Since 1965, EF Education First has sent millions of people around the world to have life-changing experiences. EF Gap Year is the culmination of 50 years of expertise in educational travel. We believe the people who will succeed in the world of tomorrow are confident, constantly learning, and able to thrive in the face of ambiguity and change. With a suite of programs that combine language learning, service work, and internship experience, students have the opportunity to get out of their comfort zones, discover more about themselves, and return home with the skills and confidence to handle whatever comes next.

Founded in 1947, CIEE offers gap year abroad programs in more than 15 global destinations. Programs can last from a single semester to a full academic year and focus on either language learning, service, or an internship. $100,000 in scholarships are available each year.

Irish Gap Year provides semester length, community based, gap year programs in the Northwest of Ireland, internship programs in both Dublin and the Northwest and expeditionary programs across Europe. Students focus on personal development using core values of community, outdoor adventure, service and immersion in Irish culture.

Overland service and adventure programs departing every semester with shorter summer options. These programs include a mix of different project and adventure phases to keep students challenged and motivated travelling around a country as part of a Leap team of volunteers who join together from all over the world. The Leap hires local leaders to avoid the tourist trail while contributing to communities who are trying to improve the quality of their lives. As well, The Leap also offers career-focused internships in medical, law or business. All volunteers/families are appointed their own Leap gap advisor who will make sure they are fully briefed and prepared pre-departure and the families are kept up to date with their progress while they are away. Programs are available across Africa, Asia and South America.

Focusing on experiential education, community, and intercultural exchange, students can choose either a three-month or year-long gap year adventure with Carpe Diem Education. From South America, Southeast Asia, Central America, the South Pacific, Italy & Greece, India & Nepal, and more, students travel in small groups with experienced Overseas Educators. They learn by doing, gain independence and confidence, and become global citizens through meaningful, immersive engagement. Ready for more? Latitudes Year students extend their learning journey with a custom volunteer placement around the world during their second semester. College credit and financial aid available!

Since 1973, Wilderness Adventures has provided young adults with the opportunity to explore the most pristine wilderness settings on the planet. The Wilderness Adventures Leadership Institute' Gap Semester Programs challenge students by enabling them to improve their outdoor skills, expand their leadership capabilities, and gain life-long professional certifications. Wilderness Adventures is about discovering a part of ourselves, building character, and bringing new perspectives.

Founded in 1993, Dragons runs immersive & responsible travel programs in Asia, Latin America, Africa, and North America for students aged 13-22, with a vision to foster a more compassionate, just, and inclusive world. Dragons offers 2,4 & 6-week summer abroad programs and 3-month gap year semesters that give students the opportunity to travel with intention & create meaningful connections with people, places and cultures outside of their own. Dragons small group adventures are mentored by expert instructors and offer a wide variety of hands-on components such as homestay, language, and rugged travel.

Dynamy is a domestic gap program for students ages 17-22 who are interested in exploring and discovering their future career paths. Students will work with an advisor to select from 100 different internship opportunities throughout Worcester, MA. In conjunction with their internship, students benefit from city apartment living, life skills workshops, personal and college advising and optional college seminars through Clark University.

An experiential, place-based semester located in New Hampshire and focused on teaching skills to craft a hand-made life. Gap at Glen Brook takes place in local forests, fields, and farms, all in view of Mt. Monadnock a fine classroom for learning the breadth and depth of your consequence, and for apprenticing in the art of responsibility. Students engage their bodies, hands, and minds while stewarding cultivated and wild land, building naturalist and expedition skills, and practicing the alchemy of cooking. Radical and courageous personal development underscores the core questions of a gap year: What is worth striving for? What is necessary for an authentic life? What does it mean to be an adult? Programs in the spring and fall.

Students gain lifelong skills during an immersive semester in South Africa, where they’ll learn from experienced human rights advocates working to advance social justice. Together with a diverse cohort of like-minded peers from around the world, students will collaborate and contribute to local solutions for global challenges. Students will learn to question their assumptions – about themselves and the world around them – that will help fuel a purpose-driven future.

The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) is the leader in wilderness education. Whether through field-based courses or classroom-based courses, NOLS offers a focus on leadership and outdoors skills in some of the most awe-inspiring locations in the world. Emerge an active leader with lifelong skills.

Pacific Discovery offers semester and Gap Year programs abroad since 2001. Programs are overland journeys combining authentic immersion, meaningful service, and wilderness adventure - fostering empathy for other cultures, ethical and sustainable travel practices, and awareness of international issues. Students leave with a deepened sense of their identity, passion, and purpose. Programs are a 10 week journey with an optional 3-week independent extension to apply newly developed travel skills. Programs in New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, South America, Central America, Cuba, Galapagos Islands, India, Nepal, Tibet, China. Fall, Spring, and Summer departures can be taken consecutively for an in-depth and transformative Gap Year experience. Scholarships and academic credit options available.

Warriors Academy offers 4 quests of 7 weeks each, starting in February and ending in October. With a focus on experiential education and personal development short-courses, throughout South Africa, Mozambique, and Swaziland. Each Quest is a stand-alone program and participants can choose the combination that suits their individual agenda. Quests are a blend of flagship activities, and a wide range of supportive tasks, ensuring a dynamic and adventurous experience delivered by highly qualified facilitators.

Traveling through Patagonia and the American West, students embark on a journey that emphasizes developing outdoor skills, leadership, and environmental awareness. With options to choose a rock climbing or wilderness travel focus, students explore these rugged landscapes, investigate critical environmental issues, and gain experience as environmental stewards. Through living and traveling with a small group of peers and instructors, students focus on practicing leadership and the ability to work effectively in a team.

ARCC Gap semester programs that focus on living locally, working, learning and exploring in some of the greatest classrooms on earth. Designed with an academic fabric that complements each and every location, ARCC Gap programs highlight regional issues that are directly linked to global challenges.

Established in 1998, Sea|mester offers unique educational voyages where gap year and university students spend an entire semester at sea, sailing between countries and continents. Coupling accredited academics with real-world application, Sea|mester's goal is to provide an immersive learning experience, engaging students in ways that are impossible to replicate in the traditional classroom. Voyages include up to 12 college credits in Marine, Ocean, and Nautical Sciences from the University of South Florida in addition to multiple sailing and scuba diving certifications through International Yacht Training and the Professional Association of Diving Instructors.

AMIGOS Gap Programs for high school graduates are built on the pillars of service, leadership, and cultural humility in Costa Rica and Ecuador. Students will experience life in Costa Rica, get real-world experience learning about environmental conservation and community adaptation to climate change, practice speaking Spanish with local slang, and build a community of friends and family across cultures. Or, gap students can also explore the highlands around Cuenca, Ecuador, and dive deep into food security and justice in rural indigenous farming communities. Students will learn from local leaders, food producers, and youth making an impact on food systems in the region.

BroadFutures is a workforce development program dedicated to working with young people who have learning disabilities (LD) and/or attentional issues. Operating out of the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area, the mission is to enhance the inherent potential of young adults with LD in the workforce through partnerships that foster independence, self-advocacy and successful employment. Students combine training with mentoring and paid internships focusing on professionalism, communication, and stress tolerance. Students are exposed to the arts, yoga, and mindfulness to deliver and reinforce the curriculum. Peer mentors and coaches are engaged to support interns in goal setting and strategy development and to serve as liaisons between interns, employers, and BroadFutures.

Omprakash Education through Global Engagement (EdGE): Gap Year opportunities to volunteer with 180+ vetted grassroots social impact organizations in 40+ countries around the globe. Omprakash does not sell volunteer or internship placements instead, volunteers will be able to connect directly with host organizations and will not pay a fee to volunteer. Omprakash Partners offer individual programs with customizable departure dates, and lengths of stay ranging from 3-12 months. Omprakash EdGE (Education for Global Engagement) is a purposeful online training and mentorship program designed to increase students' learning, engagement, and overall impact before, during and after their time abroad. Grants and scholarships are available to offset the cost of EdGE tuition and subsidize the costs of travel and living abroad.

Featuring 3 month and shorter Gap Year courses. For over 50 years Outward Bound has been a premier provider of experiential and outdoor education programs for youth and adults. Outward Bound offers courses in some of the most spectacular and inspiring settings in the United States and in Central and South America, successfully preparing students to confront the challenges they face today with self-confidence, tenacity and compassion.

Alzar School + Gap brings students to Patagonia, Chile and the American West to focus on leadership training, cultural exchange and outdoor adventure. Alzar has permanent campuses in both the mountains of Idaho and the heart of Patagonia. All gap programs include a focused exploration of whitewater rafting and kayaking, and some include backpacking and skiing activities.