Structured Gap Year Programmes Abroad

Taking a gap year allows you to expand your world view and perspective, immerse yourself in new cultures, and witness breathtaking scenery.

Our gap year abroad programmes also offer you the chance to grow personally and professionally while creating positive change in the communities you visit.

These programmes allow you to:

• work alongside like-minded volunteers from around the globe, making lifelong connections.
• broaden your horizons while ticking countries off your bucket list
• become part of positive change in the world in underserved communities
• gain unique global experience and demonstrate your work ethic and your resume
• create memories and stories that last a lifetime

You can take the unique experience you gain from your gap year abroad and apply it to your studies and future career. It will go a long way in helping you stand out from the crowd in applications and interviews!

Interested? Get in touch with a Project Expert to discuss your options.

We’ve been matching people to their dream responsible travel opportunities since 1992. 

We’re no strangers to the transformational power of travel and believe that the best experiences are those that are authentic. 

All our gap year projects are crafted with authenticity in mind, along with our market-leading approach to safety and security. We don’t just send you on your way — we stay with you throughout your journey without getting in the way.

You’ll meet and learn from local experts, immerse in new cultures, try exciting new things, and still see the usual tourist sights. You won’t just see the world, you’ll feel it too.

The best part? We handle all the planning so you don’t have to. Your accommodation, food, activities, in-destination transport, and more are all included as part of the initial cost.

“Excellent for developing soft skills and social skills, especially because everyone is from different countries, backgrounds and cultures. You’ll make lifelong friends: everyone else is from all over the world, and a massive part of it is the people you meet along the way.”

– Cameron S, Global Gap Year 2024

Our Gap Components are the DNA of our philosophy around transformational travel.

Each Gap Programme contains our five essential components:

• Exploration — Get off the beaten path! Explore all the incredible sights, hidden gems, and cultural experiences your destinations have to offer.
• Cultural Exchange — Go below the surface! Immerse yourself in local cultures as you engage with welcoming communities at every stop.
• Responsible Travel — Use travel as a force for good! Learn about the principles of sustainable travel and support service initiatives along your route.
• Adventure — Time for adrenaline! Join excursions for some high-octane thrill. Sandboard desert dunes, trek the Andes, set out on safari, and more.
• Personal Growth — Uncover your potential! Guided by our expert team, you’ll discover the world and your place in it.

Our gap year programmes range from 4 to 28 weeks and are customizable to fit your schedule.

Looking for a shorter, more flexible gap year? Our Volunteer and Intern trips may be for you. Pick your own start and end dates, and volunteer abroad from as little as one week to one year.

A gap year is an adventure that will change your life. You’ll see incredible destinations and have the chance to discover who you really are.

Highlights of our gap projects include:

• traversing coasts, mountains, deserts, and rainforests in a single trip
• building real relationships with people and communities around the world, contributing toward their goals
• fully immersing in new cultures through homestays, language lessons, cultural workshops, and more
• exhilarating activities like white water rafting, dune buggying, sand boarding, hikes… the list goes on

Our gap year volunteer opportunities are packed full of eye-opening experiences. You will immerse in new cultures, build your confidence, expand your global understanding, and develop real skills.

Volunteering abroad on your gap year is a powerful way to grow, learn, and make a real difference. You can explore career options, gain hands-on experience, and work alongside local professionals in fields like medicine, law, education, and more.

It’s also an unmatched chance to see the world, experience new cultures, and understand global issues firsthand. Our Gap Programmes lean heavily into cultural workshops, giving you exposure to local crafts, martial arts, and the daily life of global communities.

You’ll be part of meaningful, ethical projects that support local groups and contribute toward their goals. Along the way, you’ll discover your strengths, build confidence, and return home with a clearer sense of purpose and unforgettable memories.

We want you to get the most out of your gap year. So, contact our Project experts to find the perfect gap year travel programmes for you, depending on your goals.

Universities do not look down on gap years, as long as the time is used purposefully and framed well in your application. A gap year can actually strengthen your university application if you:

• engage in meaningful experiences like volunteering, internships, or service-learning programmes (such as Projects Abroad)
• reflect on how the experience helped you grow personally, academically, or professionally
• explain clearly why you took a gap year, what you learned, and how it connects to your future goals
• demonstrate that you maintained your academic momentum and are ready to return to study

Gap years are not a foreign concept to universities, what matters most is how you talk about the experience. Saying “I took time to clarify my goals” or “gain real-world / global experience” is far more effective than “I took time off.”

Our gap year programmes provide structured, impactful experiences. We also help students reflect on their time, giving them the language and confidence to present their gap year powerfully in university applications, essays, and interviews.

The cost of your trip covers:

• getting picked up from the airport and taken back again when it’s time to go home
• all internal travel, such as coaches, ferries, and flights
• three meals a day
• accommodation
• 24/7 support in destination(s)
• regular social events, excursions, and workshop activities
• visa support and advice
• full induction and orientation by experienced staff upon arrival

To clarify, that’s everything except flights, visa(s), insurance, and spending money. For a full list, read ‘What’s included in the price?’

Yes you can!

Our Gap Programmes are designed to work together, so you can do more than one. Combine trips to customise your gap year or join a Global Gap Year experience.

Contact a Project Expert today to discuss your options.

All that is needed to secure your place on any Gap Programme, Gap Project, or Global Gap Year is:

1. Pay a £195 deposit today.
2. This deposit is taken off the final balance of payment for your trip.
3. The remaining balance is due to be paid three months before you travel.

You can choose how much, and when to pay, up to three months before your start date.

This means you have complete flexibility to save up or pay in instalments at a time that suits you.

There is no interest, no credit, and no fees. You are in total control.

Read payments made easy for more information.