Gap Year Programs in Cambodia

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

Combine adventure travel and volunteering in this awesome 8-week journey to three of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful destinations: Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam! Take part in conservation and community-based projects, further enriched with traditional backpacking. From the bustling cities of Bangkok and Chiang Mai to the roots amongst Angkor Wat ruins, this Southeast Asia Explorer adventure is the perfect first-time trip if you want to set out on one of the world’s most iconic travel routes! This program is for anyone looking to volunteer and backpack through Southeast Asia’s most sought-after destinations. No prior experience is required, although the minimum age is 18.

A region accentuated by the colorful robes of Buddhist monks, the vivid greens of rice fields and jungle forests, and the cultural diversity of hill tribe communities—this is the ultimate Southeast Asia semester. Each country offers a unique cultural experience unto itself, and each faces the challenge of reconciling urban expansion and industrialization with indigenous land rights, free movement of nomadic peoples, and equal access to resources. This semester, walk among ancient temples, traverse mountainous jungles, and explore the clear blue water of Thailand’s beaches. You’ll explore tradition, globalization, and human rights against the backdrop of two of Asia’s most complex nations. Immerse yourself in community life through homestays and visits to remote villages. Emerge with your self-awareness and perspective forever altered. 2025: CLOSED Spring 2026: February 25 - May 6 Fall 2026: September 24 - December 4

Explore Southeast Asia on a 10-week journey through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam—where travel becomes transformation. Volunteer at ethical elephant sanctuaries, trek to remote mountain villages, explore ancient temples, and engage with communities through meaningful, culturally respectful exchange. This program combines adventure, service, and immersion to help you grow personally and globally. Learn traditional crafts, share meals with host families, and experience resilience and hospitality in every community. Conservation work, ethical travel practices, and local partnerships ensure your impact is responsible and real. With leadership training, guided reflection, and mentorship built into the experience, you'll return more confident, connected, and prepared for what’s next. Whether you're taking a gap year, earning credit, building your resume, or seeking clarity and purpose, this journey meets you where you are—and helps you grow beyond it. Travel deeper. Grow bolder. Reach out to Learn More!

This 70-day Southeast Asia Gap Program takes you beyond the traditional classroom while journeying to three beautiful and naturally diverse countries in Southeast Asia – Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. It is a unique combination of hands-on projects, education, and immersion into fascinating and ancient cultures. Our exclusive access to people and places, developed over decades, gives us a window into aspects of Southeast Asia rarely experienced by outsiders. In Vietnam, we work with youth affected by Agent Orange both in the classroom and in their daily activities. We explore the bustling and historic city of Hanoi as well as the tranquility and natural beauty of the rural provinces. While exploring Cambodia, we become part of the change wherein we get our hands dirty building and installing bio-sand filters for families in rural villages outside Siem Reap. We partner with local conservationists at a Thai nature reserve deep in the jungle to understand the true value of conservation as we learn about Thailand’s endemic animals. Standing knee-deep in rice paddies with our host families, we discover a way of life that has remained virtually unchanged.

Explore the hidden treasures of Cambodia while creating a real, lasting difference in local communities. Immerse yourself in the country’s rich culture and history as you work alongside locals to tackle pressing challenges like poverty and environmental sustainability. Choose your Impact Area and deliver engaging activities that inspire and empower young learners. Throughout your journey, you’ll gain valuable experience, build leadership and cross-cultural skills, and grow in confidence, with full support from our in-country team. This is more than just travel - it’s a chance to live, learn, and give back. You’ll also earn an International Impact Diploma, helping your CV and university application stand out as you take your first steps toward becoming a global changemaker.

Inspire, Educate & Empower Communities Across the World Are you passionate about education and cross-cultural exchange? Do you dream of making a positive impact while traveling the world? With Volunteering Journeys’ English Teaching Programs Abroad, you can inspire young minds, build confidence, and open opportunities for children and adults across Peru, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Maldives. Whether you’re a student on a gap year, a certified teacher, or simply a fluent English speaker looking to make a difference, teaching abroad is one of the most rewarding ways to contribute to global education while immersing yourself in fascinating cultures. In many developing regions, English proficiency opens the door to education, employment, and better economic opportunities. However, limited resources and teacher shortages often leave students without access to quality English education. By joining Volunteering Journeys’ teaching programs, you’ll help bridge this gap. You’ll work in local schools, community centers, or after-school programs — improving English literacy, conversational confidence, and cultural awareness.

At Projects Abroad, we’re passionate about travel with a purpose. Since being founded in 1992, more than 130,000 volunteers have traveled to over 20 destinations around the world. Our programs will make you step out of your comfort zone and engage with your new friends from around the world. These are long-term projects, led by local people and aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By taking part in our programs, even for a short time, you will be contributing towards a sustained effort to support the communities that host us! We believe no other provider offers the safety and security to their volunteers and interns that we do. You'll receive 24-hour staff support from our trained staff, alongside a gold standard of safety planning of your trip - so you don't have to worry about a thing. Choose a project you are passionate about from working with children to medical internship, conservation, and wildlife volunteering. We offer projects starting at one week in over 20 stunning destinations across Asia, Africa, Latin America & The Caribbean, South Pacific & Europe. Ready to make a difference? Follow the link to visit our website!

Gain essential travel skills, cross-cultural competencies, and broad exposure to pressing contemporary topics while traveling across Southeast Asia and southern China. The 80-day gap semester, China & Southeast Asia: A Regional Travel Intensive By Land & Water, is for students interested in a comprehensive travel experience that strengthens leadership skills, travel savvy, and understanding of the region. From ancient trade routes to shared waterways, China and Southeast Asia's intertwined histories and natural resources shape the region’s future and play a vital role in a rapidly changing global context. This travel-intensive semester offers students comprehensive exposure to a globally critical region while loosely following the course of the Mekong River across borders. Participants journey through diverse landscapes and cultures while acquiring essential travel skills and a deeper awareness of contemporary topics.

Live and teach in Cambodia—one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and affordable destinations—while jumpstarting your global career! This paid internship is perfect for students and recent grads looking for adventure, cultural immersion, and real-world experience. You’ll spend 12 months teaching English in welcoming schools across Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, with guidance from local experts every step of the way. No teaching experience or degree? No problem. Get certified with an accredited TEFL course and arrive ready with orientation, airport pickup, and 24/7 support. Highlights include: • Guaranteed paid teaching job (earn $700+ per month) • In-depth TEFL training and hands-on classroom practice • Accommodation guidance, local language lessons, and a supportive expat community • Up to 40 days off—perfect for exploring Angkor Wat, floating villages, and Cambodia’s legendary street food scene Make lifelong friends, gain skills that look great on a resume, and create memories to last a lifetime. It’s not just a job—it’s your ticket to travel, impact, and personal growth.

Whether you want to support vulnerable communities in developing countries, help conserve the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, or protect animals in the Amazon, Love Volunteers has a program for you. With over 200 projects in 40 countries there's something for everyone! For over 7 years Love Volunteers has provided safe, affordable and ethical volunteering and gap year projects. Join a program today for a life-changing experience.

Beef up your passport and your resume? Land in Cambodia and kick things off with a full-on, immersive week in Phnom Penh—crash course in Khmer, history, cooking, and local vibes (plus must-see temples & the Killing Fields). Here’s the vibe: • Teach English to kiddos or teens in local language and private schools, choose your squad! • Schedule’s flexible: language schools have you teaching weekends and chilling weekdays; private schools are more Mon-Fri, with your weekends free to adventure. • Each week is 30 hours split between designing fun lessons, real classroom time, and some light grading (don’t worry, you've got this). • After hours, Phnom Penh’s packed with food, markets, and endless things to do, or grab your intern crew and road trip the country. • Expect wild cultural dives, actual impact in classrooms, epic Insta moments, and fast friends from around the world. If you’re aged 20–35 and vibing with travel, growth, and making a difference, Cambodia’s ready to be your next big move.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

Travel to Southeast Asia for a 13-day, 20-day, or 31-day adventure of a life time. The tour will take you to see the main tourist attractions and less well known hot spots for a memorable experience! The tour is led by a combination of local and western guides, who are experienced in ensuring that their groups have an amazing adventure. Group sizes are typically about 20. The 31-day tour is a circular journey that starts and ends in Bangkok. We also offer a shorter tours: - 13 days: Bangkok to Hanoi - 20 days: Hanoi to Bangkok The top destinations: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Phnom Penh, and Siem Riep. For the full itinerary, see our website. Unforgettable activities: elephant sanctuary to bath the majestic animals, watching Muay Thai Kickboxing, zip lining, quad biking, rafting down the Mae Taeng River, Cycle through Northern Thai villages, hiking to waterfalls, staying overnight in a treetop house, traveling on a slow boat down the Mekong River, tubing down the river, rock climbing, exploring the caves, bar crawl, camping on a private beach, island hopping, scuba diving, and visiting Angkor Wat.

This is Cambodia, but not as you know it. Discover beautiful ancient history combined with modern-day sustainable projects. This adventure showcases the best of Cambodia, from must-see tourist hot spots to hidden gems away from the hustle and bustle. Over the course of this dynamic four-week journey, which starts off in Siem Reap, explore the famous Angkor Wat before being whisked off-grid into the beautiful area of Kampot where you will spend your time with the NGO, The Red Road Foundation. This is not just any charitable project; this is genius, fun, exciting, and immensely rewarding. You will spend time improving the community space in Kampot – creating buildings out of eco bricks; teaching children how to swim; getting involved with arts and crafts, and dancing... you name it. Then, wind up on the coast at Sunset Beach to relax and reflect after an epic four-week adventure. This is the perfect place to plan your further travels around Asia.