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

Amazing program!

November 14, 2025by: Sofia Ugalde - MexicoProgram: Baret Scholars Gap Year Program

10

I never planned on taking a gap year, but it was undoubtedly the best decision I could have made. I made lifelong friends, lived incredible experiences, and traveled the world for a year. I learned so much, grew in ways I never expected, and made hundreds of meaningful connections. A huge part of that growth came from being a Baret Scholar. Baret Scholars is unlike any other program I know about—you travel to so many places and see so many amazing things. Museums, architectural landmarks, cultural sites, design studios, and entire cities you’ve only ever read about suddenly become classrooms. You meet local experts, attend workshops, and have conversations with people who are shaping their fields. Every trip pushes you to think differently, question what you know, and understand the world from multiple perspectives. It’s a program that challenges you, inspires you, and gives you experiences that stay with you long after the travel ends.

250 days, 12 countries, 35 cities, and ∞ memories | My best year... yet

November 14, 2025by: Alejandro Perez Duarte - MexicoProgram: Baret Scholars Gap Year Program

9

I had already started college when I discovered this program and decided to throw a Hail Mary by applying. To my surprise, 2 weeks later, I was in New Hampshire meeting the cohort and team I would have by my side for the next 9 months. To me, Baret was extremely unexpected, but it was the best decision I ever made. To start, I got to travel the world and visit places I had always dreamt of visiting. Not only that, but I got to do it while surrounded by people, from all over the world, that I now consider my second family. I explored beautiful cultures, captured amazing memories, and grew more than I could ever have imagined. Traveling wasn't the only thing that stood out about Baret, but I also learned so much, both bout the world and about myself. I got to discover myself, and there were so many people throughout this program who were supporting me in that journey, while I was doing the same for them. Not only was it having my classroom be the whole world, but it was the sheer care and love that was placed into this program that made it so memorable. Based on the experiences I lived, the things I learned, the wonders I saw, and the people I met (including my girlfriend!) I can easily say that my year with Baret Scholars was the best year of my life.

Amazing program!

November 14, 2025by: Sofia Ugalde - MexicoProgram: Baret Scholars Gap Year Program

10

I never planned on taking a gap year, but it was undoubtedly the best decision I could have made. I made lifelong friends, lived incredible experiences, and traveled the world for a year. I learned so much, grew in ways I never expected, and made hundreds of meaningful connections. A huge part of that growth came from being a Baret Scholar. Baret Scholars is unlike any other program I know about—you travel to so many places and see so many amazing things. Museums, architectural landmarks, cultural sites, design studios, and entire cities you’ve only ever read about suddenly become classrooms. You meet local experts, attend workshops, and have conversations with people who are shaping their fields. Every trip pushes you to think differently, question what you know, and understand the world from multiple perspectives. It’s a program that challenges you, inspires you, and gives you experiences that stay with you long after the travel ends.

250 days, 12 countries, 35 cities, and ∞ memories | My best year... yet

November 14, 2025by: Alejandro Perez Duarte - MexicoProgram: Baret Scholars Gap Year Program

9

I had already started college when I discovered this program and decided to throw a Hail Mary by applying. To my surprise, 2 weeks later, I was in New Hampshire meeting the cohort and team I would have by my side for the next 9 months. To me, Baret was extremely unexpected, but it was the best decision I ever made. To start, I got to travel the world and visit places I had always dreamt of visiting. Not only that, but I got to do it while surrounded by people, from all over the world, that I now consider my second family. I explored beautiful cultures, captured amazing memories, and grew more than I could ever have imagined. Traveling wasn't the only thing that stood out about Baret, but I also learned so much, both bout the world and about myself. I got to discover myself, and there were so many people throughout this program who were supporting me in that journey, while I was doing the same for them. Not only was it having my classroom be the whole world, but it was the sheer care and love that was placed into this program that made it so memorable. Based on the experiences I lived, the things I learned, the wonders I saw, and the people I met (including my girlfriend!) I can easily say that my year with Baret Scholars was the best year of my life.