How to Find the Best Gap Year Travel Programs for High School and College Students

Last Updated: January 03, 2025

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Photo: Group of Students in Gap Year Trip

Have you ever thought that textbooks are not enough to prepare you for the real life? This is where many high school and college students find the gap year travel program as the best opportunity to prepare themselves for real life and further studies.

Numerous popular organizations offer different gap year travel programs for UK and US students yearly. A gap year association estimates that about 40,000 to 60,000 students participate in the gap year program each year. But with so many programs, how to find and pick the best one for you? We'll discover all of this in today's blog.

What are Gap Year Travel Programs?

A gap year travel program is a scheduled academic break between the semesters or after graduation of the students. These programs are typically designed to provide practical skills and allow the students to explore the world. It can last from anywhere between a few months to a year.

This program offers different activities like hiking, scuba diving, wildlife exploration, and participation in the environmental awareness program. Students are free to choose any of them based on their interests.

Why Gap Year Travel Programs?

Gap-year travel programs allow you to grow your skills and help you to gain real-world experience. This will help you in both your future career and to get into higher study.

Personal Growth

A travel program offers a lot of learning opportunities, not just from the books, but by actually doing things in new places. You'll learn by exploring different cultures and places, gaining new knowledge and skills that will help to shape your future. It is a journey of self-discovery, where you will uncover your strength.

Global Citizenship

You will experience different cultures and global issues directly in this program. This immersive journey will give you a deeper understanding of our interconnected world. It will inspire you to contribute positively to society and be a responsible global citizen.

Career Exploration

A gap can be a valuable time for career exploration. By participating in internships or other volunteer programs, you can test different career paths. This experience will help you to gain practical skills and providers with a clear understanding of the industry, allowing you to choose the right future path.

College Preparation

You can prepare for your college by taking a gap year before joining. Explore different skills and gain real-world experience that will help you figure out your career and goals with a clear understanding.

Types of Gap Year Programs

There are different types of Gap Year Programs, each with its own purpose. Some of the popular gap year programs include volunteer programs, internship programs, educational tours, skill development programs, and many more.

Volunteer Programs

Photo: A high school student from Sweden in gap year trip

Volunteer programs allow individuals to work on different valuable projects to improve the environment and communities. The main goal is to promote sustainable development and conservation awareness, whether through teaching, infrastructure construction, or conservation initiatives.

Internship Programs

Internships provide college student with real-world work experience in different fields that will be relevant and crucial for their career path. In this, the student used to work in different organizations, hospitals, research centers, or businesses with the goal of experiencing practical knowledge.

Education Tours

In this, college students need to visit different places to learn about their history, cultures, and landmarks. This trip combines travel with education and allows participants to explore beyond the textbook.

Language Learning Programs

Students participate in learning foreign languages by traveling to different places and interviewing with their native speakers. The goal is to strengthen language proficiency and gain a deeper understanding of the local customs and traditions.

Skill Development Programs

This comes under one of the best high school travel programs. This program allows the student to learn new skills that will be helpful in their upcoming life. This skill can be anything like the diploma course, programming skill, cooking, or any other volunteer skill.

Tips to Find Best Gap Year Travel Programs.

There are different programs and providers offering different gap year travel programs for high school and college students. You can find that all by doing a simple Google search. However, choosing the right programs is crucial. Consider the below tips to pick the best program for you.

1. Consider Your Goals. Think about what you want from the program. Either you want to explore any new place, learn a new language, or want to participate in any volunteer programs.

2. Pick your ideal destination. Search for the programs that offer to travel to your desired destination.

3. Consider Your Budget. Find the organization that offers the programs for your desired destination within your budget.

4. Ensure Safety and Security. Check the safety and security policies of your travel program providers. You can also check their past history.

5. Research different programs. There are many providers offering different programs. Research the different programs and choose one that perfectly aligns with your interests.

6. Check Reviews. Read a review of your program providers from the past participants. This will give you a narrow idea about the pros and cons of the providers.

7. Check for Educational Value. Consider choosing a program that has educational value and will help you further your future education, like in college.

List of Best Gap Year Travel Programs

There are many gap year travel programs offering their services for students of different regions. You need to understand the best program for your location and the best budget program with its pros and cons.

Below is a list of some of the best college student travel programs in the USA, UK, and Canada.

Gap year travel programs for high school students of USA

The gap year programs provide valuable experiences to high school students. It helps you to explore new skills and your careers. Below are a few of the best gap year travel programs for high school students of USA.

Where There Be Dragons

Where There Be Dragons is an America-based company that offers different travel programs for US students (ages 15-22). They are known for providing cultural and real-life experiences to the students. This program is generally 2,4 or 6 weeks long. The cost for this program starts from $5,000. It includes popular destinations like Peru, Africa, Senegal, Thailand, China and Nepal.

Pros	Cons
Offer a program to explore different cultures. Each team has a small group of members with the instructor. They focus on student safety, providing 24/7 support.	Cost can be expensive compared to others. There is a limited age to serve students from 15 to 22 years.

High Mountain Institute

High Mountain Institute (HMI) is a Leadville-based non-profit educational organization founded in 1995. They are especially known for their HMI gap semesters program, which offers travel to US high school graduates between the ages of 17 and 22. Along with the student travel program, they offer more like the HMI semester and HMI summer term.

Pros	Cons
Have 29 years of experience. Allows students to develop outdoor skills (climbing and backpacking). Focus on student growth and leadership skills.	Need a good level of fitness. Have limited travel options.

EF Gap Year

EF Gap Year Program is an international travel program that allows students to explore the world and learn about new cultures. They offer their program in up to 50 countries. Their program lasts for 1 year and also has a few week's break programs in the middle. The average cost you can expect is around $43,750.

Pros	Cons
Scholarships available for motivated students Organized programs for a smooth experience Focus on personal growth through travel and culture	Slightly costlier for the student Less flexibility for individual exploration.

Gap year travel programs for Canadian college students

Photo: A Canadian student in gap year trip

AFS Intercultural Programs

American Field Service (AFS) is a non-profit program that offers a life-changing experience to high school students in Canada. In this way, students can learn about the new culture and traditions by living with the host family. AFS programs are offered in more than 50 countries with the goal of developing life skills in students.

Pros	Cons
Provide with the opportunity to stay with the host family. Have a broad network and partnership with organizations of over 50 countries.	Learning a new culture and language can be challenging for many. Student don't have full control over their living situation.

Go International

Go International is a recognized organization by the Government of Canada. They offer different internships and volunteer programs for Canadian College students between the ages of 18 to 35. They also provide work-and-travel programs
that allows students to cover their expenses while learning new skills and experiences.

Pros	Cons
It offers different plans, including internship and volunteer programs. Recognized by the Canadian Government. Especially focus on the Canadian high school and college students.	Limited scope as they focus mainly on Canadian students. Not have a wider range of destinations than other programs.

Gap year travel programs for UK students

Project Abroad

Project Abroad is known for its volunteer program and has rated 4.6+ stars on Trustpilot. It has organized more than 136,371 international travel programs successfully since 1993. This organization offers a wide range of programs and has a dedicated support team to find the ideal fit for you. This is a great opportunity for high school and College student of the UK looking to travel the world during their gap year.

Pros	Cons
Have happily organized 136,371 plus programs. Have experience of 30+ years. It offers a dedicated support team to help you find the programs that interest you.	Mainly focus only on the younger audience Some programs' charges are higher than those of competitors.

Gapforce Program

GapForce is a UK-based organization that has been running successfully since 1989. It has several programs ranging from 4-12 weeks. The popular gap year program offered by Gapforce includes Australia Adventure, Nepal & India Adventure, South America Explorer, and many more. The average price for a 6-week program is around £4800.

Pros	Cons
Led by experienced and qualified instructors. Focus on developing practical skills like leadership, teamwork, communication, and environmental awareness. Include a variety of programs like wildlife conservation and cultural programs.	Limited program length. (Not more than 12+ Weeks) Higher cost: the cost for 6 week's program is £4800

Conclusion

As we discovered above, there are many different organizations that offer different programs. While choosing one for you, consider factors like program structure, cost, and specific skills or experiences. This helps you to pick the best one for you.

Remember, a gap year program is not just a break from academics- it's a journey to shape your future. It is the opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and experience new passions and skills.

FAQs

Is it a good idea to take a gap year to travel?

Yes, a gap year can be a great idea to gain life experience, develop skills, and explore new cultures before continuing your studies or career.

How much does a gap year travel program cost?

The cost of your gap year travel program can vary depending on your destination, program length, and included facilities, but budgeting between $5,000 to $15,000 USD is common.

How long do gap year programs last?

Gap-year programs typically last anywhere from a few months to a full academic year, with durations often ranging from 3 to 12 months.

How much does a gap year travel program typically cost?

On average, a gap year travel program can cost between $10,000 to $25,000 USD, depending on the program's duration, location, and included activities.