Gap Year

What is a Gap Year?

According to the Gap Year Association, it's a "A semester or year of experiential learning, typically taken after high school and prior to career or post-secondary education, in order to deepen one's practical, professional, and personal awareness." No two gap years are alike: Intentionality, deliberately expanding one's comfort zones, having a cross-cultural experience, and reflecting on your experiences are critical components to a quality gap year.

Gap Year Resources

Engage: Engage pulls volunteer opportunities from sites around the web to provide the most comprehensive database of volunteer opportunities around the world. Individuals can search for volunteer projects, nonprofits can post and manage event sign-ups, and visitors are invited to start projects of their own – all in one place.

AmeriCorps: AmeriCorps is your moment to take the path less traveled, to break the status quo, to stop talking about the problem and be the solution. Join AmeriCorps and you can mentor and tutor kids, rebuild a community after disaster, help veterans, or work with local communities to alleviate poverty. There are thousands of opportunities to choose from, find the one that fits you.

College Gap Year Resource Guidebook: This guide delves into the questions surrounding how, when, and why to take a gap year and provides expert advice for those considering this option.

Gap Year Association: Offers a search tool for gap year programs, advice, a planning guide for families, and many other resources.

Habitat for Humanity - Global Village: Volunteer trips offer more than just the opportunity to swing a hammer. When you travel and volunteer with Global Village, you’ll experience the country like a local, with the locals. Meet people from around the world with all different kinds of backgrounds, races and religions.

Idealist.Org: Connects people and organizations, posts internships and job opportunities with non-profits.

National Park Service: Find internship and volunteer opportunities with the National Park Service for high school, college, and graduate school students.

VolunteerMatch: We believe everyone should have the chance to make a difference. That's why we make it easy for good people and good causes to connect. We've connected millions of people with a great place to volunteer and helped tens of thousands of organizations better leverage volunteers to create real impact.