Gap Year and Pre-College Programs Abroad

Gap year and pre-college programs taking various forms are now increasingly common and perceived as invaluable by many prestigious academic institutions in motivating students to expand their experience and horizons. Numerous gap year programs are taken after high school graduation. Some gap year programs for high school students take place throughout the summer before beginning college as a form of preparation. The advantages of taking a gap year before and during college are now well-documented by the American Gap Association.

Students may engage in language learning, academic subjects, work, volunteer, enjoy learning adventures, or participate in exchange programs from reputable organizations.

Most students return from such an experience abroad changed and highly motivated to learn. A greater clarity regarding educational goals is standard for students after such experiences in entirely new surroundings while involved in new or intensive activities.

Where There Be Dragons Summer & Semester (Gap Year and College Study Abroad) Programs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America Mapmakers once drew Dragons to represent lands unknown. Those who ventured beyond the map's edge were said to go, "Where There Be Dragons." At Dragons, we learn by doing. We travel like locals, live with families, apprentice with artists, and learn from scholars, sages, and community leaders. We access phenomenal beauty, engage deeply with local communities, and ignite our own curiosity. THE LEADER IN CROSS-CULTURAL + EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION SINCE 1993. Visit our website to learn more.

ARCC Gap Semester Programs Live, Work, Learn and Explore ARCC Gap Semester offers an educational and cultural bridge between high school and college. The ARCC Gap Semesters are an opportunity to live, work, learn, and explore in some of the greatest classrooms on earth. On an ARCC Gap Semester, students immerse themselves in the culture through homestays, service work, teaching, and exchange. ARCC offers semesters in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Global Routes Your Journey Starts Here Global Routes is a pioneer in value-driven, experiential-based, international programming. Since 1967, they have led over 10,000 students around the globe on meaningful, fun, and growth-oriented summer programs. We offer our students an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves into small rural communities, develop long-lasting cross-cultural relationships, and make positive contributions that will last a lifetime. Gap Year programs for High School students and teens include many countries worldwide.

Abbey Road High School Western Civilization History Program
This program is a unique educational journey in time that allows our students to explore first-hand the origins of Western Civilization, political thought, history, culture, and art, starting with Ancient Greece (Athens), to Ancient Rome (Rome), to the Renaissance (Florence) and the French Enlightenment (Paris).
Students will stay in centrally located 3-star hotels, sample authentic local cuisine, participate in discussions with their instructors and peers, and have a wonderful time traveling and making new friends. We utilize a unique educational method, emphasizing experiential, hands-on learning and a great balance between safety, supervision, and freedom for our students.

CIEE: Gap Year Abroad Programs for High School Graduates
Gap Year Abroad with CIEE offers college-bound high school graduates an opportunity to acquire a broader global perspective, foster independence, and gain self-knowledge in nine countries. Our programs provide accelerated language growth through classes and immersion into a foreign community, the opportunity to live with a host family and experience abroad participating in organized volunteer work in the local community. The CIEE program includes day and weekend excursions of cultural and historical importance that will provide an important dimension to understanding the host country.

Gapforce
Gap Year Programs
Gapforce recruits volunteers for conservation and other projects worldwide, including marine conservation in the Bahamas and Fiji for up to 6 months; combined community service and adventure programs in India, Nepal, Ecuador, and Brazil; and internships in Spain.

El Casal
Gap Year in Barcelona
El Casal seeks to provide a challenging and rewarding atmosphere for personal and intellectual growth in a program for young people taking time off between high school and college. The program strives to develop creative and critical thinking, tolerance, self-confidence, and a deep appreciation of the host culture.

GVI
High School Study Abroad Service Learning Programs
GVI’s Study Abroad Service Learning Courses take classroom research and curriculum learning and introduce those theories into real-life services. All the work performed benefits the local community or environment, and these real-life experiences enhance students’ academic studies and increase their personal growth and interpersonal skills. Emphasis will be placed on relating our long-term goals with the UN's Responsible Development Goals and engaging in daily reflection surrounding the experience. Qualified group facilitators lead all our Service Learning Courses, allowing students to gain increased cross-cultural awareness and understanding.
Educational Pre-College Programs Abroad
GVI’s Educational Pre-College Programs Abroad allow students to engage in educational pre-college programs abroad. These valuable programs take learning outside the classroom and into actual life services. All the work performed benefits the local community or environment, and these real-life experiences enhance students’ academic studies and increase their personal growth and interpersonal skills. Our programs help young adults better understand the world and are also seen by universities and employers as something that sets the individual apart from other applicants. Qualified group facilitators lead all our courses, allowing students to gain increased cross-cultural awareness and understanding.

ISA (International Studies Abroad): Gap Year Experiences
Programs include gap year experiences in France, Italy, Spain, the U.K., the Czech Republic, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, and Morocco. There are a few exceptions that do require college time.

Outward Bound Costa Rica
Outdoor Adventure Programs in Costa Rica and Panama for Gap-year and High School Students
Students ages 14+ can join us for a summer course, or students ages 17+ for a gap year or semester abroad, challenging themselves through outdoor adventure activities and service learning projects in Costa Rica and Panama. Outward Bound courses also teach its participants to develop leadership skills, focusing on character development, compassion for the environment, and team building.

Putney Student Travel
Pre-College London
Join us in London for an insider’s experience of England on this Pre-College summer program for high school students. Broaden your horizons and prepare for college with in-depth, field-based seminars as you become part of an inspiring and supportive community of staff and students from around the world.
Our London campus is situated in the heart of the city, with easy access to many of its most famous landmarks, and ideally located for day trips to the surrounding countryside.
Pre-College Barcelona
Join us in Barcelona for an insider’s experience of Spain on this Pre-College summer program for high school students. Broaden your horizons and prepare for college with in-depth, field-based seminars as you become part of an inspiring and supportive community of staff and students from around the world.
Our Barcelona campus is a private residence hall steps from the beautiful Born district and a short walk from the beach.

The School for Field Studies
The organization offers a wide variety of programs in environmental studies in Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Kenya, Panama, Peru, Tanzania, and Turks & Caicos.

SEA Semester for Gap Year Students
Summer field programs in marine and environmental studies are available to high school graduates seeking a gap experience.

United Planet: Gap Year Volunteering Programs
United Planet offers tailored virtual gap year, volunteer, and internship programs abroad.