Gap Year Programs

Gap Year Programs

Domestic and International

Teaching

  • Teach for America: Teach for America is a national corps of recent college graduates, of all academic majors, who commit two years to teach in under-resourced urban and rural public schools.
  • NYC Teaching Fellows: NYC Teaching Fellows program recruits and prepares high-quality, dedicated individuals to become teachers who raise student achievement in the NYC classrooms. 
  • Match Corps: One-on-one tutoring program. Each MATCH Corps member is assigned four urban high school students with whom they build an in-depth relationship throughout the year.

Fellowships

  • Coro New York Fellows Program in Public Affairs: Intensive nine-month, full-time, graduate-level leadership training program. Coro New York Fellows Program in Public Affairs immerses participants in the various sectors—public, campaign, non-profit, private, labor—that shape New York City public policy.
  • The Emerson National Hunger Fellows Program: Emerson National Hunger Fellows Program is a social justice program that trains, inspires, and sustains leaders. Fellows gain field experience fighting hunger and poverty through placements in community based organizations across the country. 
  • The Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellows Program: The Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellows Program is a unique two-year program that combines field and policy work.
  • Humanity in Action (HIA): Humanity in Action is for students and recent graduates from universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, Ukraine and the United States.
  • Marshall Scholarships: Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a graduate degree in the United Kingdom.
  • Families USA Villers Fellowship for Health Care Justice: Villers Fellows will be given the opportunity to work on a variety of health care justice issues,
  • Families USA Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice: The Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice focuses on the unique challenges facing many communities of color (Applications open in January).
  • Green Corps Field School for Environmental Organizing: The Green Corps Field School for Environmental Organizing Intensive training and hands-on experience running urgent environmental and public health campaigns.
  • Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship: The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship was established in 1987 to provide college graduates with the opportunity to gain a Washington perspective on key issues of peace and security. Twice yearly, the fellowship’s Board of Directors selects a small group of outstanding individuals to spend six to nine months in Washington. Supported by a salary, the fellows serve as full-time project assistants at the participating organization of their choice

Two-Year Programs

  • Peace Corps: A wide variety of positions available in the Peace Corps throughout the world with a commitment of 27 months.

One Year Programs

  • National AmeriCorps: AmeriCorps engages more than 75,000 Americans in intensive service each year at nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and faith-based groups across the country.
  • AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps: National Civilian Community Corps is a full-time, 10-month commitment, team-based residential program for men and women age 18–24.
  • AmeriCorps VISTA Program: VISTA Program members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization, higher education institution or local government agency.
  • City Year: City Year offers opportunities to change the world as tutors, mentors, and role models, corps members make a difference in the lives of children, and transform schools and neighborhoods in the U.S. Open to US citizens and Permanent Residents. 
  • Community Health Corps: Institute Health Corps members engage in a variety of projects that promote access to health care and health information in medically underserved communities.
  • The Institute for Family Health: The mission of the Institute for Family Health is to improve access to high quality, patient-centered primary health care targeted to the needs of medically underserved communities.
  • New Sector Alliance: New Sector’s fellowship programs bring together cohorts of highly-motivated, skilled early career professionals who are passionate about social impact. Fellows serve full-time at organizations that are focused on alleviating poverty, closing the achievement gap, engaging in environmental issues, working toward healthier futures, and more. In addition to the placement, Fellows join a peer-learning community where they participate in training, mentoring, and coaching to build skills needed for social sector careers.

Environmental

  • Environmental Careers Organization (ECO): Environmental Careers Organization is a searchable database of paid, environmental positions across the nation ranging from seasonal to full time employment.
  • Green Corps: Green Corps has been launched as a field school for environmental organizing allowing college graduates to pursue multiple campaigns focused on environmental or public health initiatives as well as gain the benefits of classroom instruction for one year.
  • Student Conservation Association: Through the Student Conservation Association (SCA), there are many hands-on opportunities ranging in duration to engage in conservation service across the nation
  • World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF): WWOOF connects organic farmers, both nationally and abroad, in need of assistance and interested in teaching with volunteers willing to help and eager to learn.

International Opportunities

  • Atlas Service Corps: Atlas Service Corps is an international network of nonprofit leaders and organizations that promotes innovation, cooperation, and solutions to address the world's 21st-century challenges. Addressing critical social issues by developing leaders, strengthening organizations, and promoting innovation through an overseas fellowship of skilled nonprofit professionals.
  • CUSO-VSO: CUSO-VSO is a non-profit development agency that works through volunteers. The North American member of the VSO International Federation. Global citizens to work on collaborative development projects in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
  • Global Volunteers: Global Volunteers is a private non-profit, non-sectarian development organization that was founded with the goal of helping to establish a foundation for peace through mutual international understanding.
  • Cultural Vistas: Cultural Vistas host organizations across the United States and abroad support diplomacy and experience by welcoming international students and visitors into their organizations.

Assorted Postgraduate Opportunities: Domestic

  • AmeriCorps: AmeriCorps is a domestic service organization that places corps members in community service positions all around the country. Corps members focus on a specific issue such as education, public safety, health or the environment, and they work on bettering this issue within the community they are serving. Corps members serve in this position for ten months to one year. There are a number of different programs under the AmeriCorps umbrella.
  • Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship: The Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship is an eleven-month program that is divided into two phases. The first phase focuses on service, and places fellows in community organizations across the country that are battling hunger. For the second phase of the fellowship, fellows move to Washington DC, where they work on policy with national organizations to combat hunger and poverty-related issues. There are 20 fellows in total; both the field placement and policy work are related to hunger issues.
  • Boston Teacher Residency: The Boston Teacher Residency (BTR) is an innovative program in urban education that combines graduate coursework toward a Masters degree in Education with a full year of co-teaching under the guidance of an experienced Mentor Teacher before placement as a full-time teacher in the Boston Public Schools (BPS). BTR recruits talented, committed individuals of all ages and diverse backgrounds to enter a 13-month Teacher Residency modeled on a clinical teaching hospital approach; residents apply theory to practice, taking rigorous coursework and gaining extensive hands-on, practical experience in the classroom. They then continue to receive formal support and professional development during the first three years and beyond of their teaching careers. BTR's mission is to drive significant student achievement gains through the recruitment, preparation, and support of exceptional teachers in Boston.
  • Camp Hill: In Camphill, people usually live together in house communities. Community members include people with developmental and other disabilities, long-term coworkers who share responsibility for the leadership, managing and running of the community, short term coworkers who volunteer for shorter periods of usually one or two years. Coworkers are responsible for the health and care needs of the people they live with. Coworkers help provide support with daily living to anyone in your house that needs assistance.
  • Campaign Corps: Campaign Corps is a competitive program that trains recent college graduates to work on targeted progressive Democratic campaigns for the three months leading up to election day. Staffers go through campaign school, which is a mixture of lectures and discussions, combined with a simulated campaign where teams compete against each other to win. Members are sent to a local, state or federal race for a progressive Democratic candidate. The weekend after Election Day, everyone reunites in Washington, DC for a retreat.
  • Catholic Volunteer Network: One of the best resources for domestic and international voluntary programs is the Catholic Volunteer Network, which includes everything from two-week to two-year programs, and most projects seem to cover expenses (group housing) and health insurance. Many religious denominations are represented. Some sites expect belief in a particular dogma or approach; others are quite open to all varieties of belief and unbelief.
  • Citizen Schools: The National Teaching Fellowship is a unique, two-year professional and leadership development program. The Fellowship is a paid service program that offers a diverse range of experiences to people of varied backgrounds who have high potential as educators and leaders in the non-profit sector. Teaching Fellows (TFs) are essential to the success of the Citizen Schools' program. These engaging, dedicated, and caring adults work closely with urban middle-school students and their families to help transform lives. Each TF leads a group of approximately 18-23 students, supporting their academic achievement through structured academic support and by facilitating hands-on, learning activities led by community volunteers. The Citizen Schools' program offers TFs the opportunity to engage students in a diverse range of educational experiences and provides leadership development support- with the ultimate goal of preparing students for high school success, and enhanced college and career access.
  • City Hall Fellows: This 12 month fellowship introduces college graduates to positions that allow them the opportunity to understand how cities work and the various issues that impact local government.
  • City Year: City Year is a service program that places members primarily in educational and youth programs in cities across the US for one year. The program places a large emphasis on working with youth in at-risk communities. Besides primarily working with youth, members also might participate in community service projects (such as rebuild) within the areas they are serving.
  • Code for America: Code for America is a new non-profit, and a new kind of organization. Our team is made up of web geeks, city experts, and technology industry leaders. We are building a network of civic leaders and organizations who believe there is a better way of doing things and want to make a difference.
  • Green Corps Environment Fellowship: Green Corps' Field School for Environmental Organizing is a yearlong program that trains members in leading environmental-based political campaigns. Trainees start working on campaigns from the start of their education. Trainees gain classroom and field experience in environmental and public health campaigns, and career placements in environmental groups.
  • Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship: The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship is a competitive national fellowship program that provides college graduates with the opportunity to gain a Washington perspective on key issues of peace and security over a 6-9 month period. The Fellows serve as full-time junior staff members at the participating organization of their choice. Up to 8 Scoville Fellowships are awarded annually. Fellows receive active mentoring and networking from distinguished Board of Directors and former Fellows in addition to their stipend and benefits.
  • Inspired Teaching Certificate Program: The Inspired Teacher Certification Program is a state-accredited, 24-month teacher preparation program that prepares, supports, and certifies highly qualified individuals to become teachers in the District of Columbia. Inspired Teaching Fellows begin their teacher career with a residency year, working under the guidance of a lead teacher, gaining knowledge and experience to enable a smooth transition into their teaching career. In the second year, Fellows, as teachers of record, continue with coursework and mentoring. The Inspired Teacher Certification Program prepares educators in two areas: Early Childhood and Elementary Education.
  • Lutheran Volunteer Corps: The Lutheran Volunteer Corps accepts most candidates who share their core values of social justice, community, and simplicity. LVC volunteers do NOT have to be Lutheran or Christian, but do need to be willing to share ideas and engage in conversations around faith and spirituality. LVC-ers have a full-time, year-long voluntary service placement at a human service agency, while living in an intentional community of 4-8 volunteers, all of whom have different daytime placements. Volunteers receive enough funding for their housing, transportation, food, and a very small personal allowance
  • Math for America: Math for America is a nonprofit organization that has the mission to improve math education in secondary public schools in the United States. Math for America does this by recruiting, training, and retaining outstanding mathematics teachers. There are Math for America placements in Los Angeles, San Diego, Washington DC, and New York City.
  • Mississippi Teacher Corps: The Mississippi Teacher Corps is a two-year program that recruits college graduates to teach in the Mississippi Delta. This program is similar to the Peace Corps and Teach for America.
  • NYC Urban Fellows Program: The Urban Fellows Program is a highly selective, nine-month fellowship which combines work in Mayoral offices and City agencies with an intensive seminar series that explores current urban issues impacting public policy. Program participants are diverse and come from all over the country to work in New York City.
  • RARE: Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) is an AmeriCorps program administered through the University of Oregon's Community Service Center (CSC). RARE AmeriCorps is currently supported through grants from the Corporation for National & Community Service (AmeriCorps), The Ford Family Foundation, the University of Oregon, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Oregon Food Bank. In addition, each participating community provides partial cost needed to place, train, and support a full-time RARE AmeriCorps member.
  • Schuler Scholar Program: The Schuler Scholar Program (SSP) is a non-profit private foundation based in the northern suburbs of Illinois. Every year the Schuler Scholar Program recruits recent college graduates to serve as AmeriCorps members in each Schuler partnership high school. The members, called Scholar Coaches, provide one-on-one support to the Schuler Scholars and deliver a wide range of programs throughout the year. Additionally, Scholar Coaches develop programming, plan and execute exposures, assume leadership roles within the organization, and receive on-going professional development. Coaches serve as tutors, mentors and role models for the students and Schuler staff members provide the same support for the Coaches.
  • Student Conservation Association: Student Conservation Association (SCA) offers internships in over 50 disciplines throughout the US. Conservation. The SCA has postings of internships all over the country - applicants must complete a search on the website to narrow down internship options. Internships are 3-12 month expense-paid opportunities to preserve environmental and cultural resources.
  • Teach for America: Teach for America places recent college graduates in teaching positions in public schools across the country. Corps members teach grades K-12, in all subjects. The mission of TFA is to reduce the educational gap among American students.
  • Think Impact: Think Impact is an international non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. that catalyzes social businesses in Kenya and South Africa. Founded in 2003, Think Impact has grown to become a leading player in the social enterprise sector. We provide young social entrepreneurs the most effective vehicle to build high-impact social businesses that empower community members in rural Africa.
  • University Child Development School: University Child Development School in Seattle, WA offers a one-year Resident Teacher Program that is ideal for recent graduates who value education and children and thrive when learning by doing. Resident Teachers team with mentor teachers in elementary classrooms. The Resident Program is a teaching experience with thoughtful mentorship and professional development opportunities.
  • White House Fellows: The White House Fellows program is a prestigious program for leadership and public service. White House Fellows typically spend a year working as full-time, paid special assistants to senior White House Staff, the Vice President, Cabinet Secretaries and other top-ranking government officials. Fellows also participate in an education program consisting of roundtable discussions with renowned leaders from the private and public sectors, and trips to study U.S. policy in action both domestically and internationally.
  • Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship: The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship seeks to recruit, prepare and retain effective teachers for the students and schools who need them most. It is open to individuals- college seniors, recent graduates, and career changers- with undergraduate degrees particularly in the sciences. Fellows will attend enriched, school-based master's level teacher education programs, complemented by intensive mentoring during the first three years of teaching at high-need urban and rural schools.

Assorted Postgraduate Opportunities: International

  • Abaarso Tech: Abaarso Tech looks for teachers interested in training the top secondary students in a deeply underprivileged section of the world. This new boarding school, based in the Horn of Africa, focuses on math, science and English. Teachers spend approximately 20 hours per week in the classroom, plus significant work outside of class. Many AT teachers also assume management roles, and all are expected to lead extra-curricular activities by coaching sports teams, running student clubs, or leading work-time activities.
  • Boren Fellowships: Boren Fellowships provide up to $30,000 to U.S. graduate students to add an important international and language component to their graduate education through specialization in area study, language study, or increased language proficiency. Boren Fellowships support study and research in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East, with a focus on studying less commonly taught languages. Boren Fellowship awards are made for a minimum of 12 weeks and maximum of 24 months. 
  • Borlaug Fellows in Global Food Security Graduate Research Grant: The U.S. Borlaug Fellows in Global Food Security  graduate research grant program supports exceptional graduate students who are interested in developing a component of their graduate research in a developing country setting and in collaboration with a mentor from an International Agricultural Research Center (IARC), or a qualifying* National Agricultural Research System (NARS) unit.
  • CARE International: CARE is a major international humanitarian agency delivering broad-spectrum emergency relief and long-term international development projects. Founded in 1945, CARE is nonsectarian, impartial, and non-governmental.
  • Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Junior Fellowship: The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is an organization that works toward advancing cooperation between nations, and promotes active international engagement by the U.S. This is a yearlong fellowship that offers eight to ten research assistantships with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Research fellows are paired with the Endowment's senior associates.
  • Catholic Volunteer Network: One of the best resources for international and domestic voluntary programs is the Catholic Volunteer Network, which includes everything from two-week to two-year programs, and most projects seem to cover expenses (group housing) and health insurance. Many religious denominations are represented. Some sites expect belief in a particular dogma or approach; others are quite open to all varieties of belief and unbelief.
  • Christianson Grant: The Christianson Grant is awarded to individuals who have arranged their own work abroad programs. Proposed programs must be at least six months in length and emphasize a work component. The grant program does not support independent research projects or academic study abroad programs.
  • Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals in Germany: The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX) is a fellowship funded by the German Bundestag and U.S. Congress, that annually provides 75 American and 75 German young professionals the opportunity to spend one year in each others' countries, studying, interning, and living with hosts on a cultural immersion program.
  • Council on International Exchange - CIEE Teach Abroad: Council on International Exchange (CIEE) offers paid teaching positions in seven countries (Chile, China, Dominican Republic, South Korea, Spain, Thailand and Vietnam) for university graduates looking to teach English abroad and immerse themselves in a foreign community.
  • Cross-Cultural Solutions: Cross-Cultural Solutions, also known as CCS, is a nonprofit working to address critical global issues by providing meaningful volunteer service to communities abroad, and contributing responsibly to local economies.
  • Cultural Ambassadors: The North American Language and Culture Assistants Program is an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of Spain. The program is primarily devoted to providing grants for US and Canadian university students –majoring in any subject- and graduates with some proficiency in Spanish. Its main objective is to provide North American native English or French students with the opportunity to assist a teacher in the English or French programs in elementary, secondary or language schools in Spain (12 to 16 hours a week).
  • Foundation for Sustainable Development: Founded in 1995, the Foundation for Sustainable Development works to enhance the capacity of small non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the world to address local health, social, environmental, and economic issues. Our model incorporates four unique program that support underserved communities in a collaborative and sustainable manner.
  • English Open Doors: At English Open Doors, full-time volunteers make a lasting impact on the lives of their students, motivating them to improve their English and participate in cross-cultural exchange. English Open Doors Volunteers teach alongside a Chilean co-teacher in either public or semi-private schools. Volunteers are placed throughout Chile, and work with students ranging from 5th to 12th grade.
  • English Program in Korea: The English Program in Korea (EPIK), affiliated to the Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, was established in 1995 to improve the English speaking abilities of students and teachers in Korea, to develop cultural exchanges and reform English teaching methodologies in Korea.
  • French Embassy Teaching Assistantship: The Teaching Assistant Program in France offers you the opportunity to work in France for 7 months, teaching English to French students of all ages. Each year, over 1,100 American citizens and permanent residents teach in public schools across all regions of metropolitan France and in the overseas departments of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion.
  • Fulbright US Student Program Fellowship: The Fulbright program is a seven-month to year-long fellowship that places recent undergraduate and graduate students in countries all over the world. Program options include English teaching fellowships or independent research fellowships (with options for university study). Besides English language teaching and research opportunities, the Fulbright serves as a foreign relations program between the US and other countries. Fulbright fellows are expected to act as representatives of their country.
  • German Academic Exchange Program: GAIN was created by DAAD in cooperation with the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) to provide support for German scholars and scientists working in North America by facilitating networking within the community and improving the flow of information on current developments in higher education and new career opportunities at German universities, research institutions, and companies.
  • Global Health Corps: Global Health Corps recruits placement organizations that are doing excellent work in improving healthcare access and health outcomes for the poor. Placement organizations range from small grassroots organizations to large global institutions. Placement organizations identify an area of need, create a job description for a fellowship position, demonstrate the capacity to absorb two new full time staff, and identify a clear manager for the fellow team. Fellow candidates apply for specific positions with one of our placement organizations for which they have relevant skills and experience, and are selected jointly by GHC and the placement organization.
  • Hellenic American Education Foundation Teaching Fellowship: Fellows are at the College for a full school day (Monday through Friday 8.30am – 4pm, with occasional Saturdays for specific events) and teach in supervised English classes and/or work in the HAEF University Applications and Counseling Office and the HAEF Library, and have the opportunity to interact with a wide range of students at the elementary, middle, or high school level. Fellows are also involved as coaches and mentors in the Forensics Club – the College’s largest English language theater and debate club – where they are able to connect with the students in a fun, creative, and supportive setting. At the end of the school year, Fellows take part in the English language Summer Camp in June-July.
  • Interac: Interac is Japan's leading private provider of Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs). Our highly motivated and qualified teachers serve thousands of schools and boards of education throughout every region of Japan, working with children from kindergarten to high school.
  • International Schools Services: For over 50 years ISS has brought the very best educators together with the very best schools, pairing over 20,000 candidates and 300 schools in more than 150 countries worldwide. Now more than ever, ISS makes securing a highly sought international teaching career easier, smarter and more affordable.
  • Japan Exchange and Teaching: The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program is sponsored by the Japanese government. JET places native English speakers in classrooms across Japan. The workers live in Japan for up to a year and serve as a language assistant to Japanese students.
  • Luce Scholars Program: The Luce Scholars program is unique among American-Asian exchanges in that it is intended for young leaders who have had limited experience of Asia and who might not otherwise have an opportunity in the normal course of their careers to come to know Asia. Those who already have significant experience in Asia or Asian studies are not eligible for the Luce Scholars Program.
  • Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellows Program: During each two-year fellowship cycle, 12-15 Leland Fellows are placed with international development organizations that include international and local NGOs, U.S. government agencies and multilateral organizations. Fellows work on a variety of food security issues, such as agricultural development, nutrition, natural resource management, agribusiness development, and women’s empowerment. Includes a monthly stipend, health insurance, and travel expenses.
  • Nanubhai Teaching Fellowship: We bring native English speakers to boarding schools in rural India. Fellows provide additional practice in speaking English to help students build both skill and confidence, which makes them more competitive with their urban peers in the Indian job market.
  • Payne International Development Fellowship Program: The USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program seeks to attract outstanding young people who are interested in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The Payne Fellowship, which provides up to $90,000 in benefits over two years for graduate school, internships, and professional development activities, provides a unique pathway to the USAID Foreign Service.
  • Peace Corps: Peace Corps is a program sponsored by the US government that sends corps members to countries around the world. Corps members assist in infrastructure and community development within the country they serve in. Examples of assignments include teaching, construction, community organizing, and medical aid.
  • Projects Abroad: Projects Abroad is one of the largest volunteer abroad organizations in the world. Founded in 1992, we send 10,000 people abroad each year on a variety of service projects and internships overseas. All participants receive unparalleled in-country support from our full-time, professional staff to ensure that the experience is safe, worthwhile and fun.
  • Princeton in Africa: Princeton in Africa matches talented and passionate college graduates with our partners working across Africa for yearlong service projects. Our program is open to graduating seniors and young alumni from any accredited college or university in the U.S. Our Fellows have helped improve education and public health, source fresh water and alternative energy, increase family incomes, and so much more.
  • Princeton in Asia: Princeton in Asia (PiA) offers service-oriented fellowships in the fields of education, media/journalism, international development (NGOs) and business, with a majority of fellows working as English teachers at universities and high schools. PiA fellowships are open to graduates or graduating seniors from all accredited colleges and universities.
  • Princeton in Latin America: PiLA offers service experiences in Latin America and the Caribbean to match outstanding recent college graduates who are interested in year-long service fellowship opportunities with partner NGO and multilateral organizations that are engaged in socially responsible development projects throughout the region.
  • Public Allies: Public Allies is an AmeriCorps program that places allies in community development NGOs serving for four days a week for 10 months at local nonprofits, where they create, improve and expand services that address issues including youth development, education, public health, economic development, and the environment. Once a week, allies participate in a rigorous leadership development program in which local community leaders and expert practitioners lead workshops.
  • Rotary Peace Fellowships: Each year, Rotary selects individuals from around the world to receive fully funded master’s degree fellowships at premier universities in fields related to peace and conflict resolution and prevention. Locations include Japan, UK, Australia, Sweden and the U.S. These fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all internship/field study expenses.
  • Samaritan Inns: This program offers a year-long innkeeper fellowship at a homeless shelter/halfway house in Washington D.C. Interns take classes at the Servant Leadership School, participate in monthly community-building activities and group reflection, and have opportunities to connect with individuals and organizations working to address the complex problems of poverty. InnKeepers also learn about addictive behaviors, explore their faith, and personalize their understanding of poverty and oppression.
  • Samuel Huntington Public Service Award: The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award, sponsored by National Grid, provides a stipend to a graduating college senior to pursue public service anywhere in the world. The Award allows recipients to engage in a meaningful public service activity for one year before proceeding on to graduate school or a career.
  • Teach and Learn in Korea (TaLK): TaLK is a Korean Government scholarship program known as Teach and Learn in Korea. The program’s main objective is to invite and train native English teachers and overseas Koreans to teach practical English in after-school classes at the rural elementary school.
  • Teach and Learn with Georgia: Volunteer teachers will stay in Georgia for at least one year and experience once in a lifetime opportunities, such as getting familiarized with amazing Georgian customs and traditions by living with local families, experiencing unique Georgian folklore and cuisine by socializing with local communities, and learning the Georgian language, one of the 14 existing alphabets in the world, should they wish to do so.
  • Teach for China: Teach For China (formerly known as the China Education Initiative or CEI) recruits, selects, trains, and supports outstanding US and Chinese graduates to work side-by-side to deliver an excellent education in high poverty, rural Chinese communities. In the short-term, Teach for China’s Fellows are placed in full-time, two-year teaching commitments at under-resourced schools, where they meet the pressing need for exceptional educators. In the long-term, Teach for China supports its alumni – equipped with the experience, conviction, and insight that comes from leading children to fulfill their potential – to be a force for change, working from across sectors to expand educational opportunity.
  • Teach Thailand Corps: Teach Thailand Corps (TTC) places American graduates in underserved Thai schools as English language teachers. TTC believes that language skills are an essential foundation for a better life and a better world. Thai students equipped with English proficiency are positioned to succeed in school, work, and life, and to make an impact in their communities. Teach Thailand Corps has learned from and adapted elements of the Peace Corps philosophy of service and learning.
  • Volunteers for Peace: Volunteers for Peace provides opportunities for volunteers to develop leadership skills and global connections. They advocate for civic engagement and encourage volunteers to apply their new skills as citizen diplomats, community activists and global leaders. VFP offers lots of options - domestic and abroad, short- and long-term. Volunteers can either search for one long project or string together multiple shorter ones. It's not funded, but most living expenses are covered. There is a registration fee.
  • WorldTeach: WorldTeach is a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 1986 in response to the need for educational assistance in developing countries. WorldTeach has placed thousands of volunteer educators in communities throughout Asia, Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe and the Pacific. Volunteers are placed in schools and host communities that specifically request WorldTeach volunteers and would otherwise be unable to afford or located qualified teachers. Volunteers receive training, language preparation, and field support, empowering them to make an impact that will last long after they leave.

More Resources

Yale University Gap Year Website

Scholarship Database for Non-US Citizens: