I'm thinking about traveling abroad for my gap year and want to know if there are structured programs to help with the planning. Any suggestions or advice on finding reputable gap year travel programs would be awesome!
Absolutely, there are quite a few structured gap year travel programs out there. Each has unique focus areas, fosters different skills, and offers different travel destinations. But here are few options that might interest you:
1. Global Citizen Year: This is a fellowship program for students interested in volunteer work, where students live with host families in Brazil, Ecuador, Senegal, or India. This program offers intensive language training and apprenticeships in fields from education to sustainability.
2. Youth For Understanding (YFU): YFU provides exchange programs in over 60 countries. Participants can choose to stay with host families and attend local schools, learning about the culture first-hand.
3. Thinking Beyond Borders: This organization offers multiple gap year programs that focus on various global issues. These programs involve travel to multiple countries and have an academic component, focusing on fieldwork, lectures, and readings.
4. Where There Be Dragons: Where There Be Dragons offers gap year programs that focus on immersive cultural experiences. These programs are centered on themes like language study, home-stays, trekking, and service learning.
5. Rustic Pathways: It provides service-oriented gap year experiences, usually running in locations around Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
As you're looking into these programs, consider important factors like affordability, languages offered, duration, safety, and whether you're interested in service, learning, or both. Remember to read reviews from past participants and make sure the program is accredited by the Gap Year Association, which ensures a certain standard of safety and quality. Do your research, and consider your interests, budget, and comfort level with foreign travel before you make your decision.
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