Gap Year Programs in Mexico

Your First Year Abroad program in Mérida lasts 12 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE courses and courses taught online through CIEE’s global academic partner, Arizona State University (ASU). Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Mexican culture. Live and learn in Mérida! Mérida is Mexico’s cultural gem, full of history, color, and spirited traditions – a wonderful backdrop for students with any interests. Spend 12 weeks wandering the plazas of Plaza Grande, tasting cochinita pibil at Mercado Lucas de Gálvez, and discovering the art and music scenes throughout the city. Whether you’re studying business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Mérida is the perfect place to study abroad.

Get the chance to work with injured animals from the Amazon rainforest or at a shelter for sea turtles in one of our internships abroad. At the Institute for Global Studies, we help students gain invaluable work experience in their field from an international context. Wildlife shelter work can bring out the best of human nature. Connecting with abandoned animals instills a sense of accomplishment that few tasks provide. Apart from bonding with animals, gain insight into local communities and their interactions with wildlife in their area. Meet with students, residents, and the general public to learn about their customs. Common duties include food preparation, checking in animals, interpretation to the public, medical assistance, and community outreach.

Come explore Pez Maya, home to a conservation site aimed at protecting the local coastal marine species and their coral reef homes, while also studying their populations. Participants will assist researchers in conserving a portion of the Mesoamerican Reef, which faces increased problems due to development in the nearby cities of Playa del Carmen and Cancun. Volunteers will help with long term goals to ensure the area will remain protected. Through education of the community and gaining specific knowledge on the functioning and elements of the ecosystem, participants will be better able to understand the biodiversity. The project will be split into two portions. Participants will be trained for the first three weeks on diving in order to obtain PADI certification for open water, study local specimen, and learn techniques for data collection. After this, volunteers will begin to directly assist with monitoring and researching including cleaning beaches, collecting information on coral and fish, helping with tasks such as chores and equipment prep, and reaching out to local people through education.

Come and join the leading Spanish-language immersion program in Mexico! Iguana Abroad offers you the chance to live in one of the best locations in Mexico and learn Spanish in a fast, authentic, and immersive way. Whether you are a complete beginner or you already speak advanced Spanish, our personalized courses will bring you to the next level! Our trips include 30+ hours of Spanish tuition, a unique program of cultural immersion, and a series of excursions to diverse and exciting locations around Mexico. Iguana Abroad will take care of all the details: Spanish lessons, excursions, activities, and much, much more! Get in touch today to find out more!

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!

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.

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.

Study abroad in the charming colonial city of Oaxaca, Mexico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Oaxaca’s extensive colonial architecture and deeply-rooted indigenous cultures make it a unique and fascinating destination. Spanish classes are offered for all levels and students can choose from a variety of electives and specialized programs in healthcare and the arts. Oaxaca is nestled in a valley in the highlands of central Oaxaca state surrounded by the Sierra Norte mountains. Within easy access to the city, you will find some of Mexico’s best-preserved archaeological sites. Oaxaca is a vibrant city for the arts and possesses a world-famous food culture with cutting-edge restaurants. The Arcos Learning Abroad program provides an all-inclusive study abroad experience with cultural activities on the weekdays, excursions on the weekends, on-site directors, carefully vetted homestays, tuition, and much more. Arcos invites you to step through the arch and into a life-changing experience abroad. Immerse yourself in the timeless culture and rich history of Oaxaca. Mexico awaits!

Uncover the spirit of Central America on a 10-week journey through Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. Trek lush rainforests, hike volcanoes, raft wild rivers, and explore ancient Mayan ruins. More than just adventure, this program invites you to live alongside local communities, learn Spanish through immersion, and engage in meaningful sustainability projects that leave a lasting impact. Designed for students and young adults seeking growth, clarity, and purpose, Pacific Discovery blends challenge with support. You’ll gain confidence traveling with a small group and experienced instructors who mentor you through guided reflection and leadership activities. Days balance cultural exchange, service, and personal exploration—so you’re not just passing through, but truly connecting. Whether you’re taking a gap year, looking for an alternative to study abroad, or craving a deeper cultural experience, this program helps you grow, give back, and discover your place in the world.

Join this gap year program designed for your adventurous soul and the part of you that craves out-of-the-box experiences alongside a group of fun-loving friends. We offer the chance to be seen and accepted for who you already are as well as see the world for what it is and what it could be. We inspire rather than coerce. We challenge you to be real. We get dirty. We think big. We work on organic farms, build using sustainable materials, make our own bread, and hike our brains out. As a group, we go on a road trip through the southwest down to Oaxaca, Mexico, looking for adventure and learning about what makes these areas rich and interesting. In the process, you learn the skills of self-sufficiency, community, and quality living. At the end of the program, you will possess new options for living the good life and experiencing the richness of the world. Fall '25 Where: Colorado, Mexico, and the Southwest When: 8/06 – 11/17 Spring '26 Where: Colorado; Utah; Arizona; Bordercountry When: 3/10 – 5/17

Made up of many varied regions, Mexico makes up 1/5 of the United States. The weather, culture, and geography can differ per region. The mountains dividing the country help keep each region's culture intact by making it difficult for outside influencers to spread. Architectural sites and traditional celebrations are enjoyed by locals and volunteers alike. Since United Planet is a member of the ICYE (International Cultural Youth Exchange), you'll be hosted by an organization associated with ICYE. Your host is Siijuve, a nonprofit that has been at work since 1965 to help international volunteers get involved in local activities.

Combine it all by joining a NOLs gap semester or gap year program – adventure, wilderness education, academic study, and plenty of invaluable experiences! Connect with yourself and the outdoors and gain a head start in your university studies or career with a life-changing gap year (or semester). Gain personal growth, different perspectives, and newfound confidence—all providing useful throughout your lifetime. We have worldwide campuses in India, New Zealand, Alaska, Mexico, the Rockies, Patagonia, East Africa, and so much more. Travel where you want, immersing yourself in new environments and diverse cultures. Join us for around 2.5 to 4.5 months, depending on whether it's a gap semester or a gap year program. Looking to make the most of your time out from school after high school graduation, mid-university, or after getting your degree? Visit our website or inquire today for complete details about our gap semester or gap year programs at NOLS.