GoAbroad

Gap Year Programs

Looking for the perfect balance between globetrotting and enlightenment? Take a gap year! Whether it’s a year off between high school and college (a healthy break from monotonous school life!), a gap year after college (which can give you time to figure out your next steps), or a gap year at literally any other time, it’ll be time well spent. Gap year programs are riddled with opportunities for personal growth, attainment of new skills, reevaluation of personal and career goals, and (of course) once-in-a-lifetime adventures.
Seamester

Featured Provider of the Month

This Month’s Recommended Gap Year Programs

The Intern Group - ROF - Australia
4.6689 reviews

The Intern Group

The Intern Group logo
International Internship Programs in Colombia

Experience Medellin, Colombia’s most innovative city, through an international internship designed to advance your career. This program combines hands-on professional experience, global networking, and cultural immersion, giving students, recent gradua...

Ski Instructor
4.220 reviews

EA Ski and Snowboard Training

EA Ski and Snowboard Training logo
Book Early & Save to Become a Ski Instructor for 2025/26

Become a Ski or Snowboard Instructor with EA Ski and Snowboard Training.The internship is a course designed to set you up as a ski or snowboard instructor within a single season. You'll train, qualify, and work as a ski or snowboard instructor—all in o...

Gapforce
4.45154 reviews

Gapforce

Gapforce logo
South America Explorer with Gapforce

Visit two of South America’s most iconic countries—Peru and Ecuador—and discover the lost lands of the Incas! Start your adventure in South America with intensive Spanish lessons, then step up the adventure with an epic trek across the Andes to Machu P...

gap year student
4.693210 reviews

MAXIMO NIVEL

MAXIMO NIVEL logo
Country Jumper Gap Year - Costa Rica | Guatemala | Peru

In three of the world's most beautiful countries—Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru—Maximo Nivel offers its unique Native Spanish Program.Join our "Country Jumper" program and begin your GAP Year in one of our countries and then jump to another and anothe...

Gap year in China
4.7561 reviews

Go Abroad China Ltd.

Go Abroad China Ltd. logo
Gap Year in China | Top University Chinese + Paid Internship

Design a transformative gap year in China with Go Abroad China. For over two decades, we have expertly guided students to make informed career decisions while providing exciting, structured opportunities for exploration and growth. Our program allows y...

EF Gap Year - The Globetrotter
4.2361 reviews

EF Education First

EF Education First logo
EF Gap Year - The Globetrotter

Spend 12 incredible weeks exploring Tamarindo, Rome, and Tokyo, three unforgettable destinations that showcase the world’s diversity. This immersive semester blends cultural discovery, new adventures, and light language learning with a supportive trave...

Seamester
4.67120 reviews

Seamester Study Abroad at Sea

Seamester Study Abroad at Sea logo
Seamester Study Abroad and Gap Year Voyages

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 pro...

Australia
4.9449 reviews

Global Work & Travel

Global Work & Travel logo
Working Holiday Australia – Get $100 Off with Code GA100

Ever dreamed of living and working in Australia? Picture yourself exploring white sandy beaches, ancient rainforests, exotic wildlife and iconic cities, all while getting paid to travel. A working holiday in Australia is the best way to experience life...

LTL Staff in Vietnam
4.74662 reviews

LTL Language School

LTL Language School logo
LTL Language School | Learn Vietnamese in Vietnam

Come and learn Vietnamese in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) or Hanoi today with LTL Language School. From beginner to advanced, all age groups and nationalities are welcome.All of our group and 1-on-1 classes are taught by our fully certified native Vietnam...

How to Take a Gap Year

Overview

How to take a gap year

Not sure what a gap year even is? We don’t blame you—”gap year” has come to be somewhat of a blanket term for any extended period of time taken off away from home or “normal” life. The unstructured pursuit of personal growth abroad tends to be what defines a gap year. If you want to know how to do a gap year, here’s a general overview:

  • Figure out why you want to take a gap year. Don’t set off on your life-changing journey without knowing what you want out of the experience. Do you want to learn a new language? Gain career skills? Just plain old immerse in a brand new place and culture? There’s no wrong way to take a gap year, but mapping out your gap year goals is a helpful first step.
  • Decide when to go. There isn't a wrong time to take a gap year; it’s all about finding the right time for you. If you’re a recent high school graduate who has no clue what they want to study in college, your time will be better spent on a gap year abroad, getting a firsthand look at how the world works, and learning more about yourself and your wants. Or, if you’re about to graduate college and aren’t sure you actually chose the right field of study anymore, going on a gap year is a great way to take some time to figure it out, while still building skills and having one-of-a-kind experiences.
  • Choose a gap year program. Booking a gap year program can be immensely helpful, especially if you plan to go to more than one destination. Gap year programs will help you sort out visas, find safe places to stay, and maybe even find you some paid work opportunities.

Benefits

Why take a gap year?

There are lots of reasons to take a gap year, and plenty of benefits of doing so. The best reason to take a gap year though is to learn more about yourself and your future goals. You’ll be surprised at how much a gap year can change your life and perspectives! Gap year benefits include a better sense of what you want for your future, increased confidence and feelings of capability, and even hard skills like new languages.

Gap year pros and cons can be a long list depending on your goals, but the most common con of taking a gap year is that tight backpacker budget. Traveling is expensive! However, we’re confident that the benefits and pros of taking a gap year will be well worth overcoming any roadblocks.

Getting Started

There’s so much to do during a gap year, which is (again!) why mapping out your goals is important. Deciding what to do in a gap year will depend on what you want to get out of the experience. Do you want to volunteer for a cause? Learn a new language? Summit a mountain? All of the above?

The world is your oyster during a gap year, so don’t be afraid to pursue every opportunity. If you do have something specific in mind though, traveling with a gap year program will help you iron out all the logistics, so that you can focus more on fulfilling your gap year dreams!

It’s also incredibly common to work odd jobs while on the go in order to pay for them. If you know you’ll need to earn money while traveling, we suggest heading to a destination that offers Working Holiday Visas, like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland, among others. Otherwise, start perusing online jobs boards for backpackers in your chosen destination prior to arrival, so that you know what type of work is common and where to go looking for it. Gap years tend to be lessons in extreme budget travel, so you’ll surely learn how to make your dollars stretch as far as they can go.

Locations

You can take a gap year anywhere—as long as you can get a visa, of course! However, some destinations are better suited for gap years than others, especially if you’re on a tight budget or looking for job opportunities. There are some places that seem like they were made for gap year travelers (we’re looking at you, Australia and New Zealand). But that doesn’t mean you need to be limited to one country for your gap year! Maybe you want to budget travel Europe or South America. Or maybe you just want to go where the wind blows you! Either way, it’s good to remember that the wider you cast your net, the more money you better have in your savings account. Research the cost of living in your intended destination(s) and whether or not you can offset those costs with gap year work programs or odd jobs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a gap year?

A gap year is an intentional break from school or work for travel. They traditionally last for a year or longer, but can be as short as one semester. Gap years are characterized by immense personal growth and education through travel.

Should I take a gap year?

It's a great idea to take a gap year, as they're highly beneficial to travelers of all ages. The best reasons to take a gap year include educational opportunities, work experience, global perspectives, and personal growth.

How can I take a gap year?

To take a gap year, set goals for what you want to accomplish during your time off and which parts of the world you want to see. Decide if you want to go after high school, during college, or after college, all of which are possibilities.

What can I do on a gap year?

You can do so much on a gap year! Some ideas include studying a new language, backpacking through a country, working in a hostel, or volunteering on an organic farm. Be intentional and set goals, and think about how your plans factor into life after your gap year.

When can I take a gap year?

You can take a gap year after high school, during college, after college, or mid-career. The best time to take your gap year will depend on your personal and professional goals, as well as your budget and responsibilities.

Where should I go on my gap year?

The best places to take a gap year include New Zealand, Australia, and Ireland, as they offer working holiday opportunities for gappers. Other popular places are Southeast Asia and Western Europe.

Do colleges like gap years?

It depends. If you make the most of your gap year and can add what you learned or experienced to a resume/CV, colleges will be more appreciative of your gap year. However, this varies from institution to institution.

Can you take a year off during college?

You can take a year off during college for a gap year, or even a semester. The process for this will depend on your home university and whether or not your gap year can earn you college credit.

How can I plan for a gap year?

To plan a gap year, you'll need to know when you want to go, what you want to do, and which countries you want to see. These are all important steps in planning a gap year. MyGoAbroad can help get you started.

Latest Program Reviews

Chinese for Beginners: Practical Lessons for Studying in China

July 29, 2026by: Marco Esposito - Italy

Program: Gap Year in China Programs

5

As a total beginner, I love this school. I have one class per week lasting 80 minutes. We start from simple pronunciation and learn words about school admission step by step. There are relaxing card games to memorize phrases. The teacher treats every student gently, and I never feel nervous to speak broken Chinese in class.

What an experience❤️⚽️

July 20, 2026by: Akhona Sibisi - South Africa

Program: Gap Year: Experience Life & Improve Your Soccer in Cape Town

5

In the last 7 months ive been here its been a very great experience especially in the last weeks or so, the level of football is good and some games are quite intense which is good for football development, joining the 7Elite gap year program has been a major step up in getting closer to playing professional football in south Africa😁👍.

China Adventure

July 09, 2026by: Cosette Stevenson - United States

Program: Learning through Living Together – LoPair Au Pair China

5

Would absolutely recommend this program to anybody looking to experience Chinese culture! You’ve got to be able to roll with the punches, and learn to manage your time well, but the rewards are so worth it. Being an au pair is incredible for learning Chinese, as you get to learn as you teach. The friendship I made with my kiddo was the highlight of the whole experience!!! LoPair is amazing at finding great host families, on top of creating a great support system during your stay.

My journey in China

July 08, 2026by: Wai Chang - Venezuela

Program: Learning through Living Together – LoPair Au Pair China

4

It has been an incredible experience. I was able to fulfill my dream of studying Chinese and getting to know this beautiful country. Also, meeting my "little friend," being able to teach her English and share time with her, has made me very happy. Being part of a Chinese family has been a challenge because of cultural differences, but it has been a beautiful experience.

A trip I will always remember

July 04, 2026by: Barbara Kollwentz - Austria

Program: Customized GAP Year Programs in Costa Rica

5

I was in Quepos for 6 weeks did Spanish classes, surf classes and two volunteer projects (working with kids and teaching english). I made a lot of new friends, got more independent and experienced an amazing country like a local.

Aupair in China

July 01, 2026by: Anonymous Anonymous - Italy

Program: Yohoo Au Pair China Culture Exchange (Homestay Tutor)

4

My experience in Guangzhou was amazing thanks to my host family, surely not thanks to the agency, especially after getting to China, the agent following me was not interested in me and disrespectful. I was forced to anticipate my flight two days before my expected departure, not even a little bit of empathy or understanding, she was just forcing me to make a decision quickly, furthermore on the day of my departure and the following days, no one asked me about how the flight was, if I was home safe, she just texted me on the morning of the flight, no good morning or greetings, just telling me “don’t miss the flight”. Quite disappointing approach.

9 months in Beijing

June 18, 2026by: Martina C - Italy

Program: Learning through Living Together – LoPair Au Pair China

5

I strongly recommend LoPair for an experience as an au pair in China! The staff has always been helpful whenever i had questions, and they were extremely supportive throughout my experience. Not only is this an amazing opportunity to learn more about the culture, history and traditions of the country, but it’s also an excellent way to learn Chinese and make new friends. Every month the staff will also plan a cultural activity for all au pairs, giving us the chance to try different crafts and meet up together.

Exhilarating New Experiences

June 18, 2026by: Mary Hudson - United States

Program: Learning through Living Together – LoPair Au Pair China

5

One thing I appreciate about this program is that you are able to focus on just living. Before taking the leap, I constantly made decisions around bills and working. For the time I have been here, I have met amazing people that have changed the course of my life and learned from teachers who taught me lessons beyond just Chinese. I am not saying that your experience will always be easy, but the plot is well worth it.

What an experience❤️⚽️

June 12, 2026by: Akhona Sibisi - South Africa

Program: Gap Year: Experience Life & Improve Your Soccer in Cape Town

4

Great opportunity, great coaching stuff, good facilities because there is almost everything a footballer needs, for me this place is a solid 7 out of 10. I've personally had a great time here and a lovely experience from football to life its self, very very good.

Excellent impressive!

June 11, 2026by: Mary-Anne M - Australia

Program: Teach in Spain | Live, Work & Travel Europe

5

Excellent impressive service from Hanna ('Hanna 2') and Global. You are well organised to move mountains in one phone call.! I didn't imagine the enquiry call would progress to a confirmed placement! A 16 year old seed has finally been reaped and now looking forward to the sewing season next year. Thankful for such a service as this. Thank you so much. Espana! Velvo a ti!

It Was an Incredible Experience I Ever Had!

June 10, 2026by: Malakhi M - United Kingdom

Program: Working Holiday in New Zealand | Your Kiwi Adventure

5

New Zealand is an amazing place, the sights and landscapes are absolutely incredible. From the time i arrived and even before i arrived i was guided through everything i needed for the trip and had things waiting for me. Although only a few weeks into my trip i feel that global work and travel have made this incredible trip feel amazing and i feel like I'm at home already.

The Warmth Was So Real

June 10, 2026by: Serena S - United States

Program: Working Holiday in New Zealand | Your Kiwi Adventure

5

My travel agent was amazing! She was so sweet and kind, she cared and made talking about this fun. She gave me ideas and is so good at what she does! She made me feel very comfortable and we laughed a lot and had fun. My experience was so awesome. I feel like i want to know her in person. I loved her!

They Just Made Sure I Didn't Mess It Up

June 10, 2026by: Steven S - Australia

Program: Working Holiday in New Zealand | Your Kiwi Adventure

5

I mainly used global work and travel to keep me on track for going to NZ. This was because I was already on a visa in another country not through glabal work and travel and I also wanted to meet/know people before hand. Global work and travel did both just swimmingly! I was able to meet the 5 other global work and travel people coming in to Auckland right when they arrived. I talked to 2 of them prior to me landing. We hung out and did activities everyday! It was cool to see pictures of the inclusion with All the Global work and travel people together. Even though our jobs are in different towns we still plan to meet up somewhere along the way! Also Hannah was very good at keeping me on track.

Didn't Think I'd Be This Settled This Fast

June 10, 2026by: Amelia A - United Kingdom

Program: Working Holiday in New Zealand | Your Kiwi Adventure

5

I booked pretty much everything with with Global Work and Travel which took a big stress off my shoulders. From the flights here which were really good to getting to the Attic it was really smooth. The Global team were really helpful and had good response times to any emails for questions. The team set me up with an interview for a job which I've now been at for almost a month and I'm loving it. I also decided to join the rugby team in the town I work and I'm really enjoying playing for them. I decided to keep the Sky walk in Auckland towards the end of my trip which I'm really happy i got the option to do. Overall I've had a really good experience in New Zealand and would highly recommend a visit.

Worth Every Penny

June 10, 2026by: Jason J - Canada

Program: Working Holiday in New Zealand | Your Kiwi Adventure

5

"For my first long-term international solo trip, Global Work & Travel has been such a reassuring asset that provided excellent support throughout the entire travel process. Without them, I would've hesitated at every step while planning my trip, questioning whether I checked every box I would need to or found the most suitable options. Their coordinators really streamlined the entire thing and set me up for success! Not only did they ensure that I followed a good time-frame to acquire all the necessary documentation, they would even arrange some of the transactions on my behalf after going over the service details and price with me, much of which I would have been poorly informed on otherwise. If you would prefer to obtain any of these things yourself, then they are more than willing to work with you. For example, you may want to secure a job and a place to stay way ahead of finalizing your trip as it was a bit nerve-racking having to wait until I was only a couple weeks out from my departure before they set up an interview. However, for me the most intimidating aspect of living abroad for an extended period is finding a reliable source of income. So I really appreciated how they work as liaisons for various businesses, though of course they can't work miracles as you'll still have to compete with other applicants. Many employers are looking to hire rather quickly and expect you to already have all that's required for you to begin working including your visa, bank account, and tax number. So GW&T gives you the best chance of landing a gig by ensuring you've covered all your bases, that you apply to opportunities relative to your experience and to companies that are familiar with hiring foreigners, and do so all on a timeline that's feasible for them to meet their workforce demands. Having put my complete trust in GW&T, it all worked out as they helped me find a real sweet position that fit my interests and came with accommodations! The initial hostel arrangement for when I first landed was also great and very convenient! They chose a clean, reputable place in a prime location and booked it alongside plenty of other travelers using their program so it was easy to make a lot of friends. Now that I've been through the planning procedure once myself, I could likely book another trip of this duration again on my own, but all the resources they provided and activities included were well worth it! I was able to learn about the culture and get a taste of what it has to offer while engaging in enjoyable experiences I likely wouldn't have bothered to organize personally. Although I can't guarantee you'll get as much as I did out of their services, I would definitely recommend them and would certainly work with them again myself!"

Such an Amazing Experience!

June 10, 2026by: Cameron C - Northern Mariana Islands (USA)

Program: Working Holiday in New Zealand | Your Kiwi Adventure

5

Global work and travel is an excellent stepping stone into the world of travel! They help you with everything you are going to need before your go abroad. With their help I was able to travel to New Zealand and get a job here. It's already been such an amazing experience. I have made new friends and got to do so many amazing things.

Didn't Have to Google a Single Thing

June 10, 2026by: Hector H - Hawaii (USA)

Program: Working Holiday in New Zealand | Your Kiwi Adventure

5

Global made planning my whole trip easier and less stressful. I didn't have to worry about where to find official documents or where I needed to go for insurance, flights, and immigration because they did that work and research for me. Megan my trip coordinator was always lovely to speak with and very helpful.

Didn't Expect to Find My People Here Too

June 10, 2026by: Libby L - Guam (USA)

Program: Working Holiday in New Zealand | Your Kiwi Adventure

5

Without the help of this amazing team of people I would have been lost. The pre booked excursions have made me memories of a lifetime. With all of the other travelers who chose this company have been some of the best people I've ever met & we are having the best time! :)

Easiest Decision I Ever Made

June 10, 2026by: Gabrielle G - Canada

Program: Working Holiday in New Zealand | Your Kiwi Adventure

5

The sign up process was very easy, I had quite a bit of time to prepare for traveling to NZ. Upon getting here, my arrivals coordinator set up for me to do the Auckland bridge walk with AJ Hackett (10/10) would recommend doing that. As well as wine tasting on Waiheke island. I got a job in an awesome little lakeside town and have had the opportunity to go white water rafting with Kaitiaki Adventures (captain jack was awesome) and got to do the bungy swing in Taupo.

Didn't Have to Think About a Single Thing

June 10, 2026by: Valerye V - United States

Program: Working Holiday in New Zealand | Your Kiwi Adventure

5

I appreciated how organized and well-structured the trip was. The itinerary was thoughtfully planned, and everything ran on schedule. My Trip Coordinator played a key role in making the experience smooth by providing timely updates, managing logistics efficiently, and being consistently available for any questions. Their professionalism made the trip significantly easier.

Latest Interviews

Luisa Rulfo

Luisa Rulfo

Baret Scholars

Alumni

What inspired me to go abroad was a mix of restlessness and curiosity—a need to understand the world beyond my small orbit. I always sensed that life ...

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Alisa Regassa

Alisa Regassa

Tidelines Institute

Alumni

I knew that Alaska was a place I'd wanted to visit—and visit meaningfully. I saw this opportunity, and it seemed like it was the perfect time and plac...

Read Full Interview
Vivianne Kaiwei Zhang Wei

Vivianne Kaiwei Zhang Wei

Wanderlust Exchange

Alumni

I was looking to take a gap year between my undergraduate and Master’s studies, and going to China just made sense to me.

Read Full Interview
Caoimhe Flood

Caoimhe Flood

EF Gap Year

Alumni

I have always loved to travel and this opportunity gave me the chance to explore places I have never been before. I also wanted to travel while I was ...

Read Full Interview
Drew Beasley

Drew Beasley

ARCC Programs

Alumni

When I was in high school, I never seriously considered taking time off from school. I started college at Chapman University in the fall of 2018. Unfo...

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Alexander Gagliardo

Alexander Gagliardo

InnerPathWorks

Alumni

I was having trouble succeeding at my engineering school during my first semester. They said, “Hey, if you're having trouble you can leave at anytime ...

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Charlie Aziz

Charlie Aziz

Where There Be Dragons

Alumni

I wanted to go somewhere that was completely unknown to me in order to really know what the world is like. With math and science never being my forte ...

Read Full Interview
Zohaib Qazi

Zohaib Qazi

(DEAD URL) Aupairia

Alumni

Traveling has always been something on my bucket list, for my own personal development and education. And now that I've finished up with university, i...

Read Full Interview
Ian Davis

Ian Davis

Omprakash

Alumni

I was raised in a small upstate New York town and felt that being immersed in another culture would be invaluable for my perspective.

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