2025 Best Gap Year Programs
November 20, 2024
So, you鈥檝e decided to take a gap year after high school. Now what? An internet search will reveal droves of possibilities, from international service learning to backcountry survival to language immersion. However, searching for gap year programs鈥揳ll of which promise meaningful experiences and feature websites brimming with Instagram-worthy photos鈥揷an sometimes feel like browsing Facebook Marketplace for furniture. How do you spot the gems in the sea of 鈥渨ell-loved鈥� (read: beat-up) particle board? Since the gap year program you choose could have an incredible impact on your life and career trajectory, read on for important considerations as well as a list of reputable options.
Want to access our full searchable database of the best 2025 gap year programs? Click below to sort summer programs by area of focus and location, and view important data points such as tuition costs, deadlines,聽 and more!
What are the qualities of the best gap year programs?
The best gap year programs should meet high standards for communication, safety, and leadership. Accordingly, the (GYA), a nonprofit recognized by the US Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission that works to develop gap year standards, recommends 鈥渟tarting with more structure and working into less,鈥� and encourages prospective gappers to choose programs that allow them to hone skills related to independence, cross-cultural communication, and risk management. Moreover, the GYA鈥搃n addition to facilitating gap year conferences and professional development鈥搊versees a stringent, multi-round accreditation process for organizations that offer a gap year after high school. Accreditation standards include those related to among others. Most importantly, accredited programs offer college credit and allow students to use 529 savings accounts to cover associated fees.
As such, all programs below either feature a or are listed in . Although Member Programs have not undergone the accreditation process, they have satisfied eligibility criteria related to length of time in business, insurance/registration, risk management, and organizational information availability.
For my gap year to be recognized by colleges, do I have to choose a GYA-accredited program?
No, but not all gap years are created equal, particularly in regard to safety and communication. For example, if you鈥檒l be in a remote location, does your gap year program have a contingency plan for medical emergencies? Does the program respect the local community in which it operates? What type of training is required of program leaders? In addition, if the program partners with outside organizations for volunteer and internship placements, do those programs operate with a similarly high level of safety and integrity?
The bottom line: spend ample time vetting your gap year after high school. Read reviews. Ask gap year programs for an alumni contact list. Attend a to explore and chat with program providers.
If a gap year program is not GYA-accredited, make sure that the one you choose has similar standards of operation. To that end, some highly respected, non-GYA-accredited gap year programs include , , (3-12 month options are available in certain fields), , and .
Best Gap Year Programs
After identifying eight popular gap year program categories, we rounded up a diverse array of possibilities. In each category, we鈥檝e profiled 2-3 providers who offer programs of various lengths. Since your gap year after high school can be a full year experience or combination of shorter experiences, you might choose to mix and match depending on your interests and goals
1. International Gap Year Programs
In operation since 1947, CIEE is the longest-running, non-profit study abroad organization and they operate their own study centers around the world. Four different offerings include: High School Summer Abroad – 3-8 Weeks; High School Semester Abroad – 3 Months – 2 Semesters; Gap Year Abroad 1-2 Semesters; First Year Abroad – 1-2 Semesters. Over 35 international locations available for current high school students, high school grads, and current college students.
- Length: 3 Weeks – Full Year
- Tuition: $3,650 (3-Week) – $14,000 (Semester)
- Locations: Spain, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, and many more (42 countries overall)
- GYA Status: Accredited
Where There Be Dragons
Where There Be Dragons provides an 鈥渦nfiltered鈥� and rugged experience to program participants, who will travel responsibly and experience day-to-day life in a particular community. Accordingly, examples include 鈥淥n the Front Lines of Climate Change鈥� in India to 鈥淪panish Language and Social Justice鈥� in Guatemala & Mexico. Students also benefit from a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio. Finally, Independent Immersion Programs are offered for a more solo yet supported experience.
- Length: 6+ weeks (independent programs) to 3 months
- Tuition: ranges from $6,950 (independent programs) to $18,950 (structured programs)
- Locations: Peru & Bolivia; Nepal; India; Bhutan; Morocco & Spain; China & Taiwan; Southeast Asia (Mekong River); Guatemala & Mexico; Senegal; Indonesia
- GYA Status: Accredited
Rooted Life Adventures
Supported Gap Year in Queenstown, New Zealand with mental health support for individuals 18-22 years of age. Groups of 5-10 students with a 1:3 staff-to-student ratio. Highlights of the trip include: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, Milford Sound Boat Cruise, Glow Worm Caves, White Water Rafting, Canyoning & Rappelling Waterfalls, Luging, 10 Breathtaking Day Hikes, Lord of the Rings Filming Sites, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, and more!
- Length: 10 Weeks
- Tuition: $25,000 (Tuition)
- Location: Queenstown, New Zealand
While living with other students from all over the world, you鈥檒l apprentice at a South African human rights institution for 4-5 days a week. Apprenticeships can be in areas from food security to girls empowerment to early childhood education. In addition, there are ample cultural immersion opportunities. Finally, before you go, you’ll receive ample preparation in the form of a four-week virtual course that covers the historical and social context in South Africa as well as community development principles.
- Length: 4 months
- Tuition: $21,000
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
- GYA Status: Accredited
A multitude of semester-long and year-long gap programs are offered in various locations throughout Central American and South America, which allow students to engage in volunteer work, adventure experiences, life skill building, and Spanish language learning. Participants can also choose from over 150 community-service projects and can earn up to 32 college credits during their experience.聽 Maximo Nivel also offers four-week and eight-week internships in the areas of healthcare, education, business, and hospitality & tourism.
- 尝别苍驳迟丑:听4 weeks to 1 year
- Tuition: ranges from ~$1,500 (internship program) to ~$9,000 (semester-length programs)
- 尝辞肠补迟颈辞苍:听Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru
Additional International Program Providers: , , , , .
Looking for a more independent international option? Check out
2. Outdoor/Wilderness Gap Year Programs
The Immersion at Wilderness Awareness School
The Immersion is a unique experience for adults seeking to find their place in the natural world. During this 9-month program, students experience their surroundings from the complementary approaches of scientific study and the practice of survival skills, nature connection, and self-discovery. The program is facilitated through eight core areas of study: Wilderness Survival and Bushcraft, Naturalist Studies, Wildlife Tracking, Land Stewardship, Personal Growth, Cultural Studies, Community Leadership, and Bird Language. There are options to earn college credit as part of the program.
- Length: 9 months
- Tuition: $14,950 (Tuition)
- Locations: Duvall, WA
National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)
In addition to gaining foundational leadership skills, students can explore the wilderness, participate in homestays, engage with the local culture, and take part in service learning experiences. The curriculum has been developed over several decades and emphasizes communication, confidence, wilderness skills, and risk management, among others.聽 For example, the course in Tanzania includes a service and cultural exchange expedition, mountaineering, and backpacking through conservation areas as well as remote villages. Academic credit is available.
- Length: ~3 to 5 months
- Tuition: ranges from ~$13,000-$40,000, depending on program location and length
- Locations: Alaska; Rocky Mountains; Wyoming; Pacific Northwest; Baja, California; India; Tanzania; New Zealand; Patagonia;
- GYA Status: Accredited
Tidelines Institute鈥檚 Glacier Bay Year
Programming includes seminar-style academic classes (credit is available) that cover topics like governance & democracy, the climate crisis, and Alaskan nature & culture. In addition, students 鈥渇orm a political body that partially governs their own program,鈥� live in tight-knit quarters, commit about 20 hours per week to community labor (which can range from building fences to gathering kelp), and explore the Alaskan wilderness, including Glacier Bay National Bark and the Inian Islands. Only 12 students are accepted.
- Length: 4听尘辞苍迟丑蝉
- Tuition: $28,100
- Location: Southeast Alaska
- GYA Status: Member
Living City Project鈥檚 CityGAP
Remote locales and solar showers not your jam? Based in NYC, this outdoor experiential program features topics like urban planning, crisis response, equity and diversity, identity and civic imagination, and arts & culture. After three weeks of orientation, students concurrently complete a ten-week group project and a ten-week independent project, which are both exhibited during the final week of the program. Past work has included everything from re-energizing community projects to investigating the community impact of architecture to exploring NYC street life.
- Length: 14 weeks
- Tuition: $11,500 (does not include room & board)
- Current Location: New York City
- GYA Status: Member
Additional Outdoor/Wilderness Experience Providers: , , , ,
3. Career-Focused Gap Year Programs
Through both on-site and remote internships, students can choose to gain skills and experience in 1 of 26 different industries, such as architecture, entrepreneurship, publishing, creative writing, graphic design, pharmaceutical and healthcare, engineering, fashion, and real estate, among others. No matter what city you’d like to travel to, you’re guaranteed an internship. Moreover, you’ll also have access to workshops, networking opportunities, a career speaker series, and organized social programming. Finally, you’ll live with other students in the program.
- Length: 4-24 weeks, depending on location
- Tuition: ranges from ~$1,500-5,500, depending on location and program length
- Locations: Virtual, Barcelona, Beijing, Hong Kong, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Paris, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Tokyo
- GYA Status: Member
An experiential education program that encourages career exploration and life skill building, Dynamy provides internship placements in one of ten areas. These include animal care; arts, design & craftsmanship; automotive; culinary; education & childcare; environmental science; health and wellness; human services, social justice, and civics; media & technology; and marketing & business management. All internships take place at working organizations in Central Massachusetts. Also, students live together and participate in workshops, mentoring, and adventure challenges.
- Length: 4 months (semester); 9 months (full year)
- Tuition: $13,750 (semester); $27,650 (full year), not including housing
- Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
- GYA Status: Accredited
4. Seafaring Gap Year Programs
Sea|mester
During their voyage, students will receive a high-quality academic experience while traveling the world and gaining competency in a laundry list of areas, from sailing to SCUBA to ecological awareness. In addition, there is plenty of shore time in myriad destinations, which includes cultural activities, service projects, and outdoor experiences. For example, the 鈥淎ntigua to Grenada鈥� voyage focuses on marine biology and includes over ten ports of call while 鈥淐aribbean to Mediterranean鈥� combines bluewater sailing with on-land adventures in Gibraltar, Spain, and Italy. Moreover, Sea|mester is the only academic sailing program that circumnavigates the globe.
- Length: 20-90 days
- Tuition: ranges from ~$7,000~30,000
- Locations: Caribbean, Mediterranean, South Pacific, Indian Ocean
- GYA Status: Accredited
Sea Education Association (SEA)
Both of SEA’s programs鈥攖ailored specifically for students on a gap year鈥攆ollow a shore-to-sea model. As such, students spend several weeks preparing for their voyage at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Falmouth, Massachusetts before setting sail. For example, “Climate and Society” students conduct original research in Aotearoa New Zealand that focuses on how climate change affects coastal communities. The program also involves a final onboard symposium presentation where students have the opportunity to share and discuss their research. Ultimately, they earn 18 credits from Boston University.
- Length: 3 months
- Tuition: $29,975
- Location: Woods Hole, Massachusetts (shore); New Zealand (sea)
- GYA Status: Member
In addition to earning their PADI Open and Advanced SCUBA certifications as well as Kayaking and Wilderness First Aid certifications, students cover topics like Bahamian culture, climate change, ecotourism, and blue hole water chemistry (Andros is home to the highest concentration of blue holes in the world!) through lectures and hands-on labs. Moreover, students can expect to participate in service learning that includes activities like invasive species control and mangrove restoration. Finally, life at the Forfar Field Station is fairly off the grid; students live in rustic cabins on the beach.
- Length: 6 weeks
- Tuition: $6,499
- Location: Andros, Bahamas
- GYA Status: Member
5. Academic/Vocational Gap Year Programs
Greene鈥檚 College Oxford
Via Oxford and Cambridge鈥檚 signature tutorial style of teaching, students explore three to four subjects of their choice. Moreover, they’ll meet weekly with an academic mentor who will help them make the most of the experience and also improve their study skills. Finally, students have many social and cultural opportunities within the surrounding city and at Oxford, including membership in The Oxford Union鈥攖he oldest and most famous student-led debate society, known for bringing international guests and speakers to campus on a regular basis.
- Length: anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months
- Tuition: tailored to each student depending on number of subjects
- Current Location: Oxford, UK
- GYA Status: Member
IYRS School of Technology and Trades
Three STEM-based, hands-on, nationally accredited certificate programs are offered: Composites Technology, Digital Modeling and Fabrication, and Marine Systems. Students will design and build projects that could range from surfboards, custom yachts, electrical panels, or drones. No matter the program, all students gain a litany of shop skills as well as professional skills, including time management, project planning, design thinking, and project management. Student-to-faculty ratios are kept very low so that all students receive hands-on attention and support. Finally, all students complete an externship.
- Length: 6-9 months
- Tuition: ranges from ~$25,000-30,000, depending on program
- Current Location: Newport, Rhode Island
- GYA Status: Member
School of the New York Times
An entryway into journalism, NYT鈥檚 gap year program gives students the opportunity to explore a social, cultural, or global topic each week. Weekly modules are based around a specific section of the paper, and typically include international news, introduction to investigative journalism, politics, the New York metro area, opinion, and culture. They鈥檒l also receive mentoring, attend professional development and life skills workshops, and complete group projects with local service-learning organizations. An is available as well.
- Length: 6-12 weeks
- Tuition: ~$10-20,000, depending on number of weeks (does not include housing)
- Current Location: New York City
- GYA Status: Member
6. Sustainability/Conservation Gap Year Programs
Whether you want to make a difference in the lives of bats, sea turtles, dogs, sharks, or elephants, you鈥檒l be able to do it through AEI. For example, students could work at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Western Australia that cares for over 2,400 sick, injured, and orphaned animals per year, with a sea turtle conservation organization in Costa Rica, or a horse rescue center in Spain. All programs follow the consent-based tourism model and adhere to the highest standards of animal welfare. This means that communities consent to host the program and animals are not forced to interact with volunteers.
- Length: 2-4 weeks, but can plan longer experiences
- Tuition: ranges from $1,000-2,000 per week, depending on program length
- Locations: Australia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Thailand, Mexico, Cuba, Mongolia, Spain, Nepal, Kenya, Croatia, South Africa
- GYA Status: Member
Gap at Glen Brook
For students who are interested in environmental sustainability, homesteading and farming, and community living, the Gap at Glen Brook has it all. Located on a working farm in rural New Hampshire, students engage in sustainable farming (including harvesting, building coops, and starting seeds), foster their connection with nature and knowledge of ecology, and learn homesteading skills like fiber arts, herbal medicine, blacksmithing, and carpentry. Moreover, they practice their wilderness expedition, outdoor leadership, and bushcraft skills in several backpacking adventures as well as a 24-hour forest solo.
- Length: 11 weeks
- Tuition: $13,800 (includes room and board)
- Current Location: Marlborough, NH
- GYA Status: Accredited
7. Creativity/Arts Gap Year Programs
Pizarts
Offering a complete dance immersion, Pizarts gives dancers the ability to increase their creativity and skill, create portfolios, and engage with the community through performances and volunteer teaching. Both domestic and international experiences are available; Pizarts’ NYC-based program includes audition prep and branding as well as dance cinematography, live performance, and college & company tours while shorter international experiences in El Salvador, India, or Panama focus on either teaching & volunteerism, dance & culture, or audition prep.
- Length: 3 months (NYC); international trips involve 4-6 weeks of virtual Saturday rehearsals followed by ~1-5 weeks in-country
- Tuition: ~$16,000 (NYC); $4,500 (NYC/Panama); $5,900 (NYC/India); $6,500 (NYC/El Salvador)
- Locations: NYC, Panama, India, El Salvador
- GYA Status: Member
Cow House Studios
Students spend a semester making new artwork and honing their creative practice via structured and open-ended studio time. Mediums include drawing & painting, digital & darkroom photography, video & animation, and sculpture & installation. Moreover, students participate in a wide range of workshops and classes, like oil painting techniques, darkroom photography techniques, and Adobe Photoshop skills. Individual and group critiques, readings, tutorials, and plenty of travel around Ireland鈥攊ncluding Dublin, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Aran Islands鈥攔ound out the experience.
- Length: 12 weeks
- Tuition: ~$18,000
- Location: Wexford, Ireland
- GYA Status: Member
Berridge Creative Semester
After choosing an artistic concentration (options include film, theater, studio art, music, or stage/screen design), students participate in classes that build their craft knowledge and practical skills. Moreover, regardless of their concentration, they can choose from myriad workshops such as Acting on Camera, Ceramics, Jewelry Making, Meditation, Painting, Shakespeare, and Songwriting Basics, among others. Furthermore, students live in an 18th-century chateau while being immersed in French culture via excursions to locations of historical significance, market trips, and hands-on classes like breadmaking and cheesemaking.
- Length: 3 months
- Tuition: $16,500
- Current Location: Normandy, France
- GYA Status: Member
8. Language Immersion Gap Year Programs
AMIGOS Gap Year
While living with a host family in Paraguay, you鈥檒l intern with a local nonprofit organization or school, working alongside local community members and earning approximately 200 hours of service. Moreover, you’ll be fully immersed in Spanish language and culture via mentorship, language classes, and activities with local peers. In addition, you鈥檒l receive leadership training and participate in group excursions to places like Iguazu Falls, Itaipi Dam, and national parks. To prepare, you’ll take an intensive two-week Spanish class, and can earn three college credits at the culmination of the program.
- Length: 14 or 34 weeks
- Tuition: $11,975 (14 weeks); $23,950 (34 weeks)
- Location: Asunci贸n, Paraguay
- GYA Status: Accredited
Chinese Gap Year in Taipei
No matter their level of ability, students will improve their Chinese rapidly via daily intensive, small-group classes as well as 1:1 sessions. They’ll need to work hard outside of class, too鈥攁pproximately 90 minutes of preparation is required for every 50-minute class block. Outside of class, they’ll participate in cultural immersion and travel around the city and country, including night markets and temples, hiking destinations, and beaches. One quarter is equivalent to a full year of university Chinese, and program enrollment is limited to 30 students so that all receive individualized support and guidance. 6-9+ months is recommended.
- Length: 3, 6, 9, or 12 months
- Tuition: ranges from ~$6,000-8,000 per quarter
- Current Location: Taipei City, Taiwan
- GYA Status: Accredited
Siena Italian Studies
In addition to participating in service learning and living with a host family, students will immerse themselves in Italian language and culture. They are required to take a 3-week Italian intensive followed by two semester-long courses: Italian Language and Intercultural Dialogue, Democracy, and Global Citizenship. Most students also take two to three additional courses per semester 鈥攁ll taught in Italian. These are available in a wide variety of topics, from Medieval Italian History to Italian Cinema. Finally, students participate in field trips, group excursions around the city and country, and solo travel.
- Length: 3 months
- Tuition: N/A
- Current Location: Siena, Italy
- GYA Status: Member
Final Thoughts 鈥� Gap Year After High School
Your gap year can take you literally anywhere in the world and provide you with skills and experiences that will last for a lifetime. Therefore, spend time choosing a gap year provider that adheres to high standards for programming, safety, and leadership鈥搚ou鈥檒l be glad you did.
Additional Resources:
