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Top 10 Gap Year Programs
By
Cait Williams
Cait Williams is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cait recently graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Journalism and Strategic Communications. During her time at OU, was active in the outdoor recreation community.
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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
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Ever wonder exactly what people do during a gap year, and whether you might benefit by taking one? Maybe you are unsure about which gap year programs are worth taking a good look at? If you want answers to these questions, let us assure you, you are in the right place. In the following article, we will answer your questions and take a closer look at a variety of gap year programs.
What is a gap year?
A gap year can look different for every person who takes one. A traditional gap year looks like a student taking roughly a year or a semester off between high school and college to focus on experiential living. Sometimes, college students may also choose to take a gap year before starting their career or graduate studies.
While some people consider this a break or time off, it’s more helpful to think of this as “time on.” Students are still learning and growing, just not in a traditional academic environment. A big part of taking a gap year involves gaining a better understanding of yourself and the world around you.
How to know what gap year program is right for you
By this point in your gap year search, you might be starting to feel overwhelmed by all the options. There are so many programs to choose from! So, before we go into detail about some gap year programs, take a minute to answer some questions about what you’re looking to get out of your gap year.
Questions to ask yourself
- What are your interests? What things do you love, but maybe haven’t gotten the chance to explore?
- What colleges are you looking into? What kinds of things do you think that college might value seeing prospective students do during a gap year?
- What is your motivation for taking a gap year? Is there something specific in mind that you would like to do with your time?
- What is your financial situation? Do you need a fully-funded program?
A gap year program for your needs
The following list is not an endorsement of the gap year programs mentioned. We searched for a variety of reputable programs of varying costs. By reputable, we mean programs that are transparent with information on their websites. Some, such as the AmeriCorps are free, while others, such as the Amigos de las Américas, can cost the same as a full year’s tuition. Whatever your goal and financial situation, there is a gap program for you if you take the time to research. Remember to check on what is included for each program, as most do not include airfare and extra fees of any kind.
Top 10 gap year programs
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps may already be an organization you’ve heard a lot about. They are among one of the most popular programs that students engage with during their gap years. They offer programs from 3 – 12 months where people can work with non-profits, schools, public agencies and community and faith-based organizations. AmeriCorps members may also respond to natural disasters and work with veterans.
Depending on how long you choose to serve with AmeriCorps, you will receive some perks as well. AmeriCorps participants usually receive a monthly living stipend for rent, food, gas, and sometimes health benefits. AmeriCorps members may also receive money to pay for college, student loan deferment, job training, and future employment opportunities.
See also: Doing good and saving money through AmeriCorps
Global Volunteers
Global Volunteers has a vision of creating sustained volunteer programs all over the world. As a Global volunteer, you will make a difference by working to eradicate hunger, building schools, and working to improve healthcare in remote parts of the world. You’ll spend anywhere from one to three weeks at your destination engaging with the community and building relationships. Global volunteers can attend several trips and are a great short term option for students looking for programs with shorter time commitments. There are a variety of cost options, usually dependent on whether the program is in the USA or abroad.
Amigos de las Américas
Amigos de las Américas is a non-profit organization that works to grow and challenge students through education and immersive experiences in Latin America. They offer programs that range from two to thirty weeks in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, and more. Amigos strives to offer students as much support as possible, while also allowing them to be independent and make their gap year experience their own.
Limited college credit is available during Amigos programs through Western Colorado University. Their number one priority is offering students a space where they can feel safe to explore and learn about the world around them. Health and safety plans are made for each individual student before they depart on their gap year. Their website includes testimonials from instructors, volunteers, and students. Need-based assistance is available to those who qualify.
Where There Be Dragons
Where There Be Dragons is a gap year program that strives to be anything but mainstream. Instructors for their programs are graduate students, Peace Corps veterans, teachers, and U.N. development professionals. Through letting their instructors build on their personal interests and connections, each trip is slightly different.
The Dragons program strives to fully immerse students in their new surroundings by embracing a fully offline and unplugged policy. Their goal is to give students a meaningful experience that they can be actively involved in and not just passively participate in. Exploring the unknown, developing responsible travelers and cultivating a strong sense of reverence for our planet are all goals of the Where There Be Dragons gap year. Additionally, Where There Be Dragons is B Corp certified and dedicated to providing as much financial aid as possible!
CET Academic Programs
Originally called China Educational Tours, CET has been providing students with gap year plans since 1982. They offer programs in China, Japan, Jordan, France, and several other countries. Their programs are offered both in person and virtually. If you’re interested in being fully immersed in another place during your gap year, CET is for you!
CET focuses on educating students through non-traditional tourist destinations. There in person programs offer students the chance to live with host families, receive college credit, and be fully immersed in intensive language studies. Prices range for their programs, but financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.
Related: Countries with free college: how to get a free degree abroad
Global Citizen Year
Global Citizen Year’s goal is to give students the opportunity to reflect on who they are after high school graduation, to give them a better idea of who they want to be and what they want to pursue. They offer various programs to students that vary in length and location, some of which require no travel at all to participate in! Take some time to explore their website to find out if they are right for you! Global Citizen Year is extremely dedicated to being one hundred percent transparent about the total cost of their program. They do offer financial aid and understand that it is a bigger hurdle for some than others.
High Mountain Institute – HMI Gap
High Mountain Institute gap year programs are dedicated to building students up through exploration of some of the world’s most engaging and beautiful landscapes. They offer both fall and spring semester programs that include rock climbing, backpacking, whitewater rafting, trekking, backcountry skiing and traversing mountains!
They are aware that these programs can be a challenge for some families to afford, which is why they are committed to helping you fund your gap year. At least twenty-five percent of students receive financial aid, scholarships, or work with their prospective colleges to receive funding. They also are able to accept 529 plans. Take some time to review their website to see if their programs feel like the right fit for you!
Also see: Top summer programs for high school students
Sea Education Association
If you have a passion for our oceans, the Sea Education Association may just be the place for you. They offer both semester-long programs for undergraduate students looking to expand their knowledge and get hands-on experience. Every program SEA has offers can be taken for college credit through Boston University.
Their program gives students the academic instruction they need in order to carry out field work. Your gap year with them will include plenty of hands on work and time spent on the open waters. Their website clearly lays out each program, financial information and even includes blogs from students who have participated in their programs.
National Outdoor Leadership School
NOLS offers expeditions to many remote locations, as well as several wilderness medicine courses. The unique thing about NOLS is their commitment to people of all ages and backgrounds. While they are a great organization to spend your gap year with, they are welcoming to people of all ages who have a desire to grow through the outdoors.
Their programs range in length from a few days to several months. They are led by instructors who have a passion for sharing the outdoors and how we can safely and respectfully engage with the world around us. NOLS is a great option for anyone who may not want to commit to a full year away. Their programs offer you the chance to dive deeper into topics that may interest you, without having to commit all of your time and resources. Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.
Related: How to rock the summer before your senior year
Next Steps
Frequently asked questions about gap year programs
Do you have to travel abroad?
How do you pay for everything?
How does a gap year affect applying to college?
Make sure you avoid thinking that you can just put off thinking about college because you want to take a gap year. You may have a little extra time than your classmates, but use that time wisely. The Gap Year Association has more information on how to apply to college while taking a gap year.
Do you have to go somewhere for a whole year?
