Thailand, Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia Gap Semester
Program Overview
Explore Southeast Asia on a 10-week journey through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam—where travel becomes transformation. Volunteer at ethical elephant sanctuaries, trek to remote mountain villages, explore ancient temples, and engage with communities through meaningful, culturally respectful exchange.
This program combines adventure, service, and immersion to help you grow personally and gl...
Explore Southeast Asia on a 10-week journey through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam—where travel becomes transformation. Volunteer at ethical elephant sanctuaries, trek to remote mountain villages, explore ancient temples, and engage with communities through meaningful, culturally respectful exchange.
This program combines adventure, service, and immersion to help you grow personally and globally. Learn traditional crafts, share meals with host families, and experience resilience and hospitality in every community. Conservation work, ethical travel practices, and local partnerships ensure your impact is responsible and real.
With leadership training, guided reflection, and mentorship built into the experience, you'll return more confident, connected, and prepared for what’s next. W...
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Program Highlights
What's Included
Quick Details
- 9-12 Weeks
- Backpacking
- Camping
- Caving & Spelunking
- Climbing
- Cooking
Updated May 20, 2026
Program Details
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Locations
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Multiple Countries
- Cambodia
Available Terms / Availability
- Years Offered
- Year Round
Eligible Nationalities
- All Nationalities
Education Levels & Language
- Language
- English
- Education
- Any/All Education Levels Accepted
Accommodation Options
- Group living
- Guest House
- Home-stays
- Other
Application Procedures
- Phone/Video Interview
- Online Application
- Written Application
- Other
Age Requirement
18-25
Duration
- 9-12 Weeks
- After College
- Post High School
- During College
Starts At
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FAQs
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Our accommodations will vary from simple guesthouses and community home stays with shared facilities to modern hotels with private bathrooms. Laundry and Wi-Fi will be available on some days, except during expeditions or in homestays.
Pacific Discovery Interviews
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Ellie Schiappa
Participated in 2016
AlumniEllie is from a small town in western Pennsylvania, Grove City. She is a sophomore at Slippery Rock University, where she is majoring in environmental...
It was my freshman year of college, at a university that was my last choice of eight, and I was super unhappy. I hadn’t made a lot of friends, my roommates weren’t the best, and I had no idea what I wanted to major in. I reached a breaking point at the end of the spring semester, and through tears I started looking up the process of transferring to a school in Colorado. I had my transfer application filled out and ready to turn in when I realized that leaving my university in Western Pennsylvania was only going to solve part of my problems. What I really needed was a break; a break from school, and a break from real life, and a chance to get out and explore. So, I began the long search for a travel opportunity, and I spent two weeks obsessing over what to do and where to go.
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