Gap Year Programs in Cambodia

My gap program with Dragons in China and Southeast Asia was truly a remarkable experience. Doing homestays in Cambodia, Laos, and China are experiences that I'll remember for the rest of my life. The instructors were excellent and managed to both challenge the group and make sure that everyone was always supported and had everything they needed. I learned a lot from their instruction, but the full immersion in local culture was my favorite part.

I had an even better time than I could have imagined. I met some amazing people and definitely made the most incredible memories. I feel like the trip was a good mixture of fun and also cultural enrichment. It was the perfect start to my gap year travels.

I did so many things and had so many experiences as well as making real friends that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do if it weren’t for the trip. The tour leader Callum was so cool and we all got along really well. The accommodation was nice and clean and you can just put it down to a cultural experience if anything ever went slightly wrong. I saw areas of the world that I had always dreamed of seeing but never actually thought I would and for a very reasonable price overall. On the whole I had a great and unforgettable time.

It was good fun. A good mixture of relaxing and busy, good to experience the culture and do things off the tourist track. I really enjoyed the volunteering part as it was good to experience more of the culture and do something which will actually benefit the community

Honestly was the trip of a lifetime, and something I will never forget! Gapforce were brilliant in addressing any concerns before and during the trip, and managed to create an itinerary which was fab (including most of the activities I wanted to do in South East Asia anyway!!). It was so lovely meeting people from all over the world and making friends for life.

this trip is the best thing I've had in my life so far, full of laughter, happiness and joy! on We had an unforgettable time with the locals and learnt an enormous amount about ourselves and about other countries and ways of life! We weren't forced into anything, we were safe and we had lots of free time! and for me, as I don't normally speak English, I learnt a lot and excelled myself! I can't see anything negative about this trip apart from the fact that I had to go back at the end... Best experience of my life!

This trip was so much better than I ever thought it could be! I was so nervous to travel across the world and meet a bunch of new people from all over - but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever taken. This trip was the perfect balance of exploring, cultural immersion, relaxing, adventure and so much more! It was planned really well and I’m so happy I was able to take part because without it I’m not sure I definitely would not have been able to see and experience the same things as I did. The tour guides were all so informative and fun and all the day trips were so interesting. I also loved that we were able to have days off to do whatever we wanted every now and then whether that was relaxing, shopping, exploring ect. Like I said before - the trip was balanced just right! I loved travelling in a group and I’m so happy to have met these wonderful people and hope to keep in contact and meet again soon! I highly recommend this to anybody who wants to explore the world without the stress of planning every single detail alone. I’m returning home with a more open mind, 15 new friends and a lifetime of stories to tell<33 Thank you so much! - Heba

the best 8 weeks, such a balance of culture, adventure and making amazing friends. such an iconic guide in Stefan as well, who really made the trip! would do again in a heartbeat and I know everyone else in the group would too

My experience was wildly beautiful in all of the places we spent time in - from bathing elephants in the hills of Chiang Mai, trekking in the Laos wilderness, exploring the gorgeous beaches and caves of Vietnam to biking in the Cambodian countryside. It allowed me to grow through the discomfort of traveling, doing activities that I haven’t ever thought to do - such as hiking and rock climbing, and spending time in beautiful villages and guesthouses. Throughout its ups and downs, I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world.

I am so grateful to have experienced such a unique trip with an incredible group of people. Southeast Asia is one of the most incredible places from the culture, to the food, to the views! I feel as though I’ve grown so much as a person and am prepared to travel on my own all over the world. I feel that my sense of independence has grown, I’m much more confident in myself, responsible and knowledgeable about the world. This program travels a lot! which is amazing because you do so much from taking care of elephants, to visiting some of the worlds most incredible beaches, temples, and waterfalls, to a 4-day long trek, seeing incredible animals, and so much more. If I had to tell my pre-program self something it would be to soak up every moment because it is such a privilege to travel around Southeast Asia for 70 days and there is so much to take in. The program is over before you know it so go in excited, confident, and believe that you can do anything you set your mind to.

The experience I had was amazing! I feel like I have more confidence in my decisions and thoughts as a person. I feel better prepared to go to college as I feel I can better handle any stressors that it might give me. I would recommend this program, you get to see the world through experiences you otherwise might not be able to see in your lifetime.

My experience with this organization was life-changing! The staff and my host family went above and beyond to make me comfortable and give me a truly immersed experience. Additionally, I got hands-on clinical experience that I could not have gotten in the United States.

It was an amazing experience and I have come away with a profound respect for the country and people I volunteered with. Every interaction, whether in the community or during my service, became a lesson in cultural exchange and shared humanity.

It’s given me a lot more confidence about what to do next, just because you’re retired doesn’t mean you haven’t got those skills and experience. Something I do notice where I’ve perhaps helped younger people is it’s all new to them whereas I’ve seen it all before. That experience does count for quite a bit, so that has been validating.

Learned so much. Beautiful country. Great people willing to help. The staff was so helpful and my host mom was so wonderful. I met so many awesome people and everyone I worked with was super helpful. I absolutely love my host mom and I just feel really lucky to have had this experience.

The Centre where I’m volunteering in Cambodia is an amazing place for any traveller — young or old. The local staff are very welcoming and are always ready to help with any situation or need that comes your way. The program offers cultural immersion and an enjoyable volunteering experience that I would recommend anyone to try.

I was not expecting to meet and find friendship with such a diverse set of people. Ages, backgrounds and cultures. The expedition was an incredibly positive experience and that atmosphere was set right from the start.

We are having time of our lives here! The young offenders are really polite and we like working with them. Things went well at our placement in the Philippines and the organization I worked with was really amazing!

Through my reflections I noticed extreme progress in my spanish language skills as well as my interaction with the people as I strive to understand and appreciate their culture more and more. All the while I experienced a lot of personal growth, which I absolutely love!

Honestly, I don’t want to leave! I’ve met a lot of incredible people from different countries, I’m in love with the staff here, the kids at my site have stolen my heart. I feel so content – my heart is full.”