Information & Programs

Why Take a Gap Year

Students take gap years for many reasons: to travel, work, volunteer, or engage with other interests. Most students find their gap year to be a deeply enriching experience – an invaluable opportunity to expand their comfort zones, gain real-world experience, and take stock of their values and beliefs.

And while the change of structure and perspective that a gap year brings are worthwhile in and of themselves, studies indicate a bevy of positive correlations between taking a gap year and performance and satisfaction in the classroom, personal motivation and sense of purpose, and job satisfaction following graduation.

Interested in hearing about the experience from a Penn student? Read about Gap Year Experiences from recent Penn students.

Funding a Gap Year

Participating in a formal gap year program can be quite expensive (typically around $13K for a semester or upwards of $30K for a year-long program). Fortunately, there are many ways to make a gap year affordable. Many gap year programs offer financial aid and scholarships. (You can find a roundup of gap year scholarships and grant opportunities on external websites such as GoOverseas). Outside of formal gap year programs, many students work for part or all of their gap year. For some ideas, see the “Work, Volunteer, and Work Exchange” portion in the options list below.

Applying to Penn After a Gap Year

While most students who take a gap year do so after having been admitted to Penn, it’s perfectly acceptable to apply during or after a gap year. Students applying to Penn while on a gap year should follow the same process as any other applicant to Penn – the Penn Admissions website can be a helpful resource. However, keep in mind that the Admissions Committee will also be interested to understand how you have been spending your time while on your gap year, so don’t forget to include those activities and experiences in your application.

Penn Support

While Penn does not offer its own formal gap year program, on average, roughly 50 incoming Penn students take a gap year each year. Learn more about the procedure for getting a gap year approved under the admission approval information of our main resources section.

Penn Abroad also supports opportunities for students returning from a gap year to connect and build on their experience. Join Penn’s global community and review returnee information on our returnees resources page.

Gap Year Programs & Options

Here you will find several gap year providers that Penn students have utilized for their gap years. These gap year organizations, and others like them, put together year-long and semester-length programs abroad in all corners of the world. Participants benefit from the companionship of a cohort of other students, the organizations’ cultural knowledge and logistical legwork, and the structure of the programs’ formal and informal curricula. Programs vary in structure and cost. Read around each organization’s website for information on scholarships and financial aid.

Gap Year Provider Organizations

Tilting Futures

Tilting Futures offers Take Action Lab, a semester-long, immersive learning program where students learn how to create a meaningful impact on human rights issues in South Africa or on environment and sustainability issues in Malaysia. Students expand their global perspective and sense of purpose through research-backed curriculum, cultural immersion experiences, and apprenticeships with organizations advancing human rights and climate issues. They make friends and mentors for life and graduate into a community of changemakers from across the world. With Take Action Lab, students develop the skills, network, and insights they need to lead fulfilling lives that create positive change.

Where There Be Dragons

Where There Be Dragons organizes gap year and semester programs representing 6 continents, over 30 countries, and countless languages, villages, NGOs, religions, host families, perspectives, and stories. Its mission is to nurture empathy and understanding across borders through authentic cultural exchange. Dragons strives to help participants develop the self-awareness and cross-cultural competencies to be active participants in the world.

Work, Volunteer, and Work Exchange Opportunities

Outside of formal gap year programs, there are endless options for building your own gap year experience. But it’s likely that you’ll want to incorporate some aspect of work in your plans. Here are just a few resources to help you find opportunities for work – whether paid, voluntary, or in exchange for room and board.

City Year

City Year is an education nonprofit organization founded in 1988 dedicated to helping students and schools succeed. It is one of the participating organizations under AmeriCorps (see below). The organization partners with public schools in 29 high-need communities across the U.S. and through international affiliates in the U.K. and Johannesburg, South Africa. City Year teams are made up of 18 to 24 year olds, who provide student, classroom, and whole school support, intended to help students stay in school and on track to graduate high school. Volunteers receive health insurance and a living stipend that varies in amount by location.

Idealist

Idealist is a clearinghouse for jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities at socially-oriented organizations.

STEPS

Information and FAQs related to volunteering during or as a gap year.

Workaway

Workaway a site set up to promote fair exchange and friendship as well as volunteering and work opportunities. Connecting culture seekers, budget travelers and language learners with families, individuals or organisations that are looking for help with a range of varied and interesting activities. Volunteers work a few hours honest help per day in exchange for food & accommodation and an opportunity to meet others. Learn about local lifestyles and communities, with friendly hosts in varying situations and surroundings.

WWOOF

Founded in 1971, World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a worldwide organization linking volunteers with organic farmers and growers to promote cultural and educational experiences based on trust and non-monetary exchange, thereby helping to build a sustainable, global community. As a volunteer (or WWOOFer, as they are called) you will live alongside your host helping with daily tasks and experiencing life as a farmer.

Additional Planning Resources

Looking for more options? Here are some other organizations that have collected useful resources for those looking to take a gap year.