Gap Year Fairs Programs
The USA Gap Year Fairs website offers a listing of a variety of different Gap Year programs. All the programs listed below are Keystone Programs; they are registered to participate in the majority of our fairs across the country. Below you will find a profile of each and a link to their full website. If there is a specific program you are interested in or a question you have regarding these programs, please feel free to contact them directly!
Dynamy Internship Year
Dynamy Internship Year - http://www.internshipyear.org
Dynamy Internship Year is the oldest and only residential internship program in the country. Our mission is to offer young people, ages 17-22, a transformational gap year (or semester) opportunity. Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, Dynamy Internship Year integrates full-time mentored internships in over 240 organizations with urban and backcountry leadership experiences, personal and college/career advising, city apartment living, optional college seminars and the company of a remarkable group of peers.
Thinking Beyond Borders
Thinking Beyond Borders - http://www.thinkingbeyondborders.org
Thinking Beyond Borders empowers and inspires students through education to address critical global issues. Our gap year programs provide learning and personal growth opportunities unlike any other. You'll gain new perspectives through fieldwork, homestays, and academic study in developing communities where people face real issues. Program Leaders with Master's degrees in International Development and education will support your learning with seminars and mentoring. TBB's full-year and semester options include a 7-country Global Gap Year, the Ecuador Gap Semester, and the Thailand Gap Semester.
Academy at Watkinson
Academy at Watkinson - http://www.watkinson.org/programs/theacademy
The Academy at Watkinson offers a pre-college year designed by YOU. While strengthening your transcript at a historic preparatory school, you can participate in intriguing internships, travel opportunities to amazing places such as London, Cambodia, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. You may take transferable classes at an excellent University in New England, and engage in rewarding community service opportunities of your own choosing. Gain independence by living on or off-campus with great host families. With help of highly-motivated counselors you design your own unique customized pre-college year. The Academy also welcomes international students!
Adventures Cross Country
Adventures Cross Country - http://www.arccgap.com
ARCC has been offering programs for young adults since 1983. ARCC GAP Semesters are an opportunity to live and learn in some of the greatest classrooms on earth. Our Semester programs embark on a journey of discovery of local peoples, places, cultures and ideas. Along the way we weave together our first person experiences with a curriculum comprising five important themes: Public Health, Literacy & Education, Urbanization and the Movement of People, Environment & Conservation, and Microfinance & Economic Growth. ARCC offers GAP Semesters in Africa (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda) and Asia (China, Tibet and Thailand).
Africa & Asia Venture, Ltd.
Africa & Asia Venture, Ltd. - http://www.aventure.co.uk
Established in 1993, Africa & Asia Venture (known as AV) is a small UK-based not-for-profit social enterprise specialising in gap year volunteering projects in the developing world for 18 - 25 year olds. Over 5,500 people from 30+ countries have together contributed more than 1,200 man-years of service to the communities in which we operate. We offer a unique experience of group-based full-immersion projects in rural communities, where volunteers live the way the locals live, and after which they have a period of independent travel time to go wherever they wish, all supported by our dedicated, 24/7, in-country management teams.
AFS-USA
AFS-USA - http://www.afsusa.org
AFS Intercultural Programs, a non-profit organization with 65 years of experience in international student exchange, offers Gap Year programs in 30 different countries around the world. Whether you want to go abroad for a semester, summer, or year, there are many AFS options to choose from: study at a university or high school, work on a community service project, or otherwise immerse yourself in a new culture and language! Whichever path you take, an AFS Gap Year program will be rewarding and life-changing. Learn more about our Gap Year programs in Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa at www.afsusa.org.
Amigos de las Américas
Amigos de las Américas - http://www.amigoslink.org/
Founded in 1965, AMIGOS operates community service and immersion programs in Latin America in order to empower youth leaders. Gap Year Volunteers are placed in partnerships and live with host families in small communities in Nicaragua. They serve as interns with local development organizations and collaborate with community leaders to carry out sustainable development projects. Additionally, volunteers organize and lead extra-curricular activities for local youth, and create multimedia projects to track and share their projects. As a group, volunteers participate in monthly workshops and cultural and historical excursions around the country.
Art History Abroad
Art History Abroad - http://www.arthistoryabroad.com/
Study art, architecture and European Culture throughout Italy, Paris and London. Our carefully structured gap year courses last twelve weeks in the autumn semester, or six weeks at other times. There are shorter summer courses too. All tuition is delivered in front of many of the masterpieces of art from the ancient world, through the Renaissance and up to Modernism. Unstuffy, engaging tutors deliver brilliant tuition in tutorial groups of 9 or fewer. Art History Abroad (AHA) will expand your horizons and give you an appreciation of art for life and a love of Venice, Florence and Rome.
Aspire by API
Aspire by API - http://www.aspirebyapi.com
Aspire by API, the gap year and high school division of Academic Programs International (API), is dedicated to providing comprehensive gap year and gap semester programs in Argentina, France, Ireland, Italy, and Spain. Aspire by API’s language and cultural immersion programs provide students with opportunities to get involved with the local community, earn college credits, and to develop relevant global skills in an exciting, enriching, safe, and secure setting.
Carpe Diem International Education
Carpe Diem International Education - http://www.carpediemeducation.org
Carpe Diem Education offers 3-month and yearlong international programs with college-credit, to 8 distinct regions of the world. All programs are designed to inspire growth and transformation through experiential education, community and intercultural exchange. In a small group setting, Carpe Diem travel semesters focus on; community service, adventure travel, language study, home stays, and authentic cultural exchange. Our students receive insight into themselves while cultivating a sense of love and understanding for the areas in which they are traveling and the people with whom they interact. As an organization we take a stand for integrity, decency, mother earth, peace, and for living without compromising our own personal integrity.
Center for Interim Programs
Center for Interim Programs - http://www.interimprograms.com
Founded in 1980, The Center for Interim Programs is the first and longest-running independent gap-year counseling organization in the United States. Over the last 30 years Interim has developed a database with over 6,000 programs, placements and opportunities all over the world. Our experienced counselors help to create, based on your interests and budget, a customized year of reputable options which include: group travel programs, low cost volunteer options, job-like placements, language schools, wilderness options, academic semesters, research trips and much more. We are the key note speakers at the USA Gap Year Fairs nationwide.
CIEE
CIEE - http://www.ciee.org/hsabroad
CIEE offers US high school graduates a unique way to explore the world. A Gap Year Abroad with CIEE offers college-bound graduates an opportunity to acquire a broader global perspective, foster independence and gain self-knowledge. Students seeking to stretch intellectually, explore new vistas, develop leadership and become responsible global citizens are ideal candidates for a CIEE Gap Year.
City Year Inc.
City Year Inc. - http://www.cityyear.org
City Year is an education focused, nonprofit organization that unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service to keep students in school and on track to graduation. At City Year’s 24 urban locations across the United States and two international affiliates, teams of trained young people called corps members serve full-time in schools for the academic year as tutors, mentors and role models. By focusing on attendance, behavior and course performance, which identify students who are at risk of dropping out, corps members are uniquely able to help students and schools succeed.
Dragons Summer and Semester Abroad Programs
Dragons Summer and Semester Abroad Programs - http://www.wheretherebedragons.com/whydragons.who.html
Now celebrating its twentieth season, Where There Be Dragons ("Dragons" for short) runs small-group learning adventures in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. Through off-the-beaten-path travel, service, home-stays, language study and wilderness exploration, Dragons provides an honest and authentic survey of culture, landscape and development issues in the world's most intriguing locales. Since 1993, Dragons has been a pioneer in the field of cross-cultural experiential education. Here’s what a recent parent said: “We wanted a program outside of convention. There are many programs that are glorified teen-tours. We sought an experience that would challenge our son and introduce him to the education involved not only in sojourning within foreign landscapes, but in building relationships within a community.” Dragons has brought students on small-group learning adventures to Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa since 1993. www.wheretherebedragons.com
Gap Year South Africa
Gap Year South Africa - http://www.GapYearSouthAfrica.com
Gap Year South Africa harnesses the power of volunteerism and aims to connect the developed world with the developing world. We believe in the power and importance of committing time and energy into a developmental project. Our on the ground organisation in South Africa has an extensive network of contacts and intimate knowledge of local conditions, which allows us to organise the best possible South African Gap Year projects.
Gap Year South Africa works extremely closely with under-resourced local South African communities. At the core of Gap Year South Africa’s DNA are our community development projects. This is our primary objective as an organisation and we want to welcome volunteers that are motivated to make a difference and serve others that have been afforded very little opportunity in life. Our South African Gap Year projects contribute to social and economic development and address priority areas such as education, health, moral regeneration and social cohesion.
In addition to our community development initiatives we also offer Surfing and Sports Coaching projects. These provide volunteers with the opportunity to focus on a specific sport whilst serving our local community as well.
Global Citizen Year
Global Citizen Year - http://www.globalcitizenyear.org
International School for Earth Studies (ISES)
International School for Earth Studies (ISES) - http://www.earth-studies.ca/
Our principal goal is to immerse our students in environmental education, outdoor recreation and wildlife rehabilitation in order to promote environmental responsibility inspired through appreciation for natural places and the Earth.
International Studies Abroad ISA & Learning Programs International LPI
International Studies Abroad ISA & Learning Programs International LPI - http://www.studiesabroad.com/gapyear
ISA Gap Year Programs offer high school graduates the opportunity to study abroad before entering college. Students can choose from a variety of ISA programs in over 14 countries. Gap Year is ideal for students who want to explore their interests, delve into unfamiliar territory, and enter college more focused and independent. LPI is designed especially for students who are currently enrolled in high school. LPI's summer programs emphasize language acquisition and cultural immersion for students at various levels of proficiency. Students take classes at an accredited foreign university and earn college credit while living with a homestay.
KIVU Gap Year
KIVU Gap Year - http://www.kivugapyear.com
Vocational Discovery in a Global Community: We prepare college-bound high school graduates for success in higher education through domestic and international learning adventures that help them clarify their faith, discover their passions, and focus their career goals, in a global context. Students earn college credit and develop a Life Thesis as the final culmination of their internship based learning experience as they travel and work in multiple destinations including urban Denver, Haiti, Rwanda, the Philippines, and one more location unique to each new class of students. Students also hike Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the tallest free standing mountain in the world. Follow the current program in real time at http://www.facebook.com/kivugapyear.
Kroka Expeditions
Kroka Expeditions - http://www.kroka.org/
Kroka Expeditions is committed to awakening in young people a connection to nature and the spirit within, and a capacity for conscious living and compassionate service. We strive to acheive this through wilderness adventure, community living, farming, and the practice of traditional and indigenous skills
LEAPNOW: Transforming Education
LEAPNOW: Transforming Education - http://www.leapnow.org
- Since 2002, LEAPNOW has been running LEAPYEAR, an 8-month program that brings together the best of a gap year with a fully integrated and accredited year of college. The purpose is to shorten life’s learning curve through expansive outer exploration in the world, and an intensive mentored journey within. LEAPYEAR includes:
- · 3 months of guided group travel in India or Latin America (your choice)
- · A 3-month solo internship chosen from a database of over 6,100 opportunities in 126 countries
- · 2 months of residential retreats at our California campus focused on making a graceful and powerful transition into adulthood, including formal rites of passage. A chance to really know who you are before paying for the rest of college.
- · 36 quarter hours of academic credit through Antioch University Seattle
- · Full access to Federal financial aid through the FAFSA process and ample private scholarships
- LEAPYEAR runs from September to May, and January to August. Our 19th year-long group will start in January of 2013. Located on a beautiful rural campus in northern California, LEAPNOW has been creating and running cutting-edge gap year and alternative learning programs since 1994.
Lexia Gap Year
Lexia Gap Year - http://www.lexiagapyear.org
A growing number of college age students in the United States are looking at alternatives to beginning their college studies immediately following their high school graduation. One of those alternatives is taking a Gap Year. The Lexia Gap Year gives students the opportunity to explore the world while at the same time allowing them to learn a language and earn college credit.
In addition to gaining valuable research skills and taking classes, students who participate in Lexia Gap Year programs develop through experiential learning and travel. Lexia Gap Year participants study abroad in Paris, Berlin, Barcelona, or Rome taking four different courses per semester.
The Lexia philosophy is designed for students who want to gain international experience before embarking on their college careers. Lexia believes in helping students make the most of their gap year experience by learning a new language, living with local residents, and taking classes that will give students excellent preparation for their college studies. The classes taken with Lexia Gap Year provide students with a transcript and college credit so that they won't lose time while they're experiencing life abroad. Lexia's Gap Year programs are designed for students who want to make the most of their college years by gaining valuable international experience before matriculating in the college of their choice.
Maximo Nivel
Maximo Nivel - http://www.maximonivel.com
Maximo Nivel offers its International Volunteer and Internship Program, Native Spanish Immersion Program, TEFL/TESOL course and Adventure and Culture Program in Guatemala, Peru and Costa Rica. Our programs appeal to all ages and interests, as we provide the unique opportunity to live and work internationally while experiencing the countries’ rich cultural diversity and building Spanish proficiency. Programs can range from 1 week to 6 months and focus on career-building, fun or social service.
Minds Abroad
Minds Abroad - http://www.mindsabroad.com/
Minds Abroad offers both gap year and summer programs for high school students in Asia, specifically in China, India, Vietnam and Thailand. We offer programs incorporating classes, travel, internships, and extensive volunteer service learning. Due to our service learning program we were recently selected as a “Top Ten Best Practices Program” by the Center for Citizen Diplomacy and the U.S. State Department.
National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)
National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) - http://www.nols.edu/
The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) takes people of all ages on real wilderness expeditions, teaching outdoors skills, environmental ethics, and leadership in some of the most wild classroom in the world. With courses ranging from the 10 days to a full academic year, students can earn up to 19 credits a semester while learning the skills to be competent, responsible wilderness travelers and leaders long after their course is over..
Australia. Alaska. Patagonia. Inda. New Zealand. The list goes on. Where could a NOLS course take you? Check out www.nols.edu today and start dreaming.
Outward Bound
Outward Bound - http://www.outwardbound.org/gap-year-semester-courses/
Leading The Way In Experiential Education For 50 Years.
Over one million students in the U.S. have benefited from Outward Bound's unparalleled approach to "learning by doing." Outward Bound in the U.S. traces its roots to 1962 when courses were developed to prepare young people entering the Peace Corps and careers in foreign service. Today, Outward Bound offers courses in some of the most spectacular and inspiring settings in the United States and in Central and South America, successfully preparing students to confront the challenges they face today with self-confidence, tenacity and compassion. From 30 days to 85 days, from mountaineering to dog sledding to swimming with dolphins to service projects in remote villages, student emerge from Outward Bound with new insights about themselves, about teamwork and compassion and about how to make a difference in the world. Follow us on Facebook. Explore our Gap Year and Semester offerings.
Oxford Advanced Studies Program
Oxford Advanced Studies Program - http://www.oasp.ac.uk
For over twenty years, the Oxford Advanced Studies Program has offered enthusiastic young people, from the US and elsewhere, the opportunity to study and live in the historic and vibrant city of Oxford, home to one of the world's oldest and most celebrated universities. Our stimulating courses provide an ideal preparation for college-level study. Applications are also invited from High School seniors and from college students who want to spend a term or longer abroad. Alongside the academics, a varied and enjoyable program of weekly visits and activities is arranged, adding an extra dimension to the study abroad experience and ensuring that our students depart with more than just a taste of England’s rich heritage.
Rustic Pathways
Rustic Pathways - http://www.rusticpathways.com/gap
Rustic Pathways enriches the lives of its students and staff, benefits the parts of the world it serves and builds cultural bridges that lead to greater global understanding and cooperation. We are a 30-year global leader in providing superior quality community service, education, and adventure programs. Our customizable, connectible programs range from one to nine months in length. We offer an unmatched global network of empowering projects and inspiring program leaders that create a and safe positive environment that can build participants' maturity and independence, increase motivation, and prepare them for success in college and professional careers.
Sea | mester
Sea | mester - http://www.seamester.com
Sea|mester offers a range of unique gap-year adventures where our students live full-time aboard either S/Y Ocean Star or S/Y Argo sailing from island to island, country to country or continent to continent in any number of global locations. In this way, no part of the experience is confined by the four walls of a traditional classroom. If you're looking for a unique educational adventure, then Sea|mester could be the right program for you.
Throughout the year, Sea|mester offers global semester at sea voyages for college students and high school graduates. From voyages as short as 20 days to as long as 90, S/Y Ocean Star, our 88-foot schooner, sails full-time in theCaribbean, whereas our new vessel S/Y Argo circumnavigates the world. Along the way, our crews visit many different islands and countries, undertaking research and service projects with local government and private organizations while simultaneously working toward their academics and certifications.
SFYI International School
SFYI International School - http://www.sfyi.org
SFYI offers a gap semester or year study abroad and summer programs for students interested in other cultures, the arts, adventure, travel, and immersion. Located in the quaint French village of Villesèque des Corbières, students immerse themselves in the language and culture of this proud region. Extensive travel and lessons span from France and Spain to the far reaches of South Africa. While artistry and culture influence our students' experiences, the geography also offers boundless potential for outdoor experiences, such as canyoning in Spain and community service in South Africa. Experience a combination of culture and activities not often offered in most educational settings.
The Leap
The Leap - http://www.theleap.co.uk
The Leap is a leading gap year company, established by Guy and Milly Whitehead in 1999, who with their dedicated team are on hand 24/7 to help plan, deliver and manage your gap year.
Volunteering, internships, summer gaps and equine placements from 6 to 10 weeks across Africa, Asia and South America. All programs include a mix of projects, in a mix of locations, challenging both mind + muscle.Travel as part of a Leap team for an instant social life and great camaraderie.
VisitOz
VisitOz - http://www.visitoz.org
Paid jobs are guaranteed in rural and Outback areas on farms, ranches, and in hospitality, childcare, and teaching. VisitOz students are offered an initial nine-day farm training and safety course before work
Youth for Understanding (YFU) USA
Youth for Understanding (YFU) USA - http://www.yfu-usa.org
YFU USA is a non-profit international educational organization that brings 2,000 students to the U.S. and sends over 400 U.S. teens abroad each year. For over 60 years, YFU has exemplified excellence in international youth exchange world-wide.