Best travel groups for a gap year after high school?

I'm interested in connecting with other students who might take a gap year to travel. Are there specific travel groups or communities I should look into? Would love recommendations for making friends and exploring new places together.

Sure, there are several organizations that coordinate gap year programs designed specifically for high school graduates. It's great that you're open to exploring new places and making connections along the way, that's part of the essence of a gap year!

1. Global Citizen Year: Working in many countries across the globe including India, Brazil, Ecuador, and Senegal, this organization offers gap year programs that pair participants with a homestay family while they do apprenticeships in fields like health, education, business, and agriculture. It's a mixture of travel, cultural immersion, and service that many students find particularly meaningful.

2. Rustic Pathways: This organization offers several group travel programs throughout the year on every continent, focusing on leadership, service, and adventure.

3. Where There Be Dragons: This organization offers programs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America focused on community service, language learning, and independent study projects. Programs are typically 3 months long and students travel with a small group throughout their experience.

4. National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): NOLS offers wilderness expeditions ranging in length from a week to a full year. It's not a traditional travel program, but you would certainly be exploring new places and making friends with your classmates.

5. Gap Year Association: While not a travel group itself, the Gap Year Association can be a useful resource for researching and finding accredited gap year programs.

Remember to do your research before choosing a program to make sure it fits what you're looking for in terms of experiences, locations, and cost. Keep in mind that activities or projects that directly relate to your interests or future career aspirations can make your gap year more engaging and meaningful to you. Safe travels!