Gap Year Guide

In 2020, 40% of incoming first-year students considered taking a college gap year. Students choosing between college or a gap year benefit from many options: volunteering, working, traveling, or studying abroad.

While most students plan a gap year before college, a growing number choose to take a gap year during or after college. A gap year before college helps high schoolers grow before entering postsecondary school. Taking time off during a degree lets undergrads focus their career goals and take a break from school. A gap year after college provides the opportunity to gain professional experience before graduate school or pursue a once-in-a-lifetime travel goal.

This guide walks through taking a college gap year and offers options, benefits, and tips for making the most of a gap year.

Many students who take a college gap year choose to travel, whether internationally or domestically. Some choose a program or tour to organize their travels, while others design their own itinerary.

Traveling as a student can pose some challenges. While most countries offer tourist visas, they typically expire after a relatively short period. Visitors to Europe can spend up to 90 days on a tourist visa, but they can not work while traveling. Tourists should take care picking up jobs to fund their trips in case those opportunities violate their visa’s terms.

According to the American Gap Year Association, Israel and the U.S. rank the highest for gap year travel. Scenic locations like Switzerland, Ecuador, and India follow after that. Other top-ten destinations include Peru, New Zealand, Thailand, Costa Rica, and Tanzania. Nearly every continent sees representation on the list.

In these diverse locations, tourists experience natural beauty, historic sites, and rich cultural traditions.

Note: This list was compiled from 2020 data and does not reflect current trends. Check for travel advisories and news related to the countries on this list before traveling to them.

Food pantries, social justice organizations, and low-income housing agencies all rely on volunteers to provide invaluable services to communities. Spending a gap year volunteering lets students give back to their community and make a difference.

Volunteers can contribute locally or travel to international destinations. Some programs sponsor volunteer work, including religious-based programs and independent sponsors like Plan My Gap Year. Students with various skills can find a volunteer opportunity fitting their abilities. Whether building wells or entering data, volunteers make a major difference in countries worldwide.

Volunteers generally do not receive monetary compensation for their work, posing a problem for students saving money for school. Still, some volunteer organizations offer scholarships or grants for college students.

Many people choose to work during a gap year before college or a gap year after college. Full-time, part-time, and freelance job opportunities provide students with income and professional experience. Internships also provide valuable experience and help interns build a professional network. Most students gain work experience locally, but some pursue teaching abroad opportunities, volunteer with international organizations, or take jobs in other states.

Students considering work opportunities should weigh their options carefully. A full-time position may garner more money, but a part-time job allows time for other interests. Take note, also, that over 60% of internships offer pay, according to 2019 Chegg data.

Working during a gap year comes with some tradeoffs. Students may feel pressured to keep working rather than continue their education. They might also feel that they missed out on other gap year opportunities like traveling or studying abroad.

Students can spend their college gap year participating in study abroad programs. In addition to college-sponsored opportunities, many independent programs offer study abroad trips to countries worldwide.

Learners study abroad to explore ancient history, art, conservation, and environmental science while experiencing a new culture. Many programs offer immersive language study abroad options. Students do not need to stick with their major for a study abroad program. However, check whether program credits will transfer toward a degree.

Spending a full year studying abroad offers an amazing gap year experience. Unfortunately, it can come with a high price tag. Consider saving money to study abroad or researching programs with more affordable rates.

An Open Doors Report shows that popular study abroad countries for U.S. students include the UK, Italy, and Spain. Outside of Europe, students travel to China, Australia, and Japan. See the full top-ten list below.

The most popular countries offer many experiences, including studying in historic cities and adventuring. Students gain an appreciation for art, culture, and history in these countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic placed restrictions on some college gap year options. Traveling abroad became more difficult, as many countries limited entry options to prevent the virus’s spread. Even so, an increased number of students took a gap year starting in Fall 2020. In fact, 40% of incoming college students considered taking a gap year.

Instead of international travel or gap year programs, many students pursued local or remote options. Many organizations relied on volunteers to provide much-needed services during the pandemic. Some employers hired gap year students for diverse roles.