Volunteering Gap Year Programs
586 Volunteering Gap Year Programs
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GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with awa...
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Raleigh International
Joining a Raleigh Costa Rica Expedition is a truly unique experie...
See All 3 ProgramsImpact Gap Year
Explore the dream destinations of South Africa, France, and Thail...
See All 7 ProgramsMAXIMO NIVEL
In three of the world's most beautiful countries—Costa Rica, Guat...
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Kaya Responsible Travel
Unsure about your academic or professional future? Take a breathe...
See All 2 ProgramsThe Intern Group
Jumpstart your career with Australia’s top internships! Partnerin...
See All 2 ProgramsInternational Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 9...
See All 176 ProgramsEF Education First
Step beyond the classroom and into the world with EF Language Abr...
Semester at Sea
Sail on the floating university of Semester at Sea and make the w...
Gapforce
Combine adventure travel and volunteering in this awesome 8-week ...
See All 7 ProgramsVACorps
The VACorps Gap Year Program is a transformative experience that ...
African Horse Safaris
Experience the excitement of life in the African Bush at Moolmans...
See All 3 ProgramsCarpe Diem Education
Venture through Guatemala and Costa Rica, exploring lush tropical...
See All 6 ProgramsGo Abroad China Ltd.
Are you looking for meaningful activities to fill the all-too-imp...
See All 2 ProgramsPacific Discovery
Experience an unforgettable 10-week Gap Year Semester through New...
See All 22 ProgramsThe Real Uganda
Ever thought of traveling to Uganda? It’s a peaceful, vibrant cou...
African Conservation Experience
Are you looking for an epic adventure that will change your life ...
Mente Argentina
Discover the ultimate gap year experience in Buenos Aires with Me...
INTERNeX Pacific
Experience rural life by living and working with a New Zealand fa...
Intercultural Outreach Initiative (IOI)
Volunteer at the Galápagos National Park and get the chance to as...
See All 4 ProgramsCultural Homestay International
Our host families volunteer to open their homes to you and welcom...
ARCC 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 3 ProgramsRustic Pathways
Costa Rica is where adventure, service, cultural immersion, and t...
See All 4 ProgramsProjects Abroad
At Projects Abroad, we’re passionate about travel with a purpose....
See All 7 ProgramsVolunteer International Adventures
Teach at local community schools in Knysna, South Africa, in this...
See All 5 ProgramsCentro MundoLengua
What makes a great gap year in Spain? Adventure, new culture, exp...
Intern Abroad HQ
If you're seeking international career experience while immersing...
See All 2 ProgramsRooted Life Adventures
Participate in this gap year program in Queenstown, New Zealand, ...
See All 2 ProgramsEuroace
Are you looking for a chance to volunteer abroad while gaining va...
Where There Be Dragons
Investigate the impact of climate change at the source, traveling...
See All 5 ProgramsAvalon Farm
Explore. Learn. Lead. Join Avalon Farm’s Young Leaders in Pursui...
Love Volunteers
Whether you want to support vulnerable communities in developing ...
AFS-USA
Denmark is a small country (approximately 5.4 million people) tha...
Volunteer World
Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find ...
See All 55 ProgramsCorazon Cuba
Understand what’s happening in Cuba while enjoying a broad range ...
Intercultura Costa Rica
Learn the language. Live the culture. Be the change. Join our sum...
See All 2 ProgramsAcademic Programs International
It is said that Ireland, once visited, is never forgotten. The Ir...
See All 3 ProgramsGlobal Work & Travel
Make a difference to the wild animals of Africa on our Monkey Reh...
See All 3 ProgramsVolunteer for the Visayans
Children in the Philippines begin learning English in grade one, ...
Wanderlust Exchange
Wanderlust Au Pair China Program integrates educational travel, M...
Warriors 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 ProgramsInternational Field Studies
Join our 6-week program on Andros Island in the Bahamas and stay ...
Oyster Worldwide
Each year, more than 130,000 seals, whales and dolphins are kille...
See All 3 ProgramsUniversidad 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...
Give & 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...
Spanish Gap Year
We’re thrilled to introduce our new 12-week Hybrid Spain by Train...
China Xinhua Aupair
Explore China through travel, Mandarin learning, childcare, and E...
World Class Programs
World Class Programs offers high school students the opportunity ...
See All 4 ProgramsFranklin 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 16 ProgramsCrawford & 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 ProgramsBeyond Tourism
Working and traveling abroad can be an incredible and positive ex...
Mercy Volunteer Corps
Join Mercy Volunteers in Guyana, where you help promote social ch...
ELEP Volunteer & Internship Programs
If you are thinking about taking a gap year and volunteering abro...
Africa & Asia Venture
Make a lasting difference using your talents, skills, and passion...
Living Music Foundation
Take a break from school, fire up your musical passion, and teach...
See All 2 ProgramsDo 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...
Animal Experience International
Be a helping hand for the wildlife conservation in Western Austra...
See All 2 ProgramsVolunteering Journeys
Our Volunteer programs in India are based in Kerala, Southern Ind...
See All 15 ProgramsNatucate
Travel to magnificent Portugal, make an active contribution to en...
See All 2 ProgramsThe Leap
Costa Rica may be small, but this sun-drenched Central American c...
See All 3 ProgramsProBa Language Centre
There are plenty of benefits to taking a gap year between high sc...
Youth For Understanding (YFU)
YFU cultural exchange volunteer programs provide the ultimate rea...
See All 3 ProgramsNOLS The National Outdoor Leadership School
Participate in a leadership learning program, which is a combinat...
A Guide to Gap Year Volunteering
Prepare for a Gap Year
Understand the benefits
Volunteering during a gap year opens doors you might not even know were there. Here’s what you get out of it:
- Personal growth. Discover new sides of yourself, build resilience, and boost your confidence as you adapt to living and working in a new community.
- Global awareness. Immerse yourself in a different culture by working alongside locals, understanding the unique challenges they face, and learning how global issues play out on a community level.
- Meaningful impact. Make a direct difference—whether you’re helping local students improve their English or supporting conservation efforts to protect endangered species. Every project you join has a real impact that lasts beyond your time there.
Things to know
Here’s what to keep in mind before you take the plunge:
- Time commitment - Decide how much time you’re ready to commit. Short programs are intense and packed, while longer ones let you settle in and become part of the local scene.
- Costs - Be realistic about budgeting for flights, program fees, and daily expenses. Check out available scholarships to help make it more affordable, and make a plan for handling money abroad.
- Health and safety - Make sure you’re up-to-date on vaccinations and know where you’d go for healthcare. Have basic first-aid essentials and emergency contacts ready to go.
- Cultural sensitivity - Embrace new customs and learn from them! Pay attention to what’s valued locally, from dress to social customs, so you can integrate naturally and respectfully.
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September 5, 2025
September 5, 2025