GoAbroad
4.9 / 5Overall Rating
41Reviews
18Programs
2012Year established

About Korea Gapyear

Korea GapYear is a social enterprise certified by the government in education and travel. Established in 2012, Korea GapYear (KGY) stands as South Korea's pioneer GapYear agency, founded by a dedicated team empathetic to the struggles of feeling stagnant and uncertain about the future. Committed to facilitating transformative experiences, KGY offers a diverse range of programs tailored to individuals seeking change, including Volunteer Work, Internships, Local Stays, and Study Abroad opportunities.

Korea GapYear has developed over 1,000 projects across 50 countries, supporting more than 2,000 participants annually. We currently collaborate with universities and corporations across the world providing young people with opportunities to grow from a global perspective. These programs have established Korea GapYear as an organization that helps participants navigate periods of uncertainty, learn to love themselves, and design their own lives. Through GapYear, participants discover their own paths and achieve success in diverse areas such as entrepreneurship, academic pursuits, and social impact.

Korea GapYear was the first to introduce the "Gap Year" culture to Korea and officially define the term in Korean. As the first and only gap year agency in South Korea, we are committed to achieving our vision of creating a better and more open-minded society, continuing to establish the culture as a social enterprise.

Korea Gapyear Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about Korea Gapyear

4.9
41 reviews

Rating breakdown

5
38
4
3
3
0
2
0
1
0

Top categories

Program Administration
5.0
Internship Placement
5.0
Living Situation
4.9
Work Environment
4.9
Health & Safety
4.9
Social Life
4.9

Participated in a Korea Gapyear Program? Share your experience now.

Review this Provider

Showing 1-20 of 41 reviews

Nora *Canada · September 2026
From: Au Pair - Demi Pair in Seoul, Korea

The Best Decision!

My experience with Korea GapYear was truly amazing. Honestly, if it wasn’t for my school schedule, I would have loved to stay much longer in Korea. I have always dreamed of building a family in the future, and I have always loved spending time with children. I also had a strong desire to live abroad and experience life in a different country, so this was something very special for me. From the beginning, Korea GapYear helped me so much and match me with a host family that was a perfect for me. I was really lucky to meet such a wonderful family. They cared about me, supported me, and made me feel comfortable and welcomed. My parents were initially worried about me traveling alone to another country, but after seeing how happy and safe I was with my host family, they felt much more relieved. I truly found another family far away from home. Living in Seoul was such a fun and unforgettable experience. I enjoyed exploring the city, experiencing Korean culture, and studying Korean in my free time. I loved having a balance between time with my host family and children, learning about daily life in Korea, and having time to enjoy the city at my own pace. This experience gave me so many beautiful memories and helped me grow as a person. I never felt alone because i had my family and Korea GapYear supporting throughout the process and helped me feel safe in a completely new environment. I would absolutely recommend this experience to anyone who loves children, wants to experience living abroad, and hopes to explore a new country in a safe and meaningful way. Korea GapYear made my first experience in Korea comfortable, exciting, and unforgettable. This was my family, and I already know that I will definitely come back to Korea again someday. Thank you Korea GapYear for giving me such a wonderful chapter of my life! Read More What was your funniest moment? The most unfamiliar Korean food I tried was probably Dak-ball 닭발 (chicken feet)! 😄 I know the name “chicken feet” might not sound very appealing, but it is honestly SO delicious! I highly recommend trying it, especially the boneless type. There are also different versions like rosé ! Another interesting thing is that are known to be rich in collagen, so many people say they are good for your skin. Maybe this is one of the hidden beauty secrets of Koreans? 😉

Photos

Anna *Sweden · September 2026
From: Au Pair - Demi Pair in Seoul, Korea

6 months in Seoul!

I joined Korea gap year to spend six months in Korea as an au pair. I chose to spend my time in korea because I always loved children and was very curious about Korea and life in Seoul. Since I tend to worry a lot and was still quite young, I didn’t feel comfortable living alone in expensive housing in Seoul, so this program felt like a good and safe choice for me. I had the daytime free just for myself after i sent the kids to school. At first, going out every day didn’t feel easy, but I started Korean classes that were also recommended by Korea gap yeear. I also set a small goal to visit a new cafe. Korea has so many beautiful and unique cafes and I feel like I explored almost every neighborhood in Seoul. Compared to my home country, drinks are so cheap and the quality is amazing! Going to Korea was one of the best decisions I made. I didn’t expect learning a new language to be this enjoyable and it reminded me how meaningful it is to keep learning and experiencing new things. I would definitely recommend this experience to others. On top of everything, I met my very own Korean “family” that I will never forget!!

Donato JuniorUnited States · September 2026
From: Social Internship in South Korea with Korea Gapyear

Social Welfare/Environment Internship

I chose to do an internship in Korea, because I wanted to learn more about the working lifestyle and the culture here, since I feel like in the terms of world ranking, I would say it is very much developing and growing as a business center. I was having my internship for 3 months at a non profit organization. The people that worked at my internship were very sympathetic and welcoming. I went through the Korea GapYear program and they helped me find one, it was a real smooth sailing:) I would definitely recommend KGY!!! to anyone who wants to visit Korea or work in a Korean environment. It also helped to meet new people and discover new cultures. They were always communicating very very rapidly and are very attentive to the needs and expectations of those applied to their programs:)

Photos

Siva *Indonesia · September 2026
From: Social Internship in South Korea with Korea Gapyear

Business Administration Internship in Korea with KGY

Hello! My name is Siva from Indonesia and I was an intern in Korea Gap Year for 3 months. My experience working with Korea Gap Year was fun and challenging. It was fun because all of the workers treat me like their friends and even family member and I never feel alone or left out in this Office. At the first time I came to Korea, one of the coworker really help me to settle everything from mobile phone number to looking for a house in Korea. And it was challenging because working in this office makes me learn many things from how to conduct business in Korean culture and sharpen my research skills and negotiation skills.They gave me several tasks in one time and make me learn how to multi - task It is also of course, requires me to speak Korea which is good because I could improve more my Korean Language. Last but not least, it was a worth experience to working with Korea Gap Year and love to working more with Korea Gap Year.

Shedy *Netherlands · September 2026
From: Social Internship in South Korea with Korea Gapyear

Design Intern in Korea

Being here alone has made me truly independent, with a mindset shift towards prioritizing myself. Before, I always put others first, but living alone teaches you the importance of self-care because, without it, no one else will do it for you. This experience helped me grow, both personally and professionally, as I adapted to new challenges and learned the value of handling tasks in a professional way, which was a significant departure from my previous academic experiences. I am really grateful for the opportunity was given and would always come back to Korea.

Photos

Ambrine *France · September 2026
From: Social Internship in South Korea with Korea Gapyear

Amber

I am Amber, french student in international trade and I had a two-months internship at Korea GapYear. Thank you very much to Korea GapYear and to all the staff for allowing me to do my internship in Seoul as I really wanted to. They have been very nice and warm to me since the very first day and helped me integrate into korean life. They have been really understanding and allowed me to gain experience, knowledge and try new things during my internship. Thank you particularly to Olivia who was my tutor during this internship and who helped me not only with my work but with the preparation of my stay in Seoul and my integration into korean culture. They've been really open-minded as I came while I was fasting and that made me feel even more comfortable working with them. What was your funniest moment? Filming a video for applicants going to France (because I am myself) and having to scream to test the mic before each take.

Mary *United States · September 2026
From: Social Internship in South Korea with Korea Gapyear

3 month internship in Seoul

I had such a great time with my environmental internship in Seoul! Korea GapYear really makes sure to match up your internship with not only an internship relating to your job perspectives, but also takes into account the personality and culture of the workplace. At first I was nervous because I have heard a lot about how strict the rules are in Korean offices, but luckily my company was so open and welcoming, and not only the workers, but the CEO speak comfortably and in a friendly manner, so I was excited to show up to the office everyday. Overall, if you are looking for an internship provider, KGY does a great job at finding a fitting one for you!

Czarina MaePhilippines · September 2026
From: Social Internship in South Korea with Korea Gapyear

Unforgettable Experience!

My internship experience in South Korea was really really great to the point that I was just enjoying every moment of my working hours together with my colleagues. KoreaGapYear has been really dedicated, consistent and gave their best to support me from the beginning until the end of my internship placement. Most especially Bella & Olivia nim. My experience was really memorable for me and I will really treasure everything what I’ve learned with them. I enjoyed my stay so much and with the help of KGY it is really one of the best journey of my life. If I will be given a chance to make another experience I would definitely go ask help from KGY. Pros Becoming a quick learner, maturity & independent Experiencing the things I’ve never tried Being brave and open minded Cons No cons super great experience!

Photos

Luisa *Germany · September 2026
From: Social Internship in South Korea with Korea Gapyear

Reliable internship company

I am thankful that KGY for being so reliable and for always offering to help me. I felt very safe while talking to KGY. I am super grateful that I could rely on the help of KGY, as there wasn’t much time left until the internship started, I was excited and collected a lot new memories and experiences during my internship abroad.Thank you for accompanying me on my first day, I am really happy that i am able to have such a great start into the internship thanks to KGY. Thank you so much for finding me such a nice internship:)

Lauren *United States · September 2026
From: Social Internship in South Korea with Korea Gapyear

Entertainment Internship

Definitely recommend this program to other people! kgy is so kind and full of commiment kgy offers like a lot of choices to choose from like for me when I applied like there was like an education teaching aspect, a business aspect, a non-profit organization aspect, so literally anyone wants to come to Korea for an internship definitely recommend to go through kgy You guys are the best! Usually in the U.S people are very independent they like to do things on their own, but here in Korea like everyone especially at work, everyone works together as a team like they're so cooperative. At my company other people help me like working as a team I really like that a lot and everyone has an equal role like knowing how to work in a team! This internship has been like a hundred percent good match for me I don't think I would have been able to find something like this without kgy’s help! Thank you

Photos

Alex *United States · September 2026
From: Social Internship in South Korea with Korea Gapyear

My experience as IT intern at KGY

My internship is going great! I am currently doing an IT internship in Seoul. Time does fly fast. I can’t believe my internship is already coming to an end but I really enjoyed it. I learned a lot of new things and I feel like my Korean language skills as well as my understanding of Korean culture have both significantly improved. Outside of my internship, I have really been enjoying my stay here in Korea. It has been a blast so far. Thank you so much Korea gap year for everything. I appreciate the time that I have spent in Korea.

Photos

Lenin PusparajBelgium · September 2026
From: Social Internship in South Korea with Korea Gapyear

What an experience!

Finding an Internship in Korea can be easier with KoreaGapYear, especially as a student having a lot on my plate already. KoreaGapYear was recommended to me by one of my university's classmate students. And that's how my journey with KoreaGapYear began. I worked as a Digital Marketing Intern at KoreaGapYear, where I witnessed the team's ardent efforts to support individuals in achieving their aspirations and goals by offering Internships, Gap Years, Exchange Programs, and Language Programmes. KoreaGapYear is a great idea!

Ryan *United States · September 2026
From: Social Internship in South Korea with Korea Gapyear

Best Choice for Korea

My stay in Korea was amazing because of Korea Gap Year. From the first email, the entire staff at Korea Gap Year truly cares about providing you with the best experience possible. I had the privilege of having Bella coordinate my internship/Korean journey and she was fantastic in every way. The internship application process is more thorough than in similar programs meaning, your specific interests and needs are taken into consideration throughout the entire application process (I worked with other programs which were far more vague). In addition, after you are placed in an internship you get to select your housing from several options provided by Korea Gap Year. My housing location was great since it was very close to the subway and plenty of stores/restaurants. While in Korea Bella and Olivia would consistently check in on me and answer any questions I had regarding Korean living. Of course, my internship (in marketing) was perfect and exactly what I was looking for. My host company's staff were all very friendly even taking me out on several social activities. I cannot recommend Korea Gap Year enough and would suggest anyone still deciding to at least interview with them and I promise you will not be disappointed!

Franziska *Germany · August 2026
From: Social Internship in South Korea with Korea Gapyear

Great program!

The program was the reason I could come to Korea in the first place. The staff was very helpful when it came to finding a suitable internship! I could always contact them if I needed help or was unsure about something! They were also always nice and friendly! I was also happy to learn that they offered activities and even educational trips themselves! I can recommend this program to everyone who wants to travel to Korea without worries!! I had an incredible time and could travel and work at the same time!

Photos

Reina *Netherlands · August 2026
From: Social Internship in South Korea with Korea Gapyear

6 months KGY Internship

I think KGY is great when it comes to guidance. It was my first time in Korea and I had a lot of questions and stumbled across some problems in there but I felt relieved when I knew that KGY was there if I had any concerns. I learned a lot about me and my ways of working at the internship and I feel like this will be very useful in my future! KGY helped me a lot finding out how to do stuff and they also gave me the documents I needed for my university and accreditation. I’m pretty satisfied with what I did because I like to do editing a lot and I also mentioned that to KGY that's what I mainly did during my internship, making a lot of videos, and creating and editing them. So thank you so much for everything Korea Gap Year.

Photos

Corine *Belgium · August 2026
From: Beauty/ SkinCare Internship in Seoul

2 months in a skin care beauty company in Seoul

I did an internship in South Korea in Seoul as a beauty and Skin Care intern. How I found out about korea gapyear, basically we were several students from the same class and same university that wanted to come to korea and one of my classmates she introduced me to a korea gapyear and she gave me the email address at the beginning i didn't know about the program at all and then later on I thought that korea gapyear turned out to be very beneficial for me because it was my first time in Asia and I really wanted to feel that comfortable for my first-ever trip alone and so decided to like let Korea GapYear do the job it really helped me a lot and I would definitely like do it again Come to Korea gapyear if you want to go to come to korea, they will help you with everything every paperwork for internship.

Photos

Ines *Belgium · August 2026
From: Social Internship in South Korea with Korea Gapyear

great opportunity

It felt a bit overwhelming just because there was so much information and new things I had to discover for my internship but the team is great has been great, they are friendly, some of them speak French and I love the atmosphere already. For my first day on my internship I had a meeting with the CEO and he explained to me the whole story behind the company It was interesting and I could tell he is really passionate about it so it’s great. But it has been good so far and I had a lot of company dinners and I was really excited about that. I 100% enjoyed my time in Korea and happy I had a great internship experience.

Photos

Elijah *United States · August 2026
From: Social Internship in South Korea with Korea Gapyear

Sports Internship at Korean Company

Hey, I am Elijah, 22 years old from Hawaii. I was in Korea to be a Marketing and Content Creator at a Sports Company for 3 months. I came alone to Korea, and this was actually my first time going abroad in general, since I have only been within the United States, so it was definitely a huge step for me. I would highly recommend Korea GapYear to anyone who wants to come to South Korea or just wants to experience living in Korea, working in Korea. It does not matter what you do, I am sure that they can find the perfect job for you. My advice to future participants is just to get yourself out there. I mean, for me, I am a very introverted person and so getting myself out there was a little difficult at first. But if you do some research maybe beforehand, before coming, you can find yourself a little community that you can get yourself connect to and just really enjoy every moment you have here.

Photos

Devon *United States · August 2026
From: Beauty/ SkinCare Internship in Seoul

Skin Care Internship in Korea

I worked for a Korean Skin Care Company for 5 months that also does Marketing for other Skin Care Companies. So in a typical day, I do a lot of social media work. I decided to come to South Korea, because I was really interested in the culture and the language and since I have been always interested in Skin Care, I thought that Korea would be the best place to do that. I wanted to do an internship in Korea, because I thought it would be a really great way to build the cultural understanding skills for future careers. And I found KoreaGapYear when searching for different option for doing an internship in Korea on Gooverseas and when I found it I thought it sounded like a really great option I would definitely recommend KGY because it was a very simple process with very prompt responses. It has been definitely the best experience! I am going to miss so much and come back for sure!

Photos

Shruti *India · August 2026
From: Social Internship in South Korea with Korea Gapyear

Must Recomment K-Pop Entertainment Internship in Korea

I'm not confident in Korean I just know how to say Annyeonghaseyo. Saranghae. I love you. I love BTS that's all I need to say. And I have been in South Korea for the past one month and a half. I have about 15 days left. So, I'm doing an internship in marketing and PR. It's in a K-pop entertainment company. It has been good. At the start, it was a bit new. I'm not used to sitting at the desk for such a long period. And this is my first internship, so now I'm used to it. It's a bit easier. All the people over there are really helpful and kind. I'm doing business administration and international business. My school wanted us to do a compulsory internship in our first year. At first, it was just additional work. I didn't want to do an internship right after my exams, since it's my vacation. So, I had to go somewhere that I would actually enjov. So, I was like, I'll just go to South Korea. It's the perfect thing for me. I love BTS. That's why I chose South Korea. It's basically because of BTS. And I don’t regret for a second and I have been really enjoying myself so much. I would definitely recommend it to everyone!

Photos

Korea Gapyear Programs

Browse programs you might like

Korea Gapyear

4.92

24 reviews

Social Internship in South Korea with Korea Gapyear

Join Korea GapYear's Internship Program for a life-changing experience! Designed with you in mind, our program is here to help you discover your ...

Korea Gapyear

4.92

12 reviews

Beauty/ SkinCare Internship in Seoul

Grab this highly coveted internship opportunity with Korea GapYear (KGY)! Step into the heart of Korea’s skincare and beauty industry and gain h...

Korea Gapyear

5

3 reviews

Mediatern - Content Creation Internship in Korea

Interns coming to South Korea often do not feel engaged or entertained during their program. Therefore, KGY has designed a program focusing on en...

Korea Gapyear

5

2 reviews

Au Pair - Demi Pair in Seoul, Korea

Join the Korea GapYear Au Pair - Demi Pair Program. Work, travel, and experience the beauty of South Korea while living with a welcoming Korean h...

Korea Gapyear

No reviews yet

Korean Meditation Retreat at 1,000 Year Old Chukseosa Temple

This healing project takes you deep into Korea to experience traditional Korean and Buddhist culture just for yourself. Taste Korean traditiona...

Korea Gapyear

No reviews yet

Teach English to Children While Learning Korean in Jeonju

This is a volunteer project where you teach English to children in Korean care centers while growing together with them. Beyond simply teaching, ...

Korea Gapyear

No reviews yet

Volunteer at a Dog Shelter and Heal Together in Jeonju,Korea

This volunteer program gives international participants the opportunity to care for abandoned dogs at a local shelter in Jeonju. Through daily ac...

Korea Gapyear

No reviews yet

Learn Hair & Makeup: Beauty training in Jeonju, Korea

This program offers professional training in Korean beauty techniques. You will have the opportunity to experience and learn about K-beauty—globa...

Korea Gapyear

No reviews yet

Opening My Own Nail Shop: Learning Nail Art in Jeonju, Korea

This is a professional training program where you can learn nail art techniques in Jeonju, South Korea. Gain hands-on experience with Korean beau...

Korea Gapyear

No reviews yet

Professional Pet Grooming Training Program in Jeonju, Korea

This professional training program offers hands-on experience in Korean dog grooming, covering basic scissor techniques, breed-specific grooming ...

Korea Gapyear

No reviews yet

Social Enterprise Internship in Jeonju

This internship project takes place in Jeonju, a city where traditional Korean culture and modern local life come together. As an intern at a s...

Korea Gapyear

No reviews yet

Community Support and Education Volunteering in South Korea

Make a meaningful impact while exploring South Korea through Korea Gap Year’s Community Support and Education Volunteering program. Designed for ...

Korea Gapyear

No reviews yet

Animal Welfare Volunteering in South Korea

Support rescued animals and experience Korean culture up close through Korea Gap Year’s Animal Welfare Volunteering program. This program is idea...

Korea Gapyear

No reviews yet

Environmental Conservation Volunteering in South Korea

Make a positive impact on the planet while discovering the beauty of South Korea. Korea Gap Year’s Environmental Volunteering program invites ind...

Korea Gapyear

No reviews yet

Arts and Culture Volunteering in South Korea

Turn your creativity into a force for connection and change through Korea Gap Year’s Art & Culture Volunteering program. Whether you're painting ...

Korea Gapyear

No reviews yet

Surf the Emerald green Sea of Gangneung, South Korea

This is a program where you can learn surfing and enjoy a peaceful time by the beach in Gangwon-do. Lessons are included so that even beginners c...

Korea Gapyear

No reviews yet

Childcare Volunteering in South Korea

Childcare support in South Korea involves fun educational activities like games, arts and crafts, while also helping prepare nutritious meals for...

Korea Gapyear

No reviews yet

Learn Korean with KGY 1:1 Private Class

Our KGY Private Korean 1:1 classes offer personalized, one-on-one language instruction designed to meet each student's unique needs. Whether you ...

Get in Touch

Contact Korea Gapyear

Have a question? Send us a message and the Korea Gapyear team will get back to you.

Step 1 of 5Program

Which program are you interested in?

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to all the most common questions about Korea Gapyear.

When can I start my Program?

Most of our programs offer flexible start dates throughout the year, but keep in mind that once you have sent your Application and Program fee, you must wait for confirmation of your placement as well as your visa confirmation before organizing your flight. 

Who is eligible to apply?

Anyone from 18+ who is curious about the world, enjoy new challenges. Priority is given to those who demonstrate open-mindedness, flexibility, and understanding of the meaning of “Team Work”. Or maybe you are a student who has not decided on a course of study yet but who wants to have some previous working experience before making up your mind can also apply.

What are the lengths of the programs?

The available program length depends on the specific program. Most programs are available for 4 to 24 weeks, allowing participants to choose the duration that best fits their schedule. For a more meaningful and rewarding experience, we generally recommend participating for 8 to 12 weeks or longer. If you would like to participate for more than 24 weeks, please consult with your program coordinator to discuss the available options.

Do I need to speak Korean?

It is recommended that you have at least an Intermediate level of Korean OR be fluent in English before starting your Internship. You will be working in a Korean-speaking environment. This is a very crucial barrier some students face. Not knowing the language prevents you from performing many activities so keep in mind that the more Korean you know, the more responsibilities you will be given and in turn, you will learn more. 

How are the placements done?

Once you are accepted into our program you will receive a placement proposal according to your academic needs and your professional profile. That proposal is subject to the Host Organization's confirmation, based on availability when you apply, as well as on the information you submit in the Internship application.

Korea Gapyear Interviews

Read interviews from alumni or staff

Sophia Sørensen

Sophia Sørensen

Participated in 2025

Alumni

Sophia, from Denmark, is interested in beauty and is always eager to learn through experiences. She joined an internship program in Seoul, and through...

I have always wanted to experience living in another country while developing skills that would help me in my future career. South Korea stood out to me because of its culture and global influence, especially in beauty. 

Show Full Interview

Recognitions & Awards

Awards and accreditations earned by this provider

st
KSE
AWS
Leisure
SBB
National Award
Leisure Friendly Company
Certified Social Enterprise

Have more questions?

We're here to help!

The GoAbroad team is here to support you as you choose the best program for you, and Korea Gapyear is also happy to answer any questions you have.

Trusted by millions of travelers worldwide since 1997