Madagascar Marine Conservation
4-6 weeks from £2,199
Stay on an unspoilt island in stunning Madagascar and live and work on an amazing marine conservation project for 4 - 12 weeks.
Learn New Skills
People choose to take a gap year for all sorts of reasons; to have fun, to see new places, make new friends and have exciting adventures; but it's not all about fun in the sun! The elements that will really make your gap year memorable are the new challenges you can set yourself, and the chance to further your learning and self development is a primary reason many travellers decide to set off on their gap year.
Mind your language!
If you want to gain some really useful and impressive skills that will make you a player on the international stage, then learning a language on your gap year is a brilliant way of proving how versatile you are. If you want to say hola to the locals in Latin America, then learning to speak Spanish on your gap year is a must-do. Learning a language is a valuable new skill that will be sure to impress!
Check out our trips below, or read more about Learn New Skills »
Riding on the crest of a wave
If you fancy being a bit of a water baby on your gap year, then why not brush up your watersport skills and take to the high seas? Why not take the chance to learn to dive in some of the world's most awesome oceans, and see the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, or the exotic underwater paradise off Thailand's idyllic islands? If you see yourself as a bit of a surfer dude, why not learn to surf on the world's wonderful waters? Or skim the seas as you learn to sail and weigh anchor in some wonderful destinations. These are all new skills that can be easily learnt on your gap year and make for some serious aquatic adventures!
Action stations!
If you are the active adventurer type, then you might want to gain some new physical skills on your gap year and really push your limits. If you see yourself slip-sliding with ease down a snowy slope, then why not try skiing or snowboarding? If you are a bit of a karate kid then get into the zen master zone and learn martial arts on your gap year. Or for the budding climber, why not try adventure hiking in an unforgiving climate? There are extreme environments out there waiting to be discovered, like the Australian outback, the bushlands of exotic Africa, or hiking up one of the world's most challenging mountains as you dare to climb Kilimanjaro.
So many skills, so little time...
There are many other ways you can learn new skills as you travel, for example through becoming a volunteer abroad and putting your life skills to the test. Budding teachers will find there's no better way of testing out your teaching muscles and gaining classroom skills than by getting involved with a teaching or TEFL course. These new challenges will all help develop your confidence as well as giving you valuable experience working with new people. You will also learn how to deal with a different culture, as well as the practical skills you will gain during your activity, such as building a school for charity, learning about marine wildlife in a reserve, or how to teach a class of children.
Making memories
The great new skills you learn during your gap year will stay with your for the rest of your life, and make your trip truly memorable. You may discover your new favourite hobby, or a whole new life passion from the skills learnt during your gap year, so it's time to get on your thinking cap and learn a brand new and exciting skill on your gap year!
Found 19 trips
Sri Lanka Medical Placement
2-12 weeks
from £1,049 £997
Calling all medical graduates, or current medical students! This volunteer programme is the perfect opportunity to further your practical medical experience. Make a real difference to the local community, build your CV, and explore the gorgeous surrounding area in your free time.
Medical Internships in Ghana
4-8 weeks from £1,250
Starting medical training or looking to further your career in medicine? This incredible Ghanaian-led internship offers a real opportunity to build your medical experience while having a positive impact in a developing country. Choose from a general medical internship, nursing, dentistry and physiotherapy and get hands-on experience with plenty of free time to explore Ghana
Learn Spanish in Ecuador
1 or 2 weeks from £599
Ever wanted to learn Spanish in South America? Discover beautiful Baños in Ecuador while staying at an incredible hostel and language school. Choose between 1 or 2 weeks, with completely free weekends!
Learn to Dive Great Barrier Reef
5 days from £775
Spend 5 days in beautiful Cairns and earn your PADI Open Water certification in the incredible waters of the Great Barrier Reef!
Coach Football in South Africa
4-8 weeks from £999
Spend 5 - 12 weeks as a football coach in beautiful South Africa and teach kids how to play the beautiful game! Pass on your skills, inspire kids and make a difference on this fantastic volunteer programme.
TEFL Course in Thailand
4 weeks from £999
Spend an incredible month in Thailand, training to get a 120-hour TEFL qualification. Stay in the beautiful Thai beach resort of Hua Hin and add new skills to your CV!
Paid Teaching in South Korea
12 months or longer from £669
Discover one of Asia's up and coming destinations while teaching English. Choose from our placement only option if you have teaching experience, or build your CV by adding on our 120-hour TEFL course. Enjoy access to some of the best wages in Asia, included cultural excursions, free accommodation, and a flight allowance.
Paid Teaching in Costa Rica
12 months from £1,599
Spend four weeks in the heart of Costa Rica, on our internationally accredited TESOL course, learning teaching skills, Spanish and enjoying cultural experiences. Then begin your teaching placement with the full support of our in-country team.
