Top 10 Affordable Gap Year Programs After High School

After graduating from high school, it’s common for students to feel lost. After months of arduous study and several deadlines, students’ decision to take a break has proven to be beneficial. Since everyone around them could be going to college, taking a gap year can be extremely scary for them at first. While taking a gap year can equip them for forthcoming problems and benefit them in having a pragmatic outlook on life, the same time can be used to enrol in a gap year program which is sure to help the students in many big and small ways. 

Different types of gap year programs exist that might aid students in developing and choosing their career pathways. Choosing between a full-year program or two or three shorter programs is entirely up to the students. The choice is significant and needs to be made after careful consideration. In this post, we’ll discuss the qualities to look for before choosing a course as well as the affordable options available to you after high school.

Gap year programs: Features a student must look for

While gap years can be frustrating, one can channel these negative feelings into something much more productive. Opting for a gap year program can be of utmost importance, but only if chosen wisely. Here are some of the features students must look out for a while choosing a gap year program for themselves:

1. If fostering interest: A gap year program will unquestionably foster students’ global curiosity and equip them for all the adventures that lie ahead. While considering your possibilities for graduate study, the program will assist in creating a distinctive résumé.

2. Available Choices: Research all of the options in your field of interest before settling on a subject to which you are prepared to devote four years. Gap-year programs will help you do this. Programs connected to service, academics, or immersion are all options, as well as programs that combine all three.

3. Price: Each item has a set spending limit. One should consider their budgetary needs before picking which course to take. Despite being a significant concern, there are many free gap-year programs accessible, and students can always seek scholarships for the same, so it shouldn’t be a deterrent for them.

4. Reviews and information available: It is crucial to make sure that the website has all the data a student would need. They ought to read reviews of both the program and the institution offering it. If at all possible, speaking with former students would be a fantastic choice. Students will be able to obtain letters of recommendation for their future chances, thanks to a large network of alumni.

5. Kind of assistance: A gap-year program must have faculty on hand to answer questions and provide sound advice. A student must confirm their availability before enrolling in any course. A supportive yet competitive environment will undoubtedly help a person develop their skills and advance.

Affordable gap year programs after high school

Knowing the features and liking, students opting for a gap year can choose an affordable course that uplifts their skills. It is an investment that will show its profits for a lifetime. The various paid gap-year programs are listed below:

1. Spain’s Centro MundoLengua

In the historic city of Seville, Spain, Centro MundoLengua is prepared to provide the students with an immersive language and cultural gap year. There will be a variety of social and cultural events, including Salsa workshops, city-wide bike excursions, and kayaking trips along the Guadalquivir River. The students will learn about Spain’s social, economic, and political history and will have the opportunity to volunteer in the local area.

The fee to enrol in the program is 7,390.00 euros for the autumn semester (September to December) and 7,620.00 euros for the spring semester (January to March). The program’s level is for advanced beginners in Spanish. You need to have a valid passport and student visa before getting enrolled in the course. 

The price of the program includes transportation to and from the airport and ongoing guidance throughout the course. It also includes 40 hours of private Spanish instruction, a Sevilla orientation walk, leisure time activities, excursions on 2 weekends, and community service projects. The institute will provide accommodation along with a homestay with the family. 

2. Pacific Discovery

The gap year programs at Pacific Discovery combine meaningful and demanding travel experiences along with an emphasis on sustainability and travel ethics. The institute even has provisions for transferable academic credit. The two aims of the program include gaining knowledge about the subjects of the region and providing a framework for the individuals to find themselves. 

There are various short-term programs provided by Pacific Discovery, and one among them is the Southeast Asian gap year semester. The places associated with the program are Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The program is for 10 weeks, and the fee is $13,750 USD. Students can take admissions in the Fall or Spring. 

The program includes transportation costs, the adventures, excursions, activities, entry fees, and transport, as specified in the itinerary. It will help the students to get a deeper knowledge of the beliefs, identities, passions, and purposes of the southeast Asia population. The experiential core curriculum encourages reflection and self-questioning. 

3. High Mountain Institute

If you are a wanderer, the program titled Adventure, Conservation, and Leadership in Wild Places provided by HMI is the gap-year program for you. The program will allow you to travel through inspiring places and develop your leadership skills along the way. Students get to investigate intricate cultural, environmental, and ecological issues in the places they travel through hands-on activities and fieldwork.

The duration of the course is 4-24 weeks and the fees start from $16,000 USD. Along with studying nature’s classroom, students can also get college credits through Portland State and Western Colorado Unversity. Their outdoor curriculum is designed to help students progress toward greatness and independence.

HMI has three popular programs- Traverse Semesters, Trek Semesters, and Rock Semesters. The program includes various activities. Whether the students are scaling famous sandstone towers in Utah, hiking through a stunning glacial valley in Patagonia, or rafting down the Futaleufu river, they are developing their leadership qualities. 

4. Art History Abroad in Italy

Art History Abroad will take you on a tour of Italy while you examine the politics, history, art, and culture of each city. The students will have an authentic experience and have a thorough grasp of Italy, its culture, and some of the greatest works of art that have emerged from the country at the end of the program. The program’s participants will be challenged to sharpen their creative thinking and acquire foreign experiences for a lifetime.

The course of 6 months in Italy. The starting cost of the program is $10,000 USD. The various programs associated with Art History Abroad are Autumn, Spring, Early Summer, and Late Summer programs.

The students will get to participate in practical workshops, see national historical sites, and enjoy regional cuisine, literature, and music. The focus of the program is mainly on the joy of creativity. Key highlights of the program are the highly enthusiastic teachers, the discovery of authentic Italy, and workshops on traditional crafts.

5. Sea|mester

The voyage course offered by Sea|mester is a perfect fit for all the water-born students who are all set to experience the challenges of the sea. Students can genuinely engage with their education in the Sea|mester setting by fusing academics and experience. The program will open the doors of exceptional learning for the students.

There are various voyage programs provided by Sea|mester for the gap-year students. The program is 20 days minimum and 90 days maximum. Students can get enrolled in either Summer, Fall, or Spring educational semesters. The program only requires willingness and an adventurous spirit. 

While studying abroad with Sea|mester provides an exceptional opportunity to travel the globe, experience new cultures, and embark on an unforgettable journey, the experience’s core is a rigorous academic program certified by the University of South Florida (USF). It brings your education to life by giving the information relevance and real-world applications.

6. International Volunteer HQ

International Volunteer HQ allows individuals to work and contribute to society. It is the lowest gap-year program that one can find. The program is an invigorating way to experience many cultures and make a difference while traveling. 

The institute provides for over 300 projects across 52 destinations. The cost of the program for the students is just $180 for a week. One can join a program for a minimum of 1 week and a maximum of 24 weeks.

The institute is B Corp certified for their reformative, responsible, and ethical work toward society. If a student is trying to find a community-based volunteer program and travel along with it, the program is best for them. The projects range from teaching, medical and health, wildlife and animal care, to child care among others. 

7. Costa Rica Dive Instructure Training by gapFORCE

A student could become a PADI open water Scuba Instructor by enrolling in gapFORCE’s Costa Rica Dive Instructure Training. Additionally, it would improve their resort management and expedition leadership abilities. The students receive training to oversee initiatives for marine conservation.

The course lasts for ten weeks. The student will only have to pay $12,950 for it. Before starting the program, students must obtain the PADI Advanced Open Water certification and be told the PADI Open Water certification for at least six months before leaving. Even so, they must have documented at least 30 dives.

Students interested in becoming dive instructors or resort management trainers are most suited for the program. The candidates would be given some time to check out the beaches, volcanoes, and cultural spas.

8. Youth International

Since 1997, Youth International has been taking groups on educational excursions abroad. The organization offers single-country programs that last around one month. The students will between the ages of 18 and 25 get an opportunity to travel to either Nepal, Kenya, Ecuador (including the Galapagos Islands), or India in order to study the local cultures.

The fee of the program varies from country to country. For Kenya, the program fee is $5500 while for Nepal, it is $4950. Every year, trips start in late November and end in late April. The trips are biennial in nature.

Authentic international travel, cross-cultural interactions, the house stays, volunteer work, and outdoor expeditions are all included in the Youth International program, which emphasises active learning. They prepare the students for an intense and exciting first-hand education about the place they are visiting through a well-balanced blend of experiences. The students are also given a special setting for self-discovery at the same time.

9. Warriors Academy Gap Year Program in South Africa

The top gap-year program in South Africa is Warriors Academy. They have been around for 16 years and do top-notch work. Even the International Gap Year Association has acknowledged them.

The curriculum lasts for seven weeks. The program costs $5000 in total. It is a community-driven program that aims to increase students’ environmental awareness. Even workshops on entrepreneurship are included.

The program has been many young adults’ impetus for pursuing their aspirations and objectives. Warriors Academy’s Gap Year Program is geared toward giving students the tools they need to thrive in college, the workplace, and life in general. An organized, secure, and well-planned itinerary is used to accomplish this.

10. Seychelles Island Conservation Program by gapFORCE

Visit the barren, remote Curieuse Island and join one of the leading Seychelles organizations that are gathering data on the marine and terrestrial environment. Living in some of the most stunning settings on earth and working with exotic flora and animals are both opportunities provided by the program. Threatened species like the hawksbill turtle will benefit from the students’ assistance in ensuring their long-term survival.

The program has a £3445 price tag. You will have the experience of a lifetime when the program is finished in 4 weeks. The only requirements are a minimum age of 18, zeal, and a willingness to get your hands filthy.

Participate in significant research projects inside Seychelles National Park and support the creation of conservation guidelines. The curriculum is designed for people who enjoy animals, adventure, and far-off places. The island conservation team members will keep an eye on the students.

Conclusion

The finest thing a student can do after graduating from high school is unquestionably a gap year program. There are numerous options to look around and locate the job. It is preferable to spend a year figuring out what suits your personality before devoting four years to higher education. Similar to a summer internship program, a gap year program offers students a lot of chances.