IVHQ and Intern Abroad HQ offer gap year programs in more than 40 countries, with 300+ volunteer projects and 150+ career-focused internships starting at £15 per day. Choose from teaching, wildlife conservation, medical placements, community development and more across Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, the Pacific and the Middle East.
More than 159,000 participants have traveled with IVHQ since 2007. Programs run year-round with flexible durations from 1 week to 6 months, so you can build a gap year that fits your schedule and budget. Our affordable gap year programs include accommodation, meals (varies by destination), airport pickup, in-country orientation and 24/7 support.
You can volunteer abroad, intern abroad, intern remotely or combine all three to create a gap year that covers travel, career experience and giving back. Gap years are popular after high school and college, but many people also take them as a career break or during retirement.
Explore gap year programs
- What are the best gap year organizations?
- Best gap year programs after high school & college
- Best Europe gap year programs
- Best Africa gap year programs
- Best Pacific & Asia gap year programs
- Best Latin America gap year programs
- Gap year ideas for 2026 & 2027
- How to plan your gap year step by step
- Gap year alternatives to going abroad
- Does taking a gap year make you more employable?
- How to prepare for your gap year
- Webinar: Making the most of your gap year with IVHQ & Intern Abroad HQ
What are the best gap year organizations?
The best gap year organizations offer affordable programs, flexible booking, a wide range of destinations and strong in-country support. IVHQ is rated the #1 volunteer abroad provider by Go Overseas for six years running and is a certified B Corporation held to the highest ethical and transparency standards in the industry:
- The most affordable gap year programs, starting at £15 per day
- Trusted by more than 159,000 program participants since 2007
- More programs open than any other provider: 40+ countries, 150+ career-focused internships and 300+ volunteer projects to choose from
- Flexible booking policy makes changing plans easy
- Mix and match volunteering, interning and remote internships
- Opportunity to gain academic credit and an international reference to boost your resume
- Expert guidance, ongoing support and guaranteed placement in your chosen field
- Transparent, responsible and held to the highest ethical standards as a certified B Corporation
- Discounted online TEFL and virtual volunteering course to help you prepare
- Get personalized gap year recommendations from our Gap Year Planners
Looking for a gap year plan to suit your schedule and budget? Get in touch with our team of highly experienced Gap Year Planners, so that we can provide you with personalized program recommendations based on your travel goals, life ambitions and the causes you care about.
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Best gap year programs after high school & college
A gap year after high school gives you real-world experience before you start college. You'll build independence, gain perspective and return with skills that set you apart in applications and interviews. Research from the Gap Year Association shows that students who take a gap year report higher GPAs and greater career satisfaction than peers who went straight to college.
IVHQ programs accept participants from age 16 with no prior experience. Popular first-time gap year projects include teaching English, childcare, community development and wildlife conservation. If you're looking for career-focused experience, Intern Abroad HQ offers internships in health sciences, business, environmental sciences, creative arts and STEM for participants aged 18 and over.
For those interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, we have a wide range of medical gap year volunteer programs and medical internships available. We also offer gap year volunteer programs and internships for teens, high school students and under 18s.
Browse by project type or your area of study below and get inspired!
Explore volunteer project highlights
Discover internship program highlights
Best Europe gap year programs
Taking a gap year in Europe is a meaningful way to explore some of the greatest art, culture and cuisines of the world, while living like a local and making a genuine impact. Gap year programs in Europe range from volunteering with refugees and the homeless to internships in sustainable tourism, cultural arts and more.
Gap year volunteering in Europe
Gap year internships in Europe
Best Africa gap year programs
Taking a gap year in Africa is guaranteed to change your worldview, push you out of your comfort zone and give you a life changing experience. Gap year programs in Africa range from building schools and conserving native wildlife to women’s education and medical internships.
Gap year volunteering in Africa
Gap year internships in Africa
Best Pacific & Asia gap year programs
Taking a gap year in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Asia is an excellent way to immerse yourself in diverse new cultures, learn invaluable life skills and discover the charming locals and delicious cuisines these regions have to offer. Gap year programs in Asia-Pacific range from teaching English and turtle conservation to marketing and fashion internships.
Gap year volunteering in Asia-Pacific
Gap year internships in Asia-Pacific
Best Latin America gap year programs
Taking a gap year in South America, Central America and the Caribbean is a unique opportunity to explore stunning landscapes and travel in a regenerative and meaningful way, while giving back to local communities. Gap year programs in Latin America range from community development and volunteering with animals to youth development and psychology internships.
Gap year volunteering in Latin America
Gap year internships in Latin America
Gap year ideas for 2026 & 2027
Not sure where to start? Here are five gap year ideas based on what IVHQ participants book most:
Travel and volunteer across multiple countries
Start in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia), move to a wildlife project in South Africa and finish with a community project in Costa Rica. IVHQ's flexible booking means you can register for each program separately and build your own route.
Combine volunteering with an internship
Volunteer on a marine conservation project in Fiji for four weeks, then complete a remote internship in environmental science from home. You'll gain both field experience and professional references.
Take a gap year focused on your career
Intern Abroad HQ offers placements in health sciences, business, STEM and creative arts in countries like Australia, Costa Rica and South Africa. Add an online TEFL course and you'll have a teaching qualification too.
Do a gap year with a friend or group
IVHQ programs welcome pairs and small groups. You'll share accommodation and orientation and can join the same or different projects at the same destination.
Earn academic credit while traveling
Both IVHQ and Intern Abroad HQ offer academic credit through accredited partners. You can earn up to 16 credits, making your gap year count toward your degree.
Back to topGap year alternative to going abroad
Not looking to go abroad? We offer plenty of gap year opportunities that don't require travel by getting stuck into a remote internship from your laptop! Through interning remotely with an organisation abroad, you'll quickly discover that you can still be immersed in new cultures without going overseas.
Remote gap year internships
Launch your global career from your laptop - wherever you are in the world! Intern Abroad HQ's remote internships enable you to gain international experience from home or while travelling. Choose your own hours, start when you want and make an impact on real world projects within startups, NGOs and other innovative organisations around the globe.
Explore gap year internshipsHow to plan your gap year step by step
- Decide what you want from your gap year. Volunteering, interning or both? One country or several? One week or six months?
- Set your budget. IVHQ programs start at £15 per day plus a one-time registration fee ($329-$449). Use the interest-free payment plan to spread the cost over 2, 4 or 5 installments.
- Choose your destinations and projects. Browse 40+ countries and 300+ projects on IVHQ. If you want an internship, check Intern Abroad HQ for 150+ placements.
- Register online. Pick your start date and duration. You can change your dates or destination for free up to 14 days before you start (Base registration) or 30 days (Smart and Flexi).
- Prepare. Your program coordinator will send you a step-by-step pre-departure guide covering visas, vaccinations, packing and what to expect on arrival. Your IVHQ Program Manager will confirm your airport pickup and orientation details.
- Go. Arrive at your destination, meet your Program Manager and start your program.
Does taking a gap year make you more employable?
Research shows that students who take a gap year get better grades with the positive effects lasting over the entire four years of college! And it's not just academic performance that improves: 98% of students said their gap year helped them develop as a person and 96% agreed their self-confidence increased.
Employers favor applicants who have spent some time living or working with people from other countries. Completing an overseas internship, volunteer experience or remote internship is an exciting way to do this as it demonstrates leadership, teamwork and the ability to work well in a cross-cultural setting. These transferable skills are seen as highly valuable. You can even gain college credit when you volunteer or intern abroad on one of our programs - making it an affordable option for building credit.
How to prepare for your gap year
With the support of our experienced IVHQ Program Managers and specialized preparation tools, we ensure you are well equipped to get the most out of your gap year experience. We also offer exclusive discounts on online courses which are popular with gap year program participants looking to upskill before travelling abroad. These discounted online courses can also be taken independently - you don't need to be travelling abroad to get the certifications!
Online TEFL course
Taking an online TEFL course enables you to build confidence as a teacher, learn new skills, enhance your employability, prep for future adventures or even start a side hustle from home! IVHQ offers instant access to a specialized online TEFL course at a discounted rate.
Virtual volunteering course
The Certificate in International Volunteering is a three hour virtual volunteering course from the Global Travel Academy. Join travel gurus as they journey through twelve counties to learn about volunteering best practice and how to handle real-life challenges on the road.
Webinar: Making the most of your gap year with IVHQ & Intern Abroad HQ
Need help planning your gap year? Watch this webinar replay where we walk you through how to make the most of your gap year through a volunteer program or internship abroad.
FAQs
A gap year program is a structured break between high school and college, or between college and a career, where you travel abroad to volunteer, intern or both. IVHQ and Intern Abroad HQ offer gap year programs in 40+ countries with year-round start dates, flexible durations from 1 week to 6 months and fees starting at $20 per day.
The best gap year programs after high school combine meaningful experience with flexibility and affordability. IVHQ offers 300+ volunteer projects across 40+ countries in areas like teaching, wildlife conservation and community development. Intern Abroad HQ adds 150+ career-focused internships. Both accept participants from age 16 (volunteering) or 18 (internships) with no experience required.
IVHQ gap year programs start at $20 per day. You pay a one-time registration fee ($329 Base, $359 Smart or $449 Flexi) plus a program fee that varies by destination and duration. For example, a 4-week program in Bali starts at around $455. Interest-free payment plans are available in 2, 4 or 5 installments.
Yes. IVHQ and Intern Abroad HQ are sister organizations, so you can volunteer in one country and intern in another on the same gap year. You can also add a remote internship or an online TEFL course between in-country programs.
Yes. Both IVHQ and Intern Abroad HQ offer academic credit through accredited partners. You can earn up to 16 credits and receive an official transcript. This is available on volunteer programs and internships. All participants also receive a certificate of completion and can request an international reference.
Every program includes pre-departure support, airport pickup, in-country orientation, accommodation and 24/7 emergency support. Your IVHQ Program Manager is your local contact throughout the program. IVHQ also provides travel guides, packing lists and visa guidance for each destination.
Start by choosing your destinations and program types (volunteering, interning or both). IVHQ programs have year-round start dates and durations from 1 to 24 weeks, so you can build a gap year itinerary that fits your timeline. Register online and your program coordinator will help you prepare with a step-by-step pre-departure guide.
IVHQ is a certified B Corporation with dedicated health and safety protocols, including accommodation and project assessments, risk management procedures and 24/7 emergency support. Your IVHQ Program Manager is on the ground in every destination.
