many western countries, you won’t break the bank doing it. There are tons of opportunities for group travel, backpacking, and solo retreats in the region. For active adventurers, you can hike, zipline, scuba, and surf. Don’t miss the opportunity to play with elephants and orangutans (ethically, of course)!