Is a Gap Year Right for me?
Gap years are right for everyone. You can take them whenever (I was 38 when I took mine and I wish I'd done it sooner!). I know parents worry you won't go to college. But high school isn't the same as it was when we were there. And neither is college. Most of us couldn't get the grades we got in high school today and we couldn't get into the colleges we got into back then either. It's a different world. And it's your turn to check it out.
What are some things I can do during a Gap Year for free (or even pay!)?
Americorps – Like the Peace Corps but in the US, build houses, work on infrastructure, help people (paid!)
City Year – Part of Americorps, work with students to help them succeed in school (paid!)
Student Conservation Association – Offers team and individual service opportunities focused on conservation
21st Century Conservation Corps – Public/Private partnership, conservation work, seasonal
USDA Pathways – Internship options with USDA, gets you into the work of Agriculture, Veterinary, Food Safety, IT
Forest Department Resource Assistance Program – Puts you in the National Parks doing conservation work, (Paid!)
DoSomething.org – Student run activism campaigns that you can engage with
SkyWarn – Part of the National Weather Service, trains you to spot severe weather and how to communicate it locally
Youth Activist Tool Kit – Teaches you how to create your own grass roots movement
Volunteer Match – Helps you to find a local community service group to work with wherever you are living
Idealist – Matches people with volunteer opportunities, internships, and jobs that make a difference in the world
Startup School – Start your own business with the help of Y Combinator
WWOOF – Live for free in exchange for working on organic farms. All over the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe and Asia (must be 18+)
HelpX – help out on farms in exchange for room and board. All over the world (must be 18+)
Habitat for Humanity – Help build houses for those who do not have them
NSLI-Y – Study abroad program for strategic languages from the State Department (you must apply by the end of October to get into this program and have language skills in the strategic language)
Yes Abroad! – Study abroad program for strategic languages from the State Department (you must apply by the end of October to get into this program but do not have to have language skills in the strategic language)
What are some things I can do during a Gap Year for low cost?
IVHQ – Volunteer in the US and abroad in a variety of ways. The longer the time spent the more economical it is
IFRE – Offers everything from alternative spring break to family volunteer options to semester volunteering abroad
United Planet – Allows you to volunteer in service projects around the world
Unvolunteer – Offers multiple service opportunities internationally
Projects Abroad – Connects you to service projects abroad
A Broader View – Offers service programs, language immersion, mission trips, and more
Americorps – Like the Peace Corps but in the US, build houses, work on infrastructure, help people (paid!)
City Year – Part of Americorps, work with students to help them succeed in school (paid!)
Student Conservation Association – Offers team and individual service opportunities focused on conservation
21st Century Conservation Corps – Public/Private partnership, conservation work, seasonal
USDA Pathways – Internship options with USDA, gets you into the work of Agriculture, Veterinary, Food Safety, IT
Forest Department Resource Assistance Program – Puts you in the National Parks doing conservation work, (Paid!)
DoSomething.org – Student run activism campaigns that you can engage with
SkyWarn – Part of the National Weather Service, trains you to spot severe weather and how to communicate it locally
Youth Activist Tool Kit – Teaches you how to create your own grass roots movement
Volunteer Match – Helps you to find a local community service group to work with wherever you are living
Idealist – Matches people with volunteer opportunities, internships, and jobs that make a difference in the world
Startup School – Start your own business with the help of Y Combinator
WWOOF – Live for free in exchange for working on organic farms. All over the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe and Asia (must be 18+)
HelpX – help out on farms in exchange for room and board. All over the world (must be 18+)
Habitat for Humanity – Help build houses for those who do not have them
NSLI-Y – Study abroad program for strategic languages from the State Department (you must apply by the end of October to get into this program and have language skills in the strategic language)
Yes Abroad! – Study abroad program for strategic languages from the State Department (you must apply by the end of October to get into this program but do not have to have language skills in the strategic language)
What are some things I can do during a Gap Year for low cost?
IVHQ – Volunteer in the US and abroad in a variety of ways. The longer the time spent the more economical it is
IFRE – Offers everything from alternative spring break to family volunteer options to semester volunteering abroad
United Planet – Allows you to volunteer in service projects around the world
Unvolunteer – Offers multiple service opportunities internationally
Projects Abroad – Connects you to service projects abroad
A Broader View – Offers service programs, language immersion, mission trips, and more
Less Free and More Cost:
CIEE study abroad (used by colleges and universities)
ISA study abroad (used by colleges and universities)
AIFS study abroad (used by colleges and universities)
API study abroad (used by colleges and universities)
Global Citizen Year – Offers both semester and year long programs focused on social and climate justice
Go Overseas – Offers both programs and overseas jobs for people looking to travel
Outward Bound – Gets you out into nature from mountains to sea
Carpe Diem – Travel abroad but also can include college credit and language study. Opportunity for scholarship
Global Routes – Service to help you plan your Gap Year
Pacific Discovery – Like Outward Bound, this program focuses on the Pacific and the adventure survival type experience
NOLS – Offers a variety of programs for semester and year long expeditions in the US and abroad. There is financial aid available
CIEE study abroad (used by colleges and universities)
ISA study abroad (used by colleges and universities)
AIFS study abroad (used by colleges and universities)
API study abroad (used by colleges and universities)
Global Citizen Year – Offers both semester and year long programs focused on social and climate justice
Go Overseas – Offers both programs and overseas jobs for people looking to travel
Outward Bound – Gets you out into nature from mountains to sea
Carpe Diem – Travel abroad but also can include college credit and language study. Opportunity for scholarship
Global Routes – Service to help you plan your Gap Year
Pacific Discovery – Like Outward Bound, this program focuses on the Pacific and the adventure survival type experience
NOLS – Offers a variety of programs for semester and year long expeditions in the US and abroad. There is financial aid available
Looking for something else or more specific? Come see me in the library and we'll sort something tailored to your interests!
