Guide to Weighing Your Gap Year Option
Considering a gap year? The options are endless…and a bit overwhelming!
As you research your options, be sure you know your gap year goals. Your purpose will help to inform your research. Here are some useful resources to consult as you begin to plan.
A great place to start is with the Gap Year Association (GYA). GYA serves as the Standards Development Organization (SDO) for gap year education in the United States, acknowledged by both the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. A not-for-profit member association, GYA helps to vet and accredit gap year organizations. Here are a few useful resources from their site:
Accredited Gap Year Organizations This list includes larger, well-known organizations like NOLS, Outward Bound, and Education First (EF) as well as lesser known companies like Omprakash and Amigos De Las Americas.
As You Search for Gap Year Programs, Consider the Following:
Reviews and Alumni Insight:
Explore online reviews and connect with alumni for firsthand experiences.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the program by learning about both positive and negative aspects.
Clear Information Access:
Choose programs that prioritize transparent communication.
Details such as prices, curriculum, housing, meals, and travel logistics should be easily accessible.
Organizational Partnerships:
Inquire about affiliations with universities or reputable organizations.
Research potential internships or volunteer opportunities associated with these partnerships.
Alumni Resources for Future Success:
Seek programs that offer post-gap year support.
Inquire about resources like assistance in securing positions, recommendation letters, alumni networking, and other forms of support.
Respect for Local Culture and Environment:
Choose programs that prioritize respect for local culture, environment, and individuals.
Assess factors such as local ownership of service organizations, fair treatment of staff, and alignment with local guidance.
Comprehensive Support and Assistance:
Evaluate communication channels and assistance levels.
Choose programs that offer personalized, friendly, and consistent support, addressing questions from visas to dietary preferences.
Looking for Some Great Gap Year Program Options? Check Out Some of These Providers:
Travel & Cultural Immersion
EF Gap Year offers a diverse collection of programs, including internships, language schools, and service activities worldwide. Students can customize their semester or year-long experience to enhance their skills before entering university.
WorldStrides provides gap year programs in performing arts, language immersion, career exploration, service-learning, study abroad, and sports. The International Study Abroad (ISA) program allows participants to design their own path and prioritize elements important to them for personal growth within a community of like-minded travelers.
Where There Be Dragons offers in-depth foreign travel programs with a focus on political science, history, sustainability, economics, and language immersion in diverse locations, including Morocco, Nepal, and the Colorado Basin.
Sea⎸Mester - offers a unique study abroad and gap year program at sea, with semester-long voyages focusing on hands-on learning, formal education, and adventure. The program provides USF-accredited academic courses and certifications in skills like scuba diving and sailing.
Amigos de las Americas - Since 2012, AMIGOS has been facilitating transformative international experiences for students aged 17–22, allowing them to live, study, and work in various cities across Latin America. These experiences involve genuine language and cultural immersion, staying with local families, and engaging in meaningful internship opportunities.
Irish Gap Year - accredited by Europe's only Gap Year Association, emphasizes community integration, nature immersion, experiential education, arts exploration, meaningful travel, volunteering, and cultural exchange in Irish and European programs.
Internships and Work Experience
VA Corps, based in Cape Town, South Africa, offers tailor-made internships in various fields, providing experiential learning, enhancing resumes, and fostering global connections.
Workaway - facilitates cultural exchange through work, offering opportunities from farming in British Columbia to teaching art in Peru. It is suitable for young adults seeking free-form experiences and is less structured than traditional gap year programs.
HelpX - connects students with hosts seeking volunteer help, facilitating free global travel in exchange for services. An advanced feature helps users find like-minded companions, creating a support network. The program includes farmstays, homestays, ranches, lodges, and hostels, with participants working four hours daily for complimentary accommodation and meals. Ideal for self-reliant students comfortable with independent travel.
Service Opportunities:
AmeriCorp - a service-oriented program, offers traditional, FEMA, Summer of Service, and Forest options, providing opportunities for hands-on work, disaster preparedness, environmental stewardship, and fire prevention.
Raleigh International - offers student-led volunteer expeditions for sustainable development in remote areas such as South Africa and Costa Rica, aiming to challenge participants, disconnect from technology, reconnect with people and nature, and make a positive impact.
Volunteer Services Overseas - VSO fosters transformation by collaborating with volunteers and partners to empower individuals in some of the world's most impoverished and neglected areas.
Outdoors Adventure:
NOLS focuses on outdoor skills development, including backpacking, sea kayaking, and mountaineering, with experienced instructors fostering connections to nature and appreciation for simple living.
Gapforce - This Costa Rica gap year program offers students the opportunity to enhance diving skills and delve into marine science. Located on the stunning Pacific coast, participants will receive hands-on training in marine conservation, aiming to become certified Divemasters. The program includes unique experiences like swimming with dolphins, whales, rays, turtles, and sharks. Students will also learn practical marine science survey techniques, contribute to coral and fish surveys, gain Rescue Diver certification, study ecology, and assist with coral rehabilitation.
Outward Bound - Embark on accredited Outward Bound Semesters to explore remote, rugged landscapes, fostering personal growth in confidence, leadership, and communication. These transformative expeditions are designed for those seeking challenging and enriching adventures that go beyond traditional travel experiences. The itineraries, spanning the globe, provide life-affirming learning opportunities, shaping your perspective on yourself and the world.
Still At a Loss? Consider Using a Gap Year Consultant to Guide Your Planning:
The Center for Interim Programs - With over 50 years of collective experience in experiential and international education, Interim has collaborated with more than 8,000 families and 6,600 programs globally. They offer a complimentary 90-minute consultation to anyone intrigued by the concept of taking gap time.
J2Guides - Jane and Jason Sarouhan, the co-founders, have dedicated three decades to assisting young adults in various settings, including wilderness, international, and experiential environments. They are experts in every sense of the word: They embarked on gap time themselves, served as field instructors leading numerous students, directed a national educational nonprofit, and, for the past 14 years, have been gap year consultants.
EnRouteConsulting - EnRoute Consulting has been offering gap year counseling to families in the United States and globally since 2008. Julia Rogers, a professional gap year counselor accredited by the Gap Year Association, takes pride in her expertise in navigating the intricate process of designing a meaningful gap year. Every EnRoute consultation is distinct, tailored to the individual objectives of each student.
A Gap Away - A more affordable option, Sandy Storer's journey as a gap year specialist has been shaped by three decades of professional social work experience, a lifetime dedicated to adventurous travel, and a profound recognition of the importance of dedicating time to personal growth.
When considering which structured gap year program is right for you, identify your end goals and what experiences you want to have before heading off to college or into the world of work. If your goal is travel, community service, learning outside of a classroom, or all of the above, there are programs and experiences that fit your needs.
Studies show that taking a gap year can lead to higher college GPAs and increased job and life satisfaction. In essence, taking the time to discern your definition of success is a clear path to achieving it. Whatever you choose, taking the time to be thoughtful in how you shape your future is always worth it.
