Volunteering Gap Year Programs

I joined the GAC Gap Year Program right after high school, and it was truly transformational. I split my time between learning Mandarin, interning at a local startup, and participating in cultural activities like calligraphy and martial arts. The homestay experience gave me real insight into Chinese family life, and my language skills improved faster than I ever expected. It wasn’t just educational — it was fun, challenging, and eye-opening. If you’re a high school grad looking for something meaningful before college, this program is 100% worth it.

I joined the GAC Gap Year program hoping to make my year off productive, and it ended up exceeding all expectations. The Chinese language classes were intense but super rewarding — I went from barely knowing anything to having real conversations with locals. My internship placement in an international marketing firm gave me hands-on experience and boosted my resume. What made it special was the balance: mornings in class, afternoons at the office, evenings exploring Beijing with new friends. I came back home more independent, culturally aware, and with a clearer career path. Highly recommended if you're serious about making your gap year count.