Gap Year Experiential Learning Programs
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with Seamester Study Abroad at Sea
319 Gap Year Experiential Learning Programs
Semester at Sea
Unlike traditional study abroad or tourism experiences, Semester ...
See All 6 Programs
Raleigh International
Joining a Raleigh Costa Rica Expedition is a truly unique experie...
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Tidelines Institute
The Glacier Bay Semester offers an unparalleled opportunity for y...
CIEE High School Grads Abroad
In Paris, find the perfect balance of structure and independence,...
See All 26 ProgramsInternational Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 9...
See All 2 ProgramsImpact Gap Year
Explore the dream destinations of South Africa, France, and Thail...
See All 8 ProgramsInstitute for Global Studies
Brazil is a country teeming with youth and vivacity. IGS has plac...
See All 3 ProgramsGoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
From conducting wildlife and marine research and conservation to ...
See All 7 ProgramsEF Education First
Spend 12 incredible weeks exploring Tamarindo, Rome, and Tokyo, t...
See All 6 ProgramsMAXIMO NIVEL
In three of the world's most beautiful countries—Costa Rica, Guat...
See All 5 ProgramsSeamester Study Abroad at Sea
This voyage is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sail aboard S/...
See All 4 ProgramsGapforce
Combine adventure travel and volunteering in this awesome 8-week ...
See All 6 ProgramsVACorps
The VACorps Gap Year Program is a transformative experience that ...
Carpe Diem Education
Venture through Guatemala and Costa Rica, exploring lush tropical...
See All 6 ProgramsGo Abroad China Ltd.
Discover China Through Language & Culture. Founded in 2003, Go Ab...
Kaya Responsible Travel
Spend 7 to 10 weeks in a valley off the beaten path, surrounded b...
Pacific Discovery
Experience an unforgettable 10-week Gap Year Semester through New...
See All 20 ProgramsMente Argentina
Discover the ultimate gap year experience in Buenos Aires with Me...
See All 2 ProgramsEA Ski and Snowboard Training
Do you have a passion for travel, adventure, and skiing? Do you ...
See All 4 ProgramsINTERNeX Pacific
Work, live, and play in Canada's tourism playgrounds. We work wit...
See All 2 ProgramsQuest
This is not a pause. It is a complete reset. The Quest Men's Cor...
See All 4 ProgramsLoPair Culture Exchange
Are you hoping to experience life in China? Work with LoPair Au P...
Cultural Homestay International
Our host families volunteer to open their homes to you and welcom...
Pure Exploration
Based in Queenstown, this program combines skills acquisition wit...
See All 6 ProgramsWhere There Be Dragons
The Himalayas. Since time immemorial, these colossal peaks with t...
See All 9 ProgramsARCC Programs
This 70-day Southeast Asia Gap Program takes you beyond the tradi...
See All 6 ProgramsGapGuru
Immerse yourself in the heart of Peru’s Sacred Valley, surrounded...
See All 2 ProgramsAsia Hope Camp Organization
Live together with K-pop trainees waiting for their debut in this...
El Terreno
Join this hands-on, personalized internship and help low-income i...
See All 8 ProgramsUniversitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Sign up for this gap year program, which provides the opportunity...
Rustic Pathways
Costa Rica is where adventure, service, cultural immersion, and t...
See All 4 ProgramsInterExchange
Experience a summer exchange program, right here in America Ha...
VOYAGE KOREA
Fun living in Seoul! VOYAGE Korea offers the "Fun Living Seoul" ...
Centro MundoLengua
What makes a great gap year in Spain? Adventure, new culture, exp...
Contemplative Semester
It’s weird being a young adult in these times! With countless voi...
Intern Abroad HQ
If you're seeking international career experience while immersing...
See All 3 ProgramsRooted Life Adventures
Participate in this gap year program in Queenstown, New Zealand, ...
See All 2 ProgramsSoccer Camps International
The England Soccer Schools are world-renowned. These include Summ...
See All 4 ProgramsEuroace
Thinking about a gap year? Why not turn it into a life-changing e...
See All 2 ProgramsAsia Exchange
Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) is recogniz...
Avalon Farm
Explore. Learn. Lead. Join Avalon Farm’s Young Leaders in Pursui...
Love Volunteers
Whether you want to support vulnerable communities in developing ...
The TEFL Institute
Training? Sorted. Support? Always. Flexibility? 100%. Drop the c...
See All 2 ProgramsVolunteer World
Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find ...
See All 20 ProgramsCorazon Cuba
Are you interested in learning Spanish? Study at our school/hoste...
See All 3 ProgramsProjects Abroad
Spend ten weeks in South East Asia protecting nature and helping ...
International Medical Aid (IMA)
Global dental healthcare with International Medical Aid's (IMA) D...
Seeds of Change Research
During the Seeds of Change Tropical Rainforest Research Program, ...
Lingoinn Teacher Homestay
Stay in a 100% Mandarin-speaking environment and experience the e...
See All 6 ProgramsAcademic Programs International
Seville, the capital of Andalusia and Spain’s 4th largest city, i...
See All 13 ProgramsWanderlust Exchange
We are excited to introduce to you an exceptional opportunity for...
See All 2 ProgramsWarriors Academy
Are you looking for an adventure gap year in South Africa? Then l...
Outward Bound Costa Rica
Go on a life-changing journey abroad through the gap year and sem...
See All 4 ProgramsSpanish Gap Year
Join a program designed to foster teamwork and entrepreneurial sk...
See All 3 ProgramsAdventure Treks
Adventure Treks offers this gap semester program that lets you go...
Art History Abroad
Discover the wonders of India on an enriching 6-week journey thro...
See All 3 ProgramsInternational Field Studies
Join our 6-week program on Andros Island in the Bahamas and stay ...
The High Desert Center
The purpose of the Writing Retreat is to support budding writers ...
ICLP | National Taiwan University
Set on the beautiful campus of National Taiwan University in the ...
Wilderness Adventures
The Wilderness Adventures Institute (WALI) Gap Semester programs ...
Touch the World
If you find yourself at the crossroads of life post-high school, ...
Gap at Glen Brook
Gap at Glen Brook is a place-based semester program for 18-21 yea...
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M)
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid is a leading Spanish public univ...
Alzar School & Gap
Alzar Gap’s signature program, Patagonia Exchange, runs from Sept...
LEX Language Project
World Internship Project interns spend 1-3 months working with LE...
See All 2 ProgramsGive & Surf
Give and Surf’s three-month Gap Year Semester in Panama is design...
World Bnei Akiva
World Bnei Akiva offers a range of amazing post-high school gap y...
Legend Diving
Legend Diving Marine Environmental Internship is a thrilling, car...
Baret Scholars
Before and beyond college, Baret Scholars explores 7 regions of t...
Seascope France
The yachting industry is an excellent choice for anyone looking f...
See All 3 ProgramsCanvee Life School
Experience a one-of-a-kind 12-week Gap Year program designed to i...
BroadFutures
BroadFutures is revolutionizing the way young people with learnin...
Europe Gap Year
Dreaming of a gap year in Europe? The European Catalyst is the ad...
See All 2 ProgramsWorld Class Programs
World Class Programs offers high school students the opportunity ...
See All 4 ProgramsTel Aviv University
This college-preparatory program offers a once-in-a-lifetime oppo...
CET Academic Programs
Whether you’re focused on gaining fluency in Japanese, studying s...
TtMadrid
TtMadrid's Program I is the perfect choice for non-EU citizens wh...
Berridge Programs
Friends, food, and France—three ingredients for the perfect summe...
Franklin University Switzerland
What’s the purpose of your gap year? Do you want to go on an adve...
Korea GapYear 한국갭이어 KGY
The gap year culture is now widespread in Korea! Thanks to Korea ...
United Planet
Immerse yourself in the mighty archipelago of The Philippines. Th...
See All 12 ProgramsSweetEscapes
Sweet Escapes offers a year-long gap year experience in Africa, c...
Crawford & Corry
Crawford & Corry offers immersive professional placements in Viet...
Our Generation Voluntary Organisation
Spend your gap year with Our Generation Voluntary Organisation an...
See All 2 ProgramsHawaiʻi Gap
Immerse yourself in a master class in environmental science, envi...
Beyond Tourism
Working and traveling abroad can be an incredible and positive ex...
Freinet Education Center
Are you a U.S. citizen studying or recently graduated in a STEM f...
Ocean Tribe
Turn your love for the ocean into a professional career with Ocea...
See All 3 ProgramsChina Xinhua Aupair
Join our au pair programme in China and enjoy an unforgettable cu...
21C Venetian Workshop
The 21C Venetian Workshop celebrates the future—and your role in ...
Do you love children and enjoy playing with them? Would you like ...
FTIFA Cape Town
Spend a year in one of the most beautiful cities on earth, Cape T...
Yohoo International Culture Exchange
Embark on a cultural odyssey with our Au Pair to China Program. I...
Sail Racing Academy
Sail Racing Academy offers tailor-made gap year programs that cat...
Ceningan Divers
At Ceningan Divers, gain hands-on experience in marine conservati...
Volunteering Journeys
Our Volunteer programs in India are based in Kerala, Southern Ind...
See All 12 ProgramsTCM (EVOLVE Gap Experience)
Make memories that last a lifetime in this unique 10-week gap pro...
Sea Education Association
Our gap year programs are designed for recent high school graduat...
The Leap
Costa Rica may be small, but this sun-drenched Central American c...
See All 2 ProgramsSail Caribbean
Be part of a transformative program for college-age students look...
See All 2 ProgramsHEX
The 6-week online program is designed for university students an...
Universidad LCI Veritas
Universidad Veritas has partnered with the Supportive Immersion I...
Youth For Understanding (YFU)
A YFU exchange program is the learning adventure of a lifetime. Y...
See All 2 ProgramsNOLS The National Outdoor Leadership School
Find new challenges on rivers, rocks, and snow! Explore the outdo...
See All 4 ProgramsOutward Bound USA
If you aspire to work in the outdoors, our Outdoor Educator progr...
See All 2 ProgramsA Guide to Gap Year Hands-On Learning Programs
Popular Locations
You can find hands on learning gap year programs almost anywhere in the world, but when it comes to hands on learning, there are a few places that have gained a reputation for offering great gap year experiences and programs in experiential learning.
Thailand. Thailand has grown as a destination for experiential learning gap year programs over the last decade. It’s thriving tourist industry and beautiful beaches may provide initial appeal, but the benefits of doing a hands on volunteer or hands on learning program in Thailand go far beyond the scenery. With programs in medicine, teaching, religion, veterinary medicine, biology, marine conservation, and international development, Thailand is an amazing place to build your skills, make a difference, and up your tolerance for spicy food.
Costa Rica. Costa Rica is an easy stepping-stone to travel for Americans because it is close to the United States, affordable, and has a well-developed tourism industry, but it is also home to a huge variety of ecosystems in a small location. You can go from volcanoes to rainforests to beaches in just minutes! While many programs require some Spanish language experience, many serve English-only participants or provide a language-learning component or language immersion. You will find hands on volunteer options and hands on learning in a more course-like structure as well. Tou-can do it all on your gap year in Costa Rica!
South Africa. South Africa is popular for experiential learning gap year programs because it allows participants to travel to Africa while still being in an English-speaking country with a well-developed infrastructure for travelers. From extreme sports and endemic wildlife species (lions! giraffes! elephants!) to world-class universities and research facilities, South Africa has great opportunities for hands on learning gap year programs in medicine, conservation, biology, astronomy, and international development.
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September 5, 2025