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Gap Year Programs

A gap year is a year off between high school and college when students can travel, work, learn a new language or pursue independent study. There are several programs available to students wanting to pursue a gap year.  The programs listed on this webpage are only a few of the amazing opportunities available.  For a more extensive list of Gap Year Programs visit: http://usagapyearfairs.org/programs/  


Dynamy Internship Year: 

Dynamy Internship Year has changed the lives of students since 1969 for a reason: it is built with powerful and sound educational beliefs that provide it with a strong foundation. Staff and students alike are attracted to its unique experiential elements, thoughtful curriculum, and supportive culture.


EF Gap Year

An EF Gap Year will transform you into a true global citizen. You will travel the world, learn a new language, serve a good cause, gain internship experience in your future career, and develop your leadership abilities. You’ll build an impressive portfolio of global skills while you’re away. And you’ll return home more self-confident, self-reliant and mature—ready for success in college and your future career.


EF International Language Centers:

Invest in your dreams on the ultimate study abroad experience. Achieve fluency, see the world, expand your international network – and launch your global future. Study for 6, 9 or 11 months and start in April, June, September or January. College credit and internship opportunities ensure you’re always adding to your resume during the adventure of a lifetime. You’ll become a citizen of the world by studying alongside students from 100 countries. Study French, Spanish, German, Italian, Mandarin, or Japanese abroad and live the language with EF. Short term courses are also available year round.

 


Expedition Education Institute: 

Do you want to be an Ecological Leader, to become deeply rooted in the natural world and in your own power to make change and create a better, more resilient world? Organized as the equivalent to a semester abroad, Expedition Education Institute offers a unique opportunity for gap year participants to be personally transformed and academically challenged and supported to become better and more self-directed life-long learners. An expedition semester combines the best of liberal arts education, leadership training, transformative experiential learning and cultural immersion.


Global Citizen Year: 

Global Citizen Year is a non-profit social enterprise forging a new educational pathway for America’s emerging leaders. We offer an experience filled with discovery, perspective, adventure, friendship, and independence. In one year, you join a family, work in your local community, master a new language, receive training from thought leaders, form a lifelong network, and make an authentic impact on a community worlds away from your own. Our immersive year long program includes pre-departure training, in country mentors, and support when you return to prepare for the next phase of your life. Global Citizen Year balances support and independence, allowing you to make the most of your year abroad.

 


Global Leadership Adventures 

International volunteer programs for teens.  Life-changing summer travel experiences for high school students in Africa, Asia, Europe & Latin America. 

SERVE a Community - Global Leadership Adventures operates summer volunteer programs for high school students, exclusively in authentic, non-tourist communities. Through community service, you'll develop meaningful relationships with local people and make a significant impact.

LEARN to Lead - GLA believes leaders are made, not born. The GLA experience gives high school students the opportunity to step up in a global context and face real challenges in partnership with the communities they are serving.

EXPLORE New Paths - No summer is complete without adventure. Each country has its own treasures. Imagine exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, zip lining through the pristine rainforests of Costa Rica, or taking a safari in Tanzania.


 

Interlochen Arts Academy: 

The Post Graduate Program at Interlochen Arts Academy is a one-year, fully immersive artistic experience for recent high school graduates seeking a college-level arts program on a vibrant campus of creative artists. Interlochen has long been recognized as one of the world’s finest pre-professional schools for young artists and musicians. This one-year program gives students access to the extensive artistic expertise and resources that are only available at Interlochen. The program features a flexible curriculum and schedule that allows students to receive world-class instruction in a nurturing residential environment where they can fully dedicate themselves to achieving their artistic goals. For Music, specifically the Conservatory Gap Year Program represents an ideal opportunity for musicians to prepare for conservatory auditions and placement. The program also embraces students looking for artistic enrichment and pre-professional training, whether intending to pursue a music performance degree or non-performance degree. Interlochen’s intense artistic educational experience produces highly sought-after students who are disciplined, creative, collaborative, and polished performers.

 


LEAPNOW: Transforming Education: 

LEAPNOW runs LEAPYEAR, the only gap year program that is a full academic year in length, focuses equally on international travel and your inner journey and features a fully integrated and accredited year of college and rites of passage. With LEAPYEAR you can take a year “on” without having to take a year “off.” LEAPYEAR includes 3 months of guided group travel and adventure in Asia or Latin America (your choice); a 3-month individual internship chosen from a database of over 6,300 opportunities in 126 countries; and 4 residential retreats at our California campus devoted to making a graceful and inspired transition into adulthood. The program is accredited through Naropa University, with FAFSA access to Federal financial aid and generous private scholarships. LEAPYEAR is an antidote to too many years spent in stale classrooms, and will help you “get a life” before you get the rest of your education.


Outward Bound:

Over one million students in the U.S. have benefited from Outward Bound’s unparalleled approach to “learning by doing.” Outward Bound in the U.S. traces its roots to 1962 when courses were developed to prepare young people entering the Peace Corps and careers in foreign service. Today, Outward Bound offers courses in some of the most spectacular and inspiring settings in the United States, the Caribbean and Central and South America, successfully preparing students to confront the challenges they face today with self-confidence, tenacity and compassion. From 30 days to 85 days, from mountaineering to dog sledding to swimming with dolphins to service projects in remote villages, student emerge from Outward Bound with new insights about themselves, about teamwork and compassion and about how to make a difference in the world. 


 Projects Abroad 

The High School Specials are volunteer programs geared towards individuals between 16 and 19 years old. There are a few benefits to the structure of the High School Specials that are particularly useful to younger volunteers:

Variety of 2 and 4 Week programs during Summer Vacation.
Specific start dates to guarantee a group atmosphere.
Extra staff support and structure.
More cultural events and escorted weekend trips.

Most of the volunteer programs for high school students offer multiple sessions from June through August. Both volunteer and internships placements are available as High School Specials.

 


SAI - High School & Gap Programs

SAI offers programs for high school and gap students to complete college-level coursework in Florence or Rome. High school programs are available in the summer, and provide a fully supervised unforgettable experience. Gap programs are available in the semester and academic year, and provide a gentle introduction to college-level life and courses. High school and gap programs provide strong on-site services to ensure that the proper support is in place for students to thrive.


The Leap:

Unlike other gap year companies, all our programs include a mix of different projects in a mix of locations - with a team of like-minded people. With that much variety built in, there's simply no chance you'll get bored.

 


Thinking Beyond Borders:

Thinking Beyond Borders is a community where young people find their voices and learn to transform our world. Our gap year programs are about more than just travel and service. They combine deep cultural immersion, fieldwork with experts, and engaging readings and discussions to create an incredible learning environment. There are no grades, no tests, and no essays. Our Program Leaders are there to support and challenge you in seeking a path to a more just world.  

 


Verto Education:

Verto offers the only international gap year experience that partners with colleges to give full class credit so students graduate in four years.

Our mission is to provide an affordable and innovative way for students to incorporate travel into their four year college experience. Spending a few months abroad before diving into the typical college grind allows students to show up on campus rejuvenated with a better understanding of themselves and what they want to do with their lives. 


 

Where There Be Dragons: 

In the days before the world had been fully charted, mapmakers would draw dragons to represent lands that were still unknown. Bold explorers who ventured beyond the map’s edge were said to go “where there be dragons.” There are still people who live for this type of adventure; who live in search of the meaning and mysticism that accompany adventures into the unknown. If you are one of them, come join us. We run programs for people like you. Founded in 1993, Where There Be Dragons is recognized as the leader in cross-cultural education. We specialize in guiding summer and semester programs for high school and college students in 17 countries in the developing world. Each Dragons course is carefully crafted to cultivate global citizenship, leadership, and self-awareness within our students. Every year, Dragons students return home better prepared to be leaders in thought, leaders in action, and most of all, leaders at heart.


Youth International: 

Since 1997, Youth International has been providing many people with the most exciting, fulfilling and educational experience of their life. Youth International is an experiential learning program that combines rugged international travel, inter-cultural exchange, home stays, volunteer community service work, and outdoor adventure. Teams of up to 14 people between the ages of 18 and 25 travel together with two group leaders. For a full 3-months, they explore three countries in one region of the world. Youth International currently offers two programs: Asia (Nepal, India, and Thailand) and South America (Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands). Programs begin in September and February.