The Best Gap Year Programs for 2023

With so many options, a gap year (or gap time...who says it has to be exactly a year?) can be practically anything you can dream of! Interested in learning how to become a ski instructor? There’s a gap program for that. Want to travel the world via boat? Yep, there’s a gap program for that, too. A gap year is not about what you do, but instead, it's about dedicating time to grow as an individual through experiential learning.

All of this variety can make choosing a gap program a little overwhelming. So we’re here to make it easier. We’ve compiled a list of the best gap year programs broken down into popular categories to inspire you to dream big for your next adventure!

When it comes to planning a gap year, the possibilities are truly endless. After all, a gap year is simply productive time away from a traditional academic or work setting. While there are certain things that a gap year is not (a gap year is not a year you spend on your couch watching Friends reruns), there aren’t too many rules about what a gap year can be.

Since a gap year can mean many things to different people, you may be wondering what a gap year program actually is. A gap year program is a coordinated set of activities that provide experiential learning opportunities as a way of giving young adults a break from academia or traditional work while still providing valuable life lessons.

Gap year programs often focus on cultural immersion through travel, and can be specialized in various different ways, including by destination and activities like adventure travel or language immersion.

Cost: $$$
Length: Four 7-week long seasonal quests
What's included: Accommodation, meals, activities, local transportation, and equipment

✅ Pros:

• Encourages gappers to develop stronger problem-solving skills
• Strengthens body and mind through nature activities

❌ Cons:

• Strict phone rules
• Limited personal time

This year-long program is broken up into four action-packed adventures corresponding with the seasons. Each quest will combine adventurous activities with soft skill development to prepare participants for university, the corporate world, and life in general. Warriors Academy focuses on community service, self-development, eco-consciousness, and workplace readiness activities, to give students a well-rounded gap year experience. This program is based in South Africa and includes travel around the country and region.

With over 16 years of experience facilitating gap years, Warriors Academy has a proven track record and is highly reviewed by program alum. Participants are signing up for the adventure of a lifetime but will also be challenged to become more critical thinkers, better problem solvers, and more confident individuals.

Cost: $$$$
Length: 79 Days (fall), 80 days (spring)
What's included: Accommodation, meals, activities, local transportation, and equipment

✅ Pros:

• Program offers a lot of fun activities such as surfing, hiking, and paddle-boarding
• Includes up to 80 hours of meaningful volunteering opportunities

❌ Cons:

• Limited privacy, as you’ll be socializing with other gappers
• Having a packed schedule can be tiring for some – but it’ll be worth it!

Develop leadership skills, give back through community service, and immerse yourself in the Irish culture through the Irish Gap Year Adventure and Leadership Program. Gappers who partake in this program will be challenged both physically and mentally through adventure in the rugged Irish wilderness.

The Adventure and Leadership program goes far beyond camping in remote areas, surfing the Donegal Bay, and visiting towns across Ireland. Gappers will focus on "4 cornerstones" designed to provide soft skills and build independence throughout the two-and-a-half-month program. These cornerstones are outdoor adventure, leadership skills, cultural immersion, and community volunteering. Participants will ultimately complete 80 hours of volunteering within the local communities to give back between the various excursions.

Cost: $
Length: 2-weeks to 6-months
What's included: Airport pick up and drop off, accommodation, meals, SIM card, on-the-ground support, certificate of completion

✅ Pros:

• Past volunteers rave about the strong friendships made while on the program
• Supportive staff -- prioritizes safety and is there to help volunteers 24/7

❌Cons:

• Important to keep in mind that your accommodations will be more basic than what you’re probably used to back at home
• The exposure to local socio-economic issues can be overwhelming for some participants

Volunteer in Ghana with Plan My Gap Year (PMGY) facilitates community development projects in the historic city of Kumasi, Ghana ranging from English teaching to childcare and much more. Volunteering abroad can be an expensive endeavor, but PMGY provides access to high-impact projects at an affordable price. Volunteers will go through an orientation with a local team and work on projects either in schools or hospitals.

Gappers will share accommodation in a volunteer house outside the city center. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow volunteers in safe and (relatively) comfortable living quarters. All prospective volunteers must pass a background check, and those interested in healthcare-related projects will need to provide relevant credentials.

Cost: $
Length: 1-24 weeks
What's included: Homestay accommodations, class materials, airport pickup and drop off, certificate of completion

✅ Pros:

• Includes extra activities like yoga, water rafting, zip lining, and ATV riding
• Classes are small and tailored

❌ Cons:

• Personal tutor may be needed for beginner level Spanish speakers
• Orientation tour of Heredia and surrounding areas not included

If you inspire to improve your Spanish speaking skills during your gap year abroad, Tico Lingo offers an Intensive Spanish Immersion Program in Costa Rica designed to improve your linguistic fluency through immersing you in the local community. Gappers will live with a local family through homestay accommodations and take conversational classes to provide an authentic and meaningful experience in Costa Rica.

Gappers can choose between either group or private class options, depending on their budget and goals. Outside of class, students will enjoy tours and activities, including volcano hiking, dance and cooking classes, and white water rafting. In addition, living with a family will provide a truly immersive experience as you learn Costa Rican customs and home life.

Cost: $$$$
Length: 4-24 weeks
What's included: Accommodation, group gear, group meals, transportation

✅ Pros:

• Spanish language learning included
• College credit available

❌ Cons:

• Activities can be physically challenging
• Harsh weather conditions may be present

The High Mountain Institute (HMI) Adventure, Conservation & Leadership in Wild Places program combines outdoor adventure with environmentalism and leadership experience. As a participant, you’ll get to explore beautiful natural destinations while learning about yourself and your surroundings. Destinations include the Canyonlands of Utah, the Colorado Rocky Mountains, and the deserts of Arizona.

HMI provides US citizens looking to avoid international travel during their gap year with an incredible experience filled with experiential learning. That said, their programs also extend past the US, as gappers can choose to travel through Chilean Patagonia if they participate in the Rock or Trek Semesters.

Cost: $$$
Length: 6 weeks
What's included: Accommodation, transport, breakfasts, museum fees

✅ Pros:

• Private viewings to some of Italy's most extraordinary sites
• Demonstrations and workshops for traditional crafts are included

❌ Cons:

• Accommodation is not always centrally located
• Program duration is relatively short

Travel throughout Italy while studying each city's history, art, architecture, politics, and culture with Art History Abroad on a 6-week gap year course. Enjoy local food, literature, and music while completing hands-on workshops and visiting historical sites throughout the country.

Gappers will gain an authentic experience and attain an in-depth understanding of Italy, Italian culture, and some of the great artistic masterpieces to come out of the region. Participants will be pushed to improve their creative approach and gain international experience that will stick with them far after the program has ended.

Cost: $$
Length: 4-12 weeks
What's included: Accommodation, regular check-ins, optional weekly excursions

✅ Pros:

• Pre-arrival and in-country staff support included
• Weekly social excursions to help you explore Cape Town

❌ Cons:

• Limited accommodation options
• Past gappers mentioned there was a long orientation process

VACorps offers internship placements in Cape Town, South Africa, in various career fields, including Finance, Clean Energy, Engineering, Media, Technology, Law, Public Health, and many more. Internships will provide gappers with relevant professional experiences and the opportunity to expand their professional network. The internship options also include a more generalized gap year specific program.

The gap year internship program is designed to give participants a preview into their desired career path or studies while immersing them in the South African culture through social engagement. Gappers will learn to expand their comfort zone, become more independent, and develop crucial time management skills while enjoying life in the beautiful city of Cape Town.

Cost: $$$
Length: 4-12 weeks
What's included: A three-week-long service-learning conservation project in diverse national parks and marine reserves; five multi-day outdoor expeditions including backpacking, canoeing, rock climbing, and surfing.

✅ Pros:

• You’ll work in stunning National Parks and wildlife reserves
• Offers plenty of fun outdoor activities such as camping, backpacking, canoeing, and biking

❌ Cons:

• Packed schedules may limit your amount of free time
• Included meals have limited dietary flexibility

New Zealand and Australia are two of the most ecologically intact and diverse countries in the world, and this experiential travel gap semester offers an amazing immersion during the temperate southern hemisphere spring and summer months.

It combines week-long conservation volunteer projects in diverse national parks and marine reserves; multi-day outdoor expeditions including backpacking, canoeing, rock climbing, and surfing; and educational adventure travel through New Zealand and Australia’s stunning mountain, forest, and beach environments!

Cost: $$$$
Length: 24 weeks
What's included: Guided exploration, language & culture learning, service & sustainability projects, business & internship opportunities

✅ Pros:

• Learn a language at a fully-accredited EF Campus
• Help a community in need through service learning

❌ Cons:

• On the expensive side, compared to typical gap year program prices
• Accommodation options are limited

EF Gap Year facilitates this ideal by immersing you in a new culture, connecting you with people from around the world, and giving you the opportunity to explore your own talents.

Your gap year begins with a two-week cultural immersion in Europe, followed by embarking on your own personalized gap experiences, including a language learning course, service learning, and internship modules. Later, regroup for an in-depth tour of Australia & New Zealand, EF Leadership Academy, and a gala at an English castle to wrap up the program.

Choosing a gap year is a very personal process. There are many factors to consider, such as timeframe, budget, and interests, and what works for one person might not work for another.

Most importantly, remember to seek out the advice of those who have already taken gap years, as this first-hand knowledge will provide so much insight into what your year could hold. The reviews here at Go Overseas are a great place to start, and we encourage you to ask questions and get involved. You can also find expert advice, answers to frequently asked questions, and upcoming gap year planning events on the gap year counselors page.

A gap year is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about the world in an immersive and engaging way. Take advantage of this time, and have fun! No matter the program you choose or the destination you decide to immerse yourself in, a gap year is a life-changing experience that will push you to grow, expand your perspective, and build your global network.

Take the next step towards making your dream gap year a reality by reading these articles:

• Why and How to Defer College Acceptance for a Gap Year
• 10 Steps to Planning a Gap Year Before College
• How to Plan a Gap Year in 2023