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14 Gap Year Programs in Malaysia
International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
4.68
827
At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. ...
Raleigh International
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Take urgent action and immerse yourself in one of the world's most ecologically and culturally diverse places by joining a Raleigh Expedition to ...
GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
4.76
41
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 med
See All 3 ProgramsSemester at Sea
4.77
47
Unlike traditional study abroad or tourism experiences, Semester at Sea offers a unique opportunity for deep, authentic engagement with countries and cultures around the globe. It's more than just the adventure of a lifetime. It's a transformative experience that will give you a global perspective t
See All 2 ProgramsSeamester Study Abroad at Sea
4.76
51
Seamester is the educational adventure of a lifetime! For more than 40 years, we have offered unparalleled educational voyages where students spend a semester at sea sailing between islands, countries, and even continents. We design our programs to provide engaging learning experiences with real out
See All 2 ProgramsVolunteer World
4.29
17
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 g
See All 3 ProgramsOyster Worldwide
4.5
4
Interested in taking a gap year? Do it with an organization well regarded for its responsible travel and gap year travel opportunities - Oyster Worldwide. Whether you are taking a break before pursuing higher education or taking time off from university, we have the perfect opportunity for you! Our
Thriving Futures 2100
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The Connect and Thrive Regeneration Steward Intensive is a small-group experiential learning program exploring regenerative education, ecological literacy, systems thinking, mentorship, and community-based learning through both analytical and experiential pathways. Participants engage in outdoor ob
A Guide to Gap Year in Malaysia
Popular Locations
As the third-largest island in the world, Malaysia is an excellent location for a gap year abroad. Malaysia consists of both a peninsula and an island, divided by the South China Sea and brimming with coral reefs, thick jungles, beaches, and mountains intertwined with booming metropolitan centers. You really can have it all.
Kuala Lumpur. The capital of Malaysia and the most popular location is Kuala Lumpur. It’s large and in charge— yet will welcome you with open arms. It’s contrasting, yet complementary elements (including modern buildings spiraling into space and overlooking the liveliness of the exotic Central Market on the streets below) will hypnotize you with awe. KL is a sprawl of bright lights, bright people, and bright opportunities for young gappers like you to take advantage of.
Borneo. The epitome of laid-back island living—Borneo is an oasis of rugged, dense rainforest and pristine waters, and is also internationally renowned for its dive spots. Needless to say, a gap year spent in the untamed jungles of Borneo will definitely be an out of the classroom experience. Allow Mother Nature to be your teacher as you marvel at the oldest rainforest in the world, while the inhabitants of Borneo open your eyes and heart to the beauty of life.
Popular Activities
Does a sunrise yoga session overlooking the crystal clear Malaysian waters sound like your style? Or are more interested in spending your days conserving the endangered species that lie beneath those same waters? It doesn’t matter if you are a fish out of water or a monkey masquerading as a human—there is something for every type of critter and personality.
Adventure Travel. Malaysia is a hotbed relentlessly breeding extraordinary adventure travel experiences. You can get your scuba certification and explore the richest shipwreck ever recorded, get both feet wet with kayaking, snorkeling, rafting, and sailing adventures, or opt for dry land and hike, backpack, or trek to your heart’s content. Maybe combine them all? As a gapper, accomplish your goal of spreading your wings with a gap year in Malaysia!
Volunteering. Opportunities to volunteer in Malaysia are as varied as the country itself, but projects related to wildlife and conservation are by far the most common. Wildlife volunteering in Malaysia spans from conserving the endangered sun bear populations to protecting the orangutans that call the Malaysian jungle home. If you are more of a water person, you can chose a volunteer placement in Malaysia focused on marine conservation instead, and help conserve and protect endangered turtles in Borneo. Better yet, if you like people as much as animals, why not volunteer at a non-profit in Borneo committed to wildlife conservation?
Everything else you need to know about gap years in Malaysia
Costs. Malaysia is an extremely affordable location to do a gap year abroad. And you thought it couldn’t get any better. A crisp $20 could easily transform into a three-course meal, a couple beers, and a ride home. However, prices in the big cities like KL will be noticeably more expensive than in rural areas. If you’re too broke to travel anywhere, no matter how affordable, be sure to start a FundMyTravel campaign for your gap year abroad in Malaysia!
Accommodations. Accommodations in Malaysia vary greatly depending on locations and programs. You could expect to rest your head in an apartment, homestay, dormitory, or under the open sky looking at the stars.
Visas. For a shortened gap year in Malaysia, you will typically need to secure a Short Term Social Visit Pass, which can be obtained upon arrival at the airport. Normally, this visa is valid for three months, but the visa conditions vary depending on the nationality of the applicant. If you plan to stay in Malaysia for a longer period of time, you might have to apply for a Professional Visit Pass, which can be valid for up to 12 months. Check out GoAbroad’s Embassy Directory for more details.
Safety. Yes, you’re fearless. Nothing scares you. Even though relentless curiosity without fear or prejudice is the mark of a meaningful traveler, you need to always be aware. Malaysia is always up there on the global peace index and considered a safe country, but it’s always best to be on high alert when walking on the wild side and traipsing through untamed jungles (and even the more tamed concrete ones).
GoAbroad’s Inside Scoop
One tidbit on why gap years rock. Gap years are all about pushing personal and physical boundaries and getting a taste of the real culture and diversity that doesn’t exist in your “Stars Hollow” like hometown. The slogan ‘Malaysia, Truly Asia’ really does capture the essence of diversity in Malaysia, as it truly is a potpourri of Asian cultures. Muslim Malays, religiously diverse Chinese, and Hindu and Muslim Indians all muddle along with aboriginal groups and scores of tribal indigenous people. Plus, each ethnic group has its own cultural practices, which you can best appreciate through a packed calendar of festivals and delicious cuisines.
One travel tip about the country they’re wanderlusting for. Prepare for Monica hair because Malaysia is hot and humid no matter where you are or what the season. Be sure to pack your suitcase with layers of breathable fabrics like linen and cotton before you go. And remember that dehydration is no joke, so always have plenty of water on you.
In the colorful country of Malaysia, gap years are an exciting time in your life where you can say you definitely colored outside the lines. A gap year in Malaysia is a great chance to shatter obstacles and discover the limitlessness to your potential. Plus, you will have the incredibly rare chance to enjoy the omnipresent peace and harmony that gently billows out over the entire country like the mist out of an essential oil diffuser. Breathe it in!
Keep reading! Experiential Travel Advice for Not-So-Average Teens.
Latest Program Reviews
DO NOT MISS OUT!!!!
April 19, 2026by: Esther Amani - KenyaProgram: Semester at Sea: Global Study Abroad on a Floating Campus
SAS as a recent high school graduate was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. I am so grateful for the opportunity to sail on the Fall 25 voyage as an international gap year student. The experience as a whole was so unique and I truly do not believe that you can find such a program anywhere else. The accommodation was so surreal because I got to wake up and see the waves as we sailed across the world. The community SAS builds is welcoming and kind because whenever I had a problem on the ship or in port, I never once felt alone or stranded. There will always be someone in your corner, which I appreciated. A massive thank you especially to the crew members on the ship who always make an effort to get to know your name, check in and give you a smile or laugh whenever you're stressed by travel planning, relationships and/or academics. The food does get quite repetitive if I'm being honest but it's truly a blessing to have such skilled crew members who can create delicious and nutritious meals in the middle of nowhere on the ocean. Pro tip: always get your cake first cause everyone loves the cake and it's always the first to go. In terms of academics. there are a variety of courses and I loved how everything always tied back to our in-port experiences, which allowed us to reflect on our SAS journey deeply, which I think was a crucial aid in how I developed and matured as a person. This was a great bridge between high school and university because I feel that I came out more mature, socially aware and ready for adult life. I also never felt that I couldn't make new friends because everyone is so open and you get to interact with a lot of diversity due to the various represented cultures, backgrounds, religions, nationalities etc. Til now, I am so grateful for the friends I made on SAS and we keep in touch almost daily as we plan our reunion trips. If I had one piece of advice for whoever's reading this, is that you will never truly see and understand the world around you until you're interacting with various people on the ship and in port. So do it!!! You will never regret SAS, I can promise you that :p
My project in Namibia
August 12, 2024by: Emily Ormond - United KingdomI have recently come back from my gap year and while I was there I spent a month working on the relationships between humans and elephants. So why would I recommend Oyster? I am so glad I picked to do this project with Oyster because they made me feel very well taken care of and looked after me before and during the project. They talk you though everything you need to know before the project takes place and what clothes and necessities you may need to pack. So what does the project consist of? I would do this project a million times if I could, and if you don’t believe me lots of people who were doing the project had already done it before and had come back because of how much they enjoyed it. So the project is on a two week program and you have the option to stay from two weeks to 3 months. The first week is amazing because you build walls for the local community. Some days some of the locals will come and help, or a few kids will come and keep you company, that is amazing because you feel so immersed, it’s definitely a once in a lifetime experience. The second week is spent tracking elephants. This was my favourite out of the two because you learn all about the elephants foot prints. We also managed to see a two day old elephant which we were lucky enough to name !!! So why pick this project? I think this project and Oyster have a lot of selling points. For starters Oyster takes very good care of you and help you organise yourself before the project starts so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Secondly you are in the middle of the desert, I don’t think you could get anymore rural than that. You don’t really have much service so it’s lovely to disconnect for two weeks. You get to spend some time with lovely people who you may not meet on a day to day basis, people from different countries, locals, and different ages. You camp under the stars which is also amazing. Overall I would always recommend this amazing project, such a special experience!!
Wonderful to read about your experience, thank you Emily! The Oyster Team
Amazing experience. Professional and helpful company.
June 30, 2023by: Bailey Crossland - EnglandThe last few weeks I have been travelling around South East Asia with Oyster Worldwide, completing my Gold The Duke of Edinburgh's Award. This has been a truly once in a lifetime experience, meeting many new people from all around the world and learning about the Asian culture and lifestyle. From volunteering at an ethical elephant sanctuary in Chaing Mai, Thailand to partying on a yacht in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, I enjoyed every second of it. Oyster Worldwide have been super professional and helpful throughout the whole experience and made a complex and daunting trip, a breeze in the park!
Sounds like you made the most of your time Bailey and had a wonderful tour - thanks for sharing!
Teaching in Chile
August 06, 2019by: Amy Green - United KingdomI had a really great time as a volunteer teaching assistant at a school in Coyhaique, Chile. I was teaching a huge range of ages (4-17) and it was great to be able to interact with classes at various stages of their English development. The teachers I was supporting were amazing and very eager for the help, particularly with the younger years and keeping their interest. I absolutely loved my time living with my host family as they were so welcoming. Being able to speak a little Spanish already definitely helped my integration but they were also incredibly helpful in helping me improve and understanding of my many mistakes! Coyhaique in itself is a smallish town with not too much to offer however there are two national parks surrounding it with some good hikes. It is easy to travel out of Coyhaique by bus (just book in advance) either going north or south and getting to Balmaceda airport is also simple should you wish to go further afield. Having people on the ground in Coyhaique was encouraging as you knew you had support should you need it but we didn't interact much. The Spanish lessons were fine but I feel they would be more helpful to someone of a lower level, as for me, I just needed to practice speaking so the best thing was just being with my host family! Overall a good experience and I'm so glad I did it.
Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Best decision I ever made!
February 01, 2019by: Lauren Underhill - United KingdomI had just finished my A Levels and wasn’t sure whether uni was an option for me - so a gap year was on the cards. My friend and I had a passion for animals so decided to go on a trip to see some of the worlds most magnificent. After lots of research, Oysters promise of responsible travel and support was what made us sure they were the best company to go with. I went to South Africa for 4 weeks to volunteer as a wildlife conservationist with the Big 5. I cannot even begin to describe how much I loved the programme. I got to see and experience a culture and lifestyle I never thought possible, made life long friends all over the world and have memories to last a life time. Oyster provided non-stop support as soon as I applied until the very moment I returned home. It would take me a whole book to write all the amazing things I saw and experienced and why Oyster Worldwide was the best choice - cliché as it sounds, taking a gap year with Oyster was the best decision I have ever made and I cannot wait to get on a plane to another one of their awesome projects.
Many thanks for taking the time to review us! <br/><br/>Oyster Team
Turtle conservation project in Costa Rica
April 30, 2018by: Drew Copping - CanadaProgram: Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!
Costa Rica's Turtle Conservation Project was one thing I will never forget! Such an eye opening and amazing experience. The IHQV program is an amazing way to explore the world in a feasible way. Not only is it affordable but I would have never experienced anything like it! IHQV Brings so much more, more ham any guided tour, more than a resort, and more than anything you could experience on your own. They have demonstrated such strong dedication to make sure every part of the trip is a great learning exprenice while keeping it fun. One of my most memeroble moments would be seeing the indangered leather back turtle lay her eggs. Because the leather back is in such danger it is critical that her eggs are gathered and re-nested in the hatchery where they can be taken care of and monitered to keep them safe from predators. I was lucky enough to be able to personally collect her eggs and dig a new nest to place each egg carfully. It was truley an amazing experience. I wish I could go back to see them hatch! Not only was this such an amazing experience, but every single person I met on this trip through the program m, I will dearly miss. IHQV brings everyone with similar ambitions together and from all over the world. I loved to meet people from the UK, Australia and Italy. Never could I go anywhere and meet such amazing people in one single place. I would recommend this program a million times. Leaving was hard, I'll miss my friends I have made and most importantly all the work that was done everyday to help such a wonderful project!
![International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] logo](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.goabroad.com%2Fimage%2Fupload%2Fc_pad%2Cw_67%2Ch_67%2Fv1%2Fimages2%2Fclients%2Flogos%2FMAIN%2Fb7aQwxqKkTQs1TCbQKDnmQAVGPjGCilE6Nj4ktx5.jpg&w=96&q=75){kind=small}
Hi Drew, thank you for sharing your incredible experience on the Turtle Conservation project in Costa Rica! It's amazing that you were able to help in the protection of the leatherback turtles eggs as this is such an important task in the conservation of the turtles. We would love to have you join us again in the future! ^Rachel - IVHQ Costa Rica Program Manager
Amazing!!
April 04, 2018by: Caroline - CanadaProgram: Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!
My time volunteering in Portugal was the most amazing experience. It gave me the comfort and growth to travel and experience new adventures on my own. The staff, locals and coordinators ensured my stay was the best possible experience.
Hi Andy - It's awesome to hear about your time on the program, and I'm so glad you enjoyed your experience in Ghana. Our local team is awesome and I'm thrilled to hear you felt supported by them in every capacity during your time on the program. I wish you all the best! ^Caroline - IVHQ Portugal Program Manager
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