Gap Year Programs

A “Gap Year” is an intentional decision to take time off between graduating high school and beginning in college or a career. It is recommended that a student considering this experience still apply to college as a senior and then defer their admission if they choose to take time off. Programs range in length from a few weeks, to a full semester, to a full year. Many students, if taking a whole year off, combine several shorter programs or experiences to cover the year. Reasons to pursue a Gap Year range from wanting to test out an intended major or career before investing in four years of college to wanting to
reignite a passion for the next steps through connecting education to real-world experience. Programs vary widely in cost, but financial aid is sometimes available. Some programs are similar to “study abroad” experiences, whereas others are specifically focused on language immersion, community service, or wilderness exploration.Information on just a few of the thousands of programs is listed below according to general category.

Companies that offer search services to help students set up a Gap Year

Center for Interim Programs, LLC
Database of over 5,000 opportunties, scholarships.
Jane Sarouhan, Vice President, Massachusetts Office,
413-585-0980, info@interimprograms.com

TeenLife
Free comprehensive guide to Gap Year Programs
Marie Schwartz
617-277-5120, info@teenlife.com

Gap Year Programs

ARTS/MUSIC

Art History Abroad
Semester, 6 week, or summer programs in London, Paris, and Italy, studying art and architecture.

Bel Camino Semester in Siena
3-month immersion in the language, culture, and landscape of Italy. Includes homestay, weekly yoga and cultural
excursions, museum visits, Italian language instruction, and week-long hike along pilgrimage route.

Up with People
Travel with group to multiple continents for one semester or one year, staying with host families and performing in a musical show and participating in community service. Opportunities to earn college credit.
303-460-7100, info@upwithpeople.org

CULTURAL IMMERSION

Adventures Cross-Country
Traditional Gap Semester programs, Language and Service Programs, Community Service Programs, and Multisport Adventures.

AspireByapi
Semester or year. Programs in France, Ireland,Italy, and Spain. College credit available.
877-600-8977

Carpe Diem Education
Semester or year. Year includes group semester plus a tailored volunteer placement. Programs in India, Central America,
South America, Indigenous America (Navajo and Hopi Nations), Southeast Asia, SouthPacific, East Africa, and Brazil. College credit and financial aid available through FAFSA.
877-285-1808.

CIEE
Semester and yearlong programs in Chile, China, Dominican Republic, France, Japan, and Spain. Programs involve homestays, language immersion, and community service

Map the Gap International
Language-learning and volunteer service gap year programs in Nicaragua, Mexico, and Italy. 12 week semesters
in fall and spring or 5 weeks in summer. Need-based scholarships available for Mexico and Nicaragua

SFYI International School Summer and semester programs in France, Spain, and South Africa. College credit available. 877-997-7686.

SYA Gap Year Vietnam
Semester or yearlong experience in Vietnam, learning culture and language, staying with a family, and participating in an internship or service learning project.

Where There Be Dragons
Semester long small group learning adventures in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. College credit available.

OUTDOOR/WILDERNESS

Adventures Cross-Country
Traditional Gap Semester programs, Language and Service Programs, Community Service Programs, and
Multisport Adventures. Programs in Alaska, Colorado/Utah, Costa Rica/Belize, and Southern Europe. Whitewater rafting, backpacking, sailing, scuba.

Hurricane Island Outward Bound School
Sailing, canoeing, and backpacking course expeditions from the Everglades and Florida Keys to Northwoods
and coastal islands of Maine. Spring and Fall semesters.

The National Outdoor Leadership School
Hands-on learning in the context of an extended expedition; sites throughout the world.

SeaMester
Experiential learning in ocean and earth sciences, watermanship skills, environmental projects aboard an ocean sailing vessel with land excursions. Routes throughout the world.

Study Abroad

AspireByapi
Summer, semester and year-long programs in Costa Rica, England, France, Ireland, Italy, and Spain. College credit available. Scholarships for students with a 3.25 GPA, essay, and financial hardship.

ISA Gap Year
Summer, semester, or year in accredited schools and universities throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

Oxford Advanced Studies Program
Summer, semester, or year. Study at Oxford University in England. Academic program with college credit and cultural activities.

SPI Study Abroad
Summer. Language immersion, homestay, potential college credit.

US Programs

Dynamy
Yearlong and semester internship opportunities. College credit available through partnership with Clark University in Worcester. Financial aid available
508-755-2571.

Woolman
Semester programs in Sierra Foothills, CA. Peace, justice, sustainability. Wilderness trip, service project, border trip, and food intensive.

Volunteering Abroad

Adventures Cross-Country
Traditional Gap Semester programs, Language and Service Programs, Community Service Programs, and
Multisport Adventures

Africa & Asia Venture
Volunteer projects in rural communities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America involving teaching, sports, coaching, and community work. 5-week to 5-month experiences.

Global Routes
Grassroots community development and homestays in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.
413-585-8895, mail@globalroutes.org

Projects Abroad
Summer, winter, and year-long volunteer and internship opportunities throughout the world in teaching, medicine, conservation, culture, journalism, veterinary medicine, sports, business, law & human rights, language,
and archaeology.

Rustic Pathways
Wide variety of travel and service programs from a few weeks, to a few months, to a full year. All over the world.

Thinking Beyond Borders
Full-year experiences in developing countries. Semester experiences in Ecuador or Thailand. Address critical
global issues through fieldwork, homestays, and academic study. Need-based financial aid available.

United Planet
Programs from 1 week to year-long in Europe, Latin America, Asia, Middle East, and the Pacific. Teaching, environmental, building homes and schools.

SCHOOL CLOSURE

School Building Closure Extended for Remainder of School Year

School Closure Information

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS
We have a form for families to submit questions that they have.

IF YOU HAVE A MORE PRESSING ISSUE
If there is something that you need a more rapid response to, please call our emergency number (781) 238-4674. Even though we are closed, we have staff checking this line frequently between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

This afternoon Governor Baker has announced that Massachusetts Public School buildings will remain closed until next fall. We know that this announcement brings about a number of questions for our students and families. Please know that we have continued to develop a plan behind the scenes to help us address how we can support ongoing learning during this health crisis which has drastically altered life for all of us.

In regards to remote learning, Commissioner Riley is not following federal recommendations to push forward in state curricula. The priority in Massachusetts will continue to be on connecting with students and deepening our instruction on standards that have already been covered. The state will publish more guidance at the end of the week to identify a few "essential or power standards" at each grade level. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education wants to ensure students have familiarity with these standards by the end of the year, if they have not covered this material already.

In Burlington, we will continue with our current remote learning plan from now until May 8. We expect to have some modifications from May 8 through the remainder of the school closure to ensure that all of our students have an opportunity to cover and/or review the essential standards coming from the state later this week.

Finally, we know there will continue to be questions about end-of-year activities for high school seniors and other annual transition activities for both middle and elementary students. Please know that we are working on resolutions for all of these situations and that we will continue to share plans as they are finalized.