Gap Year Programs in South America

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.

For me this journey was full of adventures! I made experiences I never thought I would make throughout my whole life, I build up unforgettable friendships, which were clued together by special moments. I think I started to get to know myself better over the last year. My dreams and hopes and needs. Looking back everything feels like someone else lived through these adventures. They were so extraordinary that they feel unreal now.