Gap Year Programs: Internships / Work

Those words need not cause panic and fear for parents. Taking time off before or during college is no longer the road less traveled for many students. A gap year offers students the opportunity to gain focus and discipline, learn to set realistic goals, get real-world experience, and ultimately get the most out of a college education. Quite often the range of activities and experiences available to those taking a gap year can seem limitless, and in many respects they are. Most often, gap year activities fall into three primary categories: traveling, volunteering, and work.

AFS Intercultural Programs
AFS Community Service Program participants volunteer to work at local organizations that address community needs, such as helping street children or developing training programs with human rights workers. Projects vary by hosting country and participants’ interests.
www.afs.org

AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connects more than 70,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet our country’s critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment.www.americorps.org

Appalachian Mountain Club
The Appalachian Mountain Club is America's oldest nonprofit conservation and recreation organization. They promote the protection, enjoyment, and wise use of the mountains, rivers, and trails of the Appalachian region.
www.outdoors.org

City Year
City Year, Inc.'s signature program, the City Year youth service corps, puts idealism to work by tapping the civic power of youth for an annual campaign of idealism that generates transformative community service, breaks down social barriers, inspires citizens to civic action, develops new leaders for the common good, and improves and promotes the concept of voluntary national service. City Year corps members, ages 17 to 24, unite from diverse racial, educational and socio-economic backgrounds for a demanding year of full-time community service, leadership development and civic engagement.
www.cityyear.org

Dynamy
Dynamy programs integrate independent city apartment living with mentored internships, personal and college/career advising, urban and wilderness leadership opportunities, and the company of an incredible group of peers.
www.dynamy.org

Earthwatch Institute
Earthwatch Institute is an international non-profit organization that brings science to life for people concerned about the Earth's future. Founded in 1971, Earthwatch supports scientific field research by offering volunteers the opportunity to join research teams around the world.
www.earthwatch.org

Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.
www.habitat.org

Idealist: Action Without Borders
Action Without Borders connects people, organizations, and resources to help build a world where all people can live free and dignified lives. On the website, you will find thousands of volunteer opportunities in your community and around the world, and a list of organizations that can help you volunteer abroad.
www.idealist.org

Rotary International
Rotary International offers a broad range of humanitarian, intercultural, and educational programs and activities designed to improve the human condition and advance the organization's ultimate goal of world understanding and peace. Nine structured programs and nine service opportunities help clubs and districts achieve their service goals in their own communities and in communities abroad, fostering fellowship and goodwill in the process.
www.rotary.org

School for Field Studies (SFS): Environmental Field Studies Abroad
The School for Field Studies (SFS), an international non-profit academic institution, provides environmental education and conducts research through its field-based programs. SFS is committed to providing hands-on, interdisciplinary education, and environmental research in partnership with natural resource dependent communities.
www.fieldstudies.org

The Student Conservation Association
Each year, the Student Conservation Association helps thousands of people 18 and over find a way to make a difference. SCA offers 3-to-12 month, expense-paid internship opportunities in all 50 states, in more than 50 professional fields with the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, and state and local agencies, among others.
www.thesca.org