Gap Year Programs in India

You have the big picture… a gap year in India, but now comes the exciting, yet tricky part. Where do you want to live on your year abroad? There’s so many options of holy hindu areas, gigantic cities, and sweet, simple rural towns. Venture out to the great wide somewhere near the Bay of Bengal, where you can work and study the sea life on the coast. Or, if you’re a big foodie, explore the south of India where you can find the best culinary courses to make delicious Biryani. Here are the top spots for your gap year programs in India!

Mumbai. Nothing welcomes you to your India gap year more than the Gateway to India, located in Mumbai, one of the most popular cities here.. This detailed monument faces out to the Mumbai Harbor and is a symbol of welcome and power to the British rulers who conquered India in the 1920’s. Love Hindu movies? Visit the Bollywood area, where all of the famous films and musicals are made. Mumbai is one of the best India gap year locations because of its Hindu history—it hosts temples around every corner. Some gap year work programs allow you to study the holy religion and assist other tourists by becoming a tour guide. Interested in something else? No worries, Mumbai is full of opportunities for your gap year in India.

New Delhi. Make the capital your new crash pad during your gap year programs in India. Why is New Delhi one of the best gap year locations? Because there’s tons of enriching opportunities to work with children in need. Give back during your gap year abroad in one of the most popular cities in India! Check out the Chandni Chowk, aka Moonlight Market. Built in the 1600’s, this marketplace was separated by canals so its shoppers and visitors could view the reflection of the moonlight. Swing by Humayun's Tomb, which was the inspiration for the Taj Mahal (only three hours from New Delhi). Created in 1540, this mausoleum was made for Mughal Emperor Humayun and was the first flower tomb known in India.

Bangalore. This alluring city is home to genuine locals and endless sights to see. Take a stroll or go for a run in Cubbon Park. About a half a mile long, visit the grand fountains and greenness of what Bangalore has to offer. Can’t get enough of the delightful gardens? Take an excursion to Lal Bagh, the Red Garden, which hosts India’s most tropical plants and flowers. Hopefully your gap year spans January or August (or both!) so that you can check out their incredible annual flower shows.But you're not on your gap year in India just to play and pick flowers, right? Consider signing up for an au pair work program here. As an au pair, you'll live with a family and offer childcare. It's a great way to get to know the culture more deeply while not breaking the bank on gap year travel costs.

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Latest Program Reviews

Life changing experience

November 24, 2025by: Luisa Rulfo - MexicoProgram: Baret Scholars Gap Year Program

10

The most eye opening experience, questioning everything you go through, you knew, discovering yourself among a cohort of brilliant and unique minds. Every virtue is welcomed and supported to the fullest. We scholars discovered the impact of the frase "If you want something you just have to do it." We unlearned and relearned how to perceive life, how to grow, how to move forward, how to relate to people, how to experience life to the fullest. I believe the knowledge I gained from this experience gave me years of lived life worth of knowledge, unreachable without something like Baret.

My unforgettable year with Baret Scholars

November 17, 2025by: Antonio de Azevedo Sodré Neto - BrazilProgram: Baret Scholars Gap Year Program

9

My gap year with Baret Scholars changed me in ways I never expected. I traveled to 10 countries, learned from hundreds of experts, and faced challenges that forced me to grow up fast. One of the moments I’ll never forget was running out of fuel on the way to the Taj Mahal and relying on a village mechanic who didn’t speak my language but still helped us with a smile. Moments like that taught me humility, openness, and how much kindness exists in the world. I also had experiences that made me confront my own biases—like assuming my assigned roommate would be messy, only to discover he was more organized than I was. In China, I helped organize a photography exhibition with local artists, and their guidance showed me how powerful cross-cultural collaboration can be. This year made me more mature, responsible, and aware of the world around me. I met people who shaped the way I think, pushed me to be better, and showed me how much I still have to learn. I’d recommend this program to anyone who wants a gap year that truly changes you—not just where you go, but who you become.

Life changing experience

November 24, 2025by: Luisa Rulfo - MexicoProgram: Baret Scholars Gap Year Program

10

The most eye opening experience, questioning everything you go through, you knew, discovering yourself among a cohort of brilliant and unique minds. Every virtue is welcomed and supported to the fullest. We scholars discovered the impact of the frase "If you want something you just have to do it." We unlearned and relearned how to perceive life, how to grow, how to move forward, how to relate to people, how to experience life to the fullest. I believe the knowledge I gained from this experience gave me years of lived life worth of knowledge, unreachable without something like Baret.

My unforgettable year with Baret Scholars

November 17, 2025by: Antonio de Azevedo Sodré Neto - BrazilProgram: Baret Scholars Gap Year Program

9

My gap year with Baret Scholars changed me in ways I never expected. I traveled to 10 countries, learned from hundreds of experts, and faced challenges that forced me to grow up fast. One of the moments I’ll never forget was running out of fuel on the way to the Taj Mahal and relying on a village mechanic who didn’t speak my language but still helped us with a smile. Moments like that taught me humility, openness, and how much kindness exists in the world. I also had experiences that made me confront my own biases—like assuming my assigned roommate would be messy, only to discover he was more organized than I was. In China, I helped organize a photography exhibition with local artists, and their guidance showed me how powerful cross-cultural collaboration can be. This year made me more mature, responsible, and aware of the world around me. I met people who shaped the way I think, pushed me to be better, and showed me how much I still have to learn. I’d recommend this program to anyone who wants a gap year that truly changes you—not just where you go, but who you become.