LATEST NEWS

  • CONTACT
  • 0161 870 6212
  • 1.413.517.0266

What to Do on a Gap Year

If you’re wondering what to do on a gap year, why not learn how to make authentic Thai food, dance “Genna Bounce” in Jamaica, or care for capybaras in the Ecuadorian Amazon? If you’re ready for an adventure, read on!

Not Sure What to Do on a Gap Year?

In our humble opinion, the best gap year programs help you explore the world on a deeper level and truly immerse in new cultures and places. If you’re wondering what to do on a gap year, why not consult the experts? We know how to design action-packed, unique programs that help participants explore their interests and get exposed to new ideas. So if you’re just not sure where to begin, here are some great gap year options!

Thailand Culture and Service Gap Year

What can you do on a 6 week gap year program in Thailand? Learn how to cook an authentic Thai dish, experience a Buddhist meditation retreat, visit the gorgeous Surin Sulands and learn from the Moken people, stand under the canopy of a 20 million year old rainforest, walk with elephants at an elephant sanctuary, and that’s just the beginning! Travel the length of Thailand to immerse in local culture, participate in volunteer activities and explore the magnificent landscape from the southern islands to the northern mountains! You’ll travel with a small, tested “pod” to reduce risk of Covid-19 exposure.

To learn more about the details of this trip, visit our project page today, or talk to one of our friendly Placement Advisors!

Jamaica Culture and Community Gap Year

What can you do on a gap year in Jamaica? What about experience sunny Jamaica in full on a 3+ week program that combines cultural immersion and community service? Learn popular dances from locals like “Lebeh Lebeh” and “Genna Bounce” and unearth the secrets of Jamaican food (hint: it’s in the spices!). Meanwhile, assist a local kindergarten teacher and help teach basic Math, Art, English, Drama and/or Sports Coaching, and, if you want to, volunteer in the community on a women’s empowerment project, or help with local environmental conservation initiatives.

You’ll certainly have the experience of a lifetime and get to know Jamaica on a whole new level! Learn more about what you can do on this gap year program by visiting our project page, or chat with us today!

Ecuador Wildlife Conservation Gap Year

And what can you do on a gap year in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest? On this 3-12 week wildlife conservation gap year, you can dive deep into the biodiversity of Ecuador! Become a part of a team at an animal sanctuary that rescues and rehabilitates abandoned or trafficked animals with the ultimate goal of releasing them back into the wild. Work with and learn from parrots, monkeys, turtles, wild cats, capybaras, caymans, and so much more, and have the chance to get to know animal care experts! While you’re there, you’ll get to know local ecosystems and landscapes, enjoy the views and trek through the rainforest. For anyone looking for a truly unique experience, you really can’t beat this!

To learn more about what you can do on our gap year program in Ecuador, visit our project page or reach out today!

Still Not Sure What to Do on a Gap Year?

Here at Kaya, you’re always free to design your own gap year program with us. That way, you can tailor your program to what you want to do. You could explore potential professions with an international internship or volunteer abroad in a field or location you’re interested in. Or, you could travel around a region and add Kaya programs to your itinerary. Basically, for your gap year, the sky really is the limit! And bonus: If you design your own gap year program, start dates are rolling and flexible, and we can work with you if you have a specific budget. So reach out today for more information!

And if you’re still not sure if a gap year is right for you, check out or blog, Should I Take a Gap Year?

To learn more about our gap year programs, connect with one of our Placement Advisors by using the chat now feature or requesting a brochure. We can’t wait to help you!

READ MORE POSTS

Internship Awareness Month Special Offer – Claim $150 off ANY Kaya Placement before April 30th

In celebration of Internship Awareness Month, now through April 30th we're offering $150 off all placements 6 weeks or longer in 2024.How to claim your discount It's SUPER easy. All you have to do is find one of our internship or volunteer placements that matches up...

Featured Participant Story: Namibia

Elephant & Community Water Access Volunteering in Namibia In 2021, I was fortunate enough to participate on a program with Kaya Responsible Travel, working with a nonprofit that tracks elephant activity along the Ugab River in Namibia, Africa. Since I was young, I...

Kaya Intern, Emma, Featured in Popular Vietnamese Podcast

This past summer, one of our NGO marketing interns in Vietnam was featured on a popular Vietnamese podcast discussing her internship and time abroad!Emma Discusses Mental Health, Marketing Internship, and Her Time in Vietnam One of Kaya’s Interns recently had the...

Kaya wins BEST Ethical, Responsible, Sustainable Tourism Award

And the winner of the BEST Ethical, Responsible, Sustainable Tourism Award 2023 is…Kaya Responsible Travel!Award winners! When they made this announcement at the British Youth Travel Awards this week, the Kaya team went wild! To be recognized within the travel...

Pronouns and Inclusivity

Why have people started sharing their pronouns? You may have noticed, more and more, that people have started to share their pronouns in their email communications, in their introductions and even in conversation. But what is this all about and what is it trying to...

UN Sustainable Development Goals in International Education

Are you ready to dive into a world where you can make a real difference? At Kaya, we work to put sustainable travel at the heart of our work in International Education. As part of our mission, we recognize the work of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals...