Is a gap program after high school right for you? Parents, teens, and educators can't say enough about the benefits of taking a gap year before college. Study abroad gap years are common, but work experience programs and gap years in America are growing in popularity. A life-changing gap year experience can be the answer for a teen who asks, "What should I do after high school?" Learning a new language, volunteering in another country, earning college credit while studying abroad, and more—there are hundreds of gap year programs for teens out there.
How Do I Pick a Gap Year Program?
So, with all the gap year options for teens out there, how do you choose a gap year program? You’ll need to narrow down the choices in teen gap year programs by deciding what you want from the program. If you’re looking for gap year traveling programs, you’ll have different requirements than if you want a volunteering gap year program.
If earning college credit from a study abroad gap year program, you should ensure that the credits can transfer to the college, university, or other institution if you plan to attend one in the future. Look for accredited gap year programs to make this an easier process.
Not all gap year programs actually last an academic year. Students can choose to attend a summer or semester gap year program designed for students 18 and over. With so many programs out there, do your research to find the best gap year program for you. Gap year alumni are among the best references!
Featured Gap Year Programs For Teens
Your request will be sent directly to
Andrew Meyers,
Co-Director and Founder,
at
Living City Project.
CityGAP is an outdoor, NYC-based, experiential program for students 18-22. We engage with New York as a classroom, laboratory, studio and community, wrestling with urgent challenges facing the ... (more)
Your request will be sent directly to
Courtney Link,
Director,
at
API Abroad.
API Abroad provides comprehensive gap year abroad programs for recent high school graduates. Our language and cultural immersion programs and international internship programs provide students ... (more)
We create inclusive communities and schools that recognize and develop the unique gifts and capacities of each individual through artistic expression, sustainable agriculture, and a ... (more)
Semester at Sea introduces undergraduate students to global and comparative studies by focusing on structural and social changes taking place in the world today. (more)
Experience the world and discover your passions with EF Gap Year. Visit 10+ countries, improve your language skills, make an impact, and intern abroad. Build ... (more)
Carpe Diem Education offers expertly designed semester and year-long gap programs in Italy & Greece, Spain & Morocco, Hawai'i, the South Pacific, Central America, South ... (more)
Your request will be sent directly to
Tom Bergeron,
Guide,
at
InventiveLabs.
InventiveLabs is founded on the principle that people with ADHD, dyslexia or on the autism spectrum are powerful, unique thinkers who will excel in an ... (more)
Parzival Academy offers young adults the opportunity to discover more of who they are, connect to their values and purpose, envision what's possible, and create ... (more)
Alzar Gap provides high school graduates with life-changing semesters in awe-inspiring natural destinations. Develop real-world leadership skills through diverse cultural exchange across Patagonia and the ... (more)
Your request will be sent directly to
Masa Israel Info
at
Masa Israel Journey.
Masa Israel Journey Gap Year Programs offers college-bound high school graduates the opportunity to experience another culture while volunteering, interning, studying, developing Jewish identity, and ... (more)
Your request will be sent directly to
Alex George
at
Deer Hill Expeditions.
Deer Hill created the Gap Year to allow participants to be fully immersed in the Southwest landscapes by discovering the mountains, canyons, rivers and people ... (more)
The GAP Year at SOAR is designed for young adults with ADHD and LD (learning disabilities) and specializes in a unique combination of independence, adventure, ... (more)
Your request will be sent directly to
Kai Johnson,
Director of Ingenuity Year,
at
Forman School.
Ingenuity Year is a gap semester program based in Coastal Maine and developed for students who want to take their learning out of the classroom and ... (more)
Montana Spring Roundup program provides students with an educational and professional leg up as well as a fun and fulfilling alternative to virtual classrooms. Based ... (more)
Our program is designed to provide hands on training and experience to those who want to work with the land. Whether it's through the conservation ... (more)
DownWest offers 14- to 34-day backpacking, hiking and biking gap and summer programs for 17-22 year olds in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Alaska, with a ... (more)
Ready to build self-confidence, problem-solving skills, and a global perspective? With Gap at CET, get top-tier language instruction and take your skills in Arabic, Chinese, ... (more)
Global Citizen Academy is a first-of-its-kind leadership experience equipping diverse high school grads worldwide with powerful and practical skills for a lifetime of social impact. ... (more)
THE ULTIMATE STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE Invest in your dreams. Achieve fluency, see the world, expand your international network – and launch your global future. Study ... (more)
This program explores the relationship between ancient Greek and modern-day practices via hands-on, experiential learning through excavating at Voula, Lab-work, engagement with new technologies, creating ... (more)
Your request will be sent directly to
Ivan Cestero,
Head of Experience Design,
at
MYX.
Travel, culture, self-discovery, connection. MYX is answering the call of students who understand that there is not only one path to the future. Our integrated ... (more)
There are a lot of gap year programs out there. Whether they last a year (or more) or for a semester, there is a gap program that fits every interest, need, and price. Check out our search function to see if you can narrow down the field based on your personal preferences and requirements!
Join TeenLife
TeenLife student, parent and educator members are the first to learn of new developments in the
world of experiential learning as well as receive special offers on programs and services that
are essential for teen success. Membership is free, so sign up today! Rest assured, we will not
rent or sell your contact information to anyone.
Login to TeenLife
Are you a teen, parent, or educator interested in becoming a member of TeenLife? Join here.Join here.
Are you an organization interested in listing on TeenLife? Start Here
Forgot password? Click here.
Welcome to the Family!
To help create a great TeenLife experience for you, we need to ask a couple more questions.
Then, we’ll take you right back where you started.
Welcome to the Family!
To help create a great TeenLife experience for you, we need to ask a couple more questions.
Then, we’ll take you right back where you started.
Watch Video
