Gap Programs You Don’t Want to Miss

Updated July 2024

Gap year and semester programs are more popular than ever, with many prospective freshmen wondering if it's better to take a year off before they head off to college. Whether it's abroad or at home, we want to share a wide variety of gap programs that you don't want to miss!

From expeditions across breathtaking mountains to develop your skills in leadership, there are unique opportunities for a wide range of interests and passions.

Please keep checking back as we will continue to add more — and visit our Gap Year Programs 2024 guide, too.

African Impact

Session Dates: Multiple starting dates

Travel from anywhere between two and five weeks, two months, or a quarter to Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, or Mozambique through African Impact's life-changing volunteer and internship programs. Experience the natural wonders and cultural heritage of Africa's local communities.

EF Gap - Costa Rica Immersion

Session Dates: Multiple starting dates

Thinking about doing something different next semester? Taking time off from school doesn’t have to mean staying at home or being unproductive. Make the most of your gap with our 8-week service and language immersion in Costa Rica. Sharpen your Spanish, make a hands-on contribution to a community and ecosystem in need, and earn college credit while you’re at it (IRL).

Tilting Futures (formerly Global Citizen Year Academy)

Session Dates: Starts in February

Tilting Futures is an intensive leadership experience equipping determined young people worldwide with powerful skills for a lifetime of social impact. Immerse yourself in South Africa for a semester alongside passionate human rights advocates, learning real-world skills and collaborating with a global network of peers.

Gain invaluable experience contributing to social justice initiatives while developing the tools and vision to fuel your own positive impact in the future. Apply your talents alongside like-minded change makers on a transformative journey through Global Citizen Year. You'll join talks with today’s most impactful change makers, and receive personalized coaching from a diverse pool of mentors.

High Mountain institute Gap Semesters

Session Dates: February - May

Spend a semester exploring the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Greater Canyonlands of Utah, and vast deserts of Arizona. You'll go into great depth to advance your backcountry wilderness skills while studying pressing environmental issues and participating in real-world conservation service work. Highlights include:

• Learning and practicing backpacking, rock-climbing, and backcountry skiing skills.
• Investigating pressing conservation issues in the US public land management system while working with service partners to protect and restore these wild places.
• Planning and executing a student-led expedition in the labyrinthine canyons of Utah.

Raleigh Expedition

Session Dates: Multiple starting dates

Be at the heart of change, working with local people and likeminded young volunteers from all over the world to find solutions to tackling some of the world’s most pressing problems together. Enroll into our 6-week Raleigh Expedition spring program and join our community of over 55,000 change makers.

In your projects you will conserve and protect the environment; create lasting impact with communities; challenge yourself on trek and equip yourself with the skills and confidence to become a youth leader. Have a real volunteer experience you will never forget. Real people, real projects, real change.

The School of The New York Times

Session Dates: Multiple starting dates in February or March

This spring, study online with New York Times journalists and other industry experts who will deepen your understanding of the world, widen your horizons and help you plan for the future. Each week, students use sections of the newspaper to dive deeply into an important social, cultural or global topic led by an instructor who is an expert in their field.

Service learning and reflection projects help students identify ways to give back to the community and contemplate how their understanding of the world is changing, while mentorship, professional development sessions and life skills workshops give students greater clarity about their personal goals and career aspirations.