The Best Gap Year Programs for After High School

We tapped educational experts to find the most popular gap year programs after high school and got their tips on picking the best option.

As an alternative to going straight from the halls of high school to the academia of college, many young adults take a gap year as a chance to explore new skills, travel, or volunteer. A gap year is an intentional, focused break between high school and college. During a gap year, young adults can hone in on an interest, gain valuable life experience, and perhaps even earn money.

A gap year can be an excellent option for those who aren't sure they're ready for college or want to have other adventures first. It can also help some determine whether college, trade school, or working right away is best for them.

While a gap year can be formal or informal, gap year programs are more intentionally set up to help young adults determine the next steps and gain on-the-ground experience. You can expect inclusive travel programs to cost many thousands of dollars, covering transportation, lodging, food, and instruction. Most programs have payment plans and fundraising support, and some offer scholarships. Contact the respective programs for exact details.

Read on for a selection of some of the top gap year programs for after high school according to educational experts.

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EF Gap Year

Essentially a "greatest hits" collection from the popular, teen-centric Education First (EF) Tours, the EF Gap Year programs incorporate time in internships, at language schools, and participating in service activities, all in different parts of the world. Students can tailor their semester or year-long program so it best helps them round out the skills they'd like to develop before starting at university.

Some options include cultural immersion in London, Barcelona, and Paris; language instruction in Nice; sustainable development programs in Thailand; internships in Tokyo; and leadership academy at EF's executive education campus at Ashridge House (a literal castle outside of London).

All of this empowers young adults to come home fueled with life-changing experiences and new tools to power lives of fulfillment and positive impact, says EF Gap Year president Christian Meyer.

  • Length: Year-long, semester, or 4-week options
  • Location: Europe, South Pacific, US and Canada, Asia, Africa
  • Focuses: Travel, leadership, language, and cultural immersion

WorldStrides

A leader in educational travel and experiential learning, WorldStrides offers gap year programs that include performing arts, language immersion, career exploration, service-learning, study abroad, and sports. "Each of these experiences helps students to see beyond the classroom and see the world—and themselves—in new ways," says CEO Robert Gogel.

In addition, the International Study Abroad (ISA) by WorldStrides gap program contains diverse opportunities and allows participants to "choose their own adventure" in designing their path. Participants can prioritize elements they feel are important to them while fostering personal growth from the security of a community of like-minded travelers.

  • Length: From a couple of weeks to a semester
  • Location: Europe, US, North America, Asia, Africa, Central America, South America, Oceana
  • Focuses: Performing arts, language immersion, sports, service learning, career exploration

VA Corps

If you're looking for an internship program based abroad, look no further than VA Corps. This gap year program, based in Cape Town, South Africa, offers tailor-made internships in a variety of fields, including medicine, psychology, occupational or physical therapy, human rights, political science, media, and business.

The program offers experiential learning, adds an impressive line item to a young person's resume, and helps them build connections with people from all over the world.

  • Length: Five to 12 weeks
  • Location: South Africa
  • Focus: Internships in nearly every professional field

Where There Be Dragons

Although the name may sound a little dreamy, Where There Be Dragons is firmly planted in reality, with some of the most in-depth foreign travel programs available to gap year students. It offers political science, history, sustainability, economics, and language immersion in far-flung locales such as Morocco or Nepal as well as those closer to home in spots like the Colorado Basin.

This gap year program offers college credits as part of their programs (check with your college of choice if these will be transferable). This program is one of the most expensive options, but financial aid is available.

  • Length: Summer, semester, or independent 6+ week options
  • Location: Asia, South America, Central America, Africa, North America
  • Focuses: Language immersion and cultural education

Habitat for Humanity

For young adults who want to volunteer and spend time helping others, Habitat for Humanity offers several ways to be of service in their "Youth" programs.

The most immersive option for young adults looking for gap year programs after high school is Habitat for Humanity's joint program with AmeriCorps. These collaborative programs offer positions at local Habitat organizations across the US. In this program, participants can learn and develop new skills while serving a critical role in helping Habitat create homes for those in need. There is a small living allowance for those who qualify.

  • Length: One year
  • Location: United States
  • Focus: Community development and housing

AmeriCorps

Speaking of AmeriCorps, this program is another top option for those looking for service opportunities. The program offers the following options:

  • Traditional: Paired with local nonprofits for hands-on work
  • FEMA: Disaster preparedness and recovery
  • Summer of Service: Environmental stewardship and affordable housing
  • Forest: Fire prevention, reforestation

While most programs are limited to people 18 years of age and up, some do accept applications from 16 and 17 year olds. A modest living allowance is offered.

  • Length: Summer, 10 months, full-year options
  • Location: United States
  • Focuses: Nonprofit, humanitarian, environmental

Raleigh International

Raleigh International is a favorite gap year option of Ed Zamora, a college advisor and director at Principia Prep. This student-led volunteer gap year program has global opportunities for sustainable development in remote areas such as South Africa and Costa Rica.

Raleigh International calls their programs "expeditions," and their goal is to help young people challenge themselves, disconnect from technology, reconnect with people and nature, and make an impact. Service options include:

  • Improving primary and secondary school facilities
  • Infrastructure maintenance and wildlife research
  • Adventure leadership treks
  • Building sustainable food gardens
  • Alien plant removal, tree planting, and combatting soil erosion

Note that there is both an application process and a cost (although not as high as the educational travel companies).

  • Length: Four to 10 weeks
  • Location: Costa Rica, South Africa
  • Focuses: Community, environmental, adventure leadership

The Leap

This UK-based organization offers volunteer travel options in group "structured" environments and independent plans (a rarity). The Leap creates hands-on opportunities to travel while working on sustainability projects. This program caters to youth looking for gap year programs after high school, mid-life adventurers, and corporate volunteers.

Gap year program opportunities include community efforts like building jiko stoves or teaching in a local school; environmental efforts like helping baby turtles reach the ocean; and adventuring through treks, mountain hikes, and river rafting.

Note that these options incur tuition costs.

  • Length: Three, four, or five weeks
  • Location: Columbia, Peru, Costa Rica, Kenya, Vietnam
  • Focuses: Community, environmental, adventure leadership

Workaway

Workaway encourages cultural exchange through work, from WOOFing (WOrking On a Farm) in British Columbia to teaching art to children in Peru. These opportunities are less structured than regular gap year programs after high school, and your teen will be working in exchange for room and board. But this can be a good option if they want to see the world for free.

Workaway is a platform that offers a way for travelers to connect with hosts all over the world. To start, your teen will create a profile and connect with hosts looking for their skills. There are more than 50,000 projects available across 170 countries with opportunities in everything from farming and gardening to animal and child care.

Workaway is best for young adults who don't need a structured program and are comfortable being on their own.

  • Length: Varies by project (most request a minimum of a week stay with placements lasting up to a year or more)
  • Location: Global
  • Focuses: Travel, community

HELPX

HELPX is a site similar to Workaway: It lists hosts who need volunteer help, allowing students to travel the world for free in exchange for their work. However, one advanced option on HELPX is connecting with possible companions of the same age and interests to create a support network.

HELPX offers many different types of stays, including farmstays, homestays, ranches, lodges, and hostels. The typical arrangement is for helpers to work four hours daily in exchange for free accommodation and meals. This program is best for independent students who are comfortable traveling independently.

  • Length: Varies by situation and is mutually agreed on between host and helper
  • Location: Global
  • Focuses: Travel, community, farm work

Sea|Mester

This study abroad and gap year program takes place at sea! This semester-long voyage focuses on hands-on learning, formal education, and adventure. At Sea|Mester, you are a crew member of a sailboat on voyages that can include routes like South Africa to the Caribbean, the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, Fiji to Bali, and the Virgin Islands to Antigua.

This gap year program boasts USF-accredited academic courses, which may be transferable to a college or university (though check ahead of time with the university of your choice to be sure). You'll also gain certification in specific skills like scuba diving, sailing, safety, and skipper and crew training.

  • Length: 20 to 90 days
  • Location: Atlantic Ocean
  • Focuses: Sailing, boating, travel

Irish Gap Year

Irish Gap Year is Europe's only Gap Year Association-accredited program. Its goal is to help develop independent and resilient young people through community integration, immersion in nature, experiential education, exploration of the arts and creativity, meaningful travel, volunteering, and cultural exchange.

This program has an Irish and European program option, and within each, you can choose one that focuses on leadership, exploring, or arts and culture. Depending on your chosen program, you could spend days working with local artists, exploring off-the-beaten tracks, and visiting museums and national parks.

  • Length: Around 28 to 80 days
  • Location: Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia
  • Focus: Travel, community, adventure, arts

More Resources

To find even more gap year options, check out Go Abroad. This online search engine and clearing house for international travel programs offers all the information about gap year programs after high school at your fingertips. For additional resources, including how to get started and self-plan a gap year, check out with the Gap Year Association, which provides a wealth of information.

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