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What is a gap semester (and why you should care)?

A gap semester (sometimes called a mini-gap year) is a break that students take from their studies. It can occur after high school or university, but sometimes also takes place during university.

These breaks are shorter than a traditional gap year, typically lasting three to four months. That’s about the length of a semester (hence the name!).

Benefits of a gap semester

Less disruption: A gap semester won’t impact your academic progress in the same way that a full year off could.
More affordable: Generally, gap semesters are less expensive than full-year programmes.
Flexibility: If you have a full year to spare, gap semesters offer the flexibility to combine different experiences or tailor your break to your interests.
Ideal starting point: A gap semester can be a perfect “trial run” for a longer gap year experience.

Why you should consider a gap semester

There is a common myth that needs to dispelled: universities and employers will look down on you for taking a gap year.

This is NOT true.

According to the Gap Year Association, 90% of students who take a gap year return to college within one year. Gap years also offer incredible chances to learn, with those who have taken one claiming that being in a new environment, meeting new people, travelling independently, and volunteering are the most crucial learning experiences.

These result in significant personal growth, giving you the chance to learn new skills, expand your world view, increase self-confidence, become more mature, and engage in personal reflection.

To summarise, those reasons to consider a gap semester include:

Personal growth: Students report significant personal development, increased self-confidence, and greater maturity after their gap experiences.
New perspectives: Travelling and volunteering abroad expose students to different cultures and ways of life.
Academic benefits: Studies show gap years can lead to better grades and increased job satisfaction after graduation.
Career exploration: Over half (60%) of students who take a gap year report it influenced their choice of major or career (the percentage is much higher for medically-minded students).

In some countries, it is even normal to wait a year after high school before heading off to university. In Norway, Denmark, and Turkey, the majority of students take time out after graduating from high school.

It all factors into the general consensus that those who take a gap semester or gap year can quickly become more mature, self-reliant, and independent people as a result. That’s more than enough reason to get away and have a good time while remaining firmly focused on your future.

What can I do on a gap semester?

If you’re still reading this, maybe something struck a chord. That’s great, as we offer dedicated Gap Programmes for people aged 17 to 24, with the knowledge, experience, and connections to give you an incredible and totally safe international travel experience during your gap year.

Our international Gap Programmes range between 4 and 10 weeks long, stretching across the whole globe. They are designed to blend adrenaline, exploration, education, and sustainable travel to provide you with an unforgettable gap year experience.

Some of our most popular Gap Programmes include:

Gap Adventure: Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand (10 weeks)
Gap Adventure: Costa Rica & Panama (6 weeks)
Gap Project: Nepal & Cambodia (10 weeks)
Gap Adventure: Vietnam (4 weeks)

For a more traditional gap year, we offer a 28-week Global Gap Year combining multiple Gap Programmes that will take you to Peru, the Galapagos Islands, Kenya, Tanzania, Nepal, and Cambodia. It starts in September and ends in March.

View all gap programmes

Specialist medical programmes

If you’re one of those medically-minded people mentioned earlier, you’re in the right place.

You’ll want to explore our Medicine Projects to start with. If you have your sights set on medical school, we have purpose-built Undergrad Medical Internships designed to give your application the edge.

See our medical internships