Best Affordable Gap Year Programs Abroad
We offer countless variety of affordable gap year volunteer abroad programs which are 100% safe and fully supported
- Enjoy a year of learning about yourself and others, and maybe even a new language or some practical skills.
- Use this once in a lifetime opportunity to explore different countries, taking part in various projects and contributing to long-term positive change.
- Unparalleled high reviews and ratings, Guaranteed lowest program fees in the US – starting from $100 - $200 per week.
- 18 countries, 200 projects and thousands of happy volunteers since 1998. Contact us for more information.
Best Affordable Gap Year Programs Abroad
Are you trying to figure out what you would like to do during your gap year? Have you ever considered joining a gap year volunteer abroad program?
RCDP has the best and most affordable gap year volunteer abroad opportunities in 18 countries between Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Gap year volunteer trips are an incredible way to explore a new country and culture, while helping to make the place that you are visiting a better place for the locals there.
There are hundreds of gap year volunteer opportunities that involve humanitarian activities like teaching English, caring for orphans, assisting local doctors and nurses, building community centers, and protecting local ecosystems, among so many more noble and necessary causes.
Due to international visa regulations, RCDP does not offer a one-year program that stays in one country. In order to abide by immigration laws, gap year volunteer abroad programs take place in several countries over the course of a year.
You get to decide where and what you want to do during your gap year though. RCDP will help you plan this extraordinary and once in a lifetime adventure.
The volunteer experience was very eye-opening and I felt very much needed at the site. I would greatly recommend it.
Frances Yuan
- USA
The strong ties we built and the rewarding experiences that we made here were really very priceless.
Amelie Lim
- Australia
A lifetime experience, which has opened my eyes to so much, and impassioned me to pursue future volunteer trips.
Brandon
- USA
Overall a great experience! I can't think of any reason why I shouldn't recommend the program to others!
Lena Gustke
- Germany
Please read more RCDP reviews , also in abroad reviews (RCDP-Nepal), Abroad reviews (RCDP -international)
Benefits of Gap Year Programs Abroad
There are infinite benefits that can come from embarking on a gap year volunteer trip. The benefits will vary from volunteer to volunteer, but there are some that nearly everyone will receive. Taking a year off from your formal education is an opportunity to receive some real-life education.
Valuable life lessons and experiences take place when you travel and volunteer abroad. It is a great time to reflect on your own life and what you would really like the rest of your life to be like. You might discover an entirely new passion while you are participating in multiple gap year volunteer projects.
A gap year volunteer abroad program is also an opportunity to explore multiple countries and cultures in a safe, organized, and affordable manner. Experiencing the world outside of your own encourages personal growth. The work that you do abroad will also look exceptional on a college or professional resume.
You will pick up important leadership, team work, and problem-solving skills, and maybe even a new language. There is so much you can learn from spending time overseas helping others.
How Can I Volunteer Abroad for a Year?
Due to immigration laws and visa requirements, RCDP cannot offer you a gap year program abroad that remains in just one country for the year. In order for a gap year volunteer abroad trip to work you would ideally choose three to four difference countries and three to four programs you would like to participate in.
The most affordable approach is to choose countries that boarder each other, but this isn’t a requirement. Where you want to go and what you want to do is entirely up to you. RCDP can make this year abroad dream of yours come true though.
RCDP’s Top Gap Year Programs Abroad
RCDP has an impressive collection of gap year volunteer abroad opportunities around the globe for all different interests, budgets, and volunteer and travel goals. Here are some of the most popular ones to get the ball rolling.
Wildlife Volunteer Opportunity in Costa Rica
The wildlife conservation volunteer in Costa Rica gap year opportunity is focused on caring for native and exotic Costa Rican animals that have been displaced, abused, or orphaned. There are six different wildlife conservation mini-projects within this amazing gap year volunteer with wildlife opportunity in Costa Rica. If you love animals, nature, and the outdoors, this is one of the top animal conservation programs in Costa Rica to join.
Volunteer in an Orphanage Program in Guatemala
Antigua is a sensational city in Guatemala. Between the colorful culture, amazing vistas, and lovely people, this is a place you will fall in love with. However, Guatemala is a very poor country and with extreme poverty comes the issue of orphans. As a gap year volunteer with orphans in Guatemala, you have the chance to bring love, light, and hope into the lives of disadvantaged children who have been left without a family.
Volunteer Teaching English Program in Peru
The ability to communicate proficiently in English is one that can help young Peruvians get a job in the tourism industry, which is more profitable than a lot of the other jobs that are accessible to the majority of the population. As a gap year volunteer English teacher in Peru, you can help prepare students from rural local schools for a potentially brighter and more successful future.
Volunteer Healthcare Project in Kenya
There is an immediate and constant need for medical volunteers in Kenya. In rural and impoverished communities throughout the country, the healthcare services are rather limited and often insufficient. As a gap year medical volunteer in Kenya, you will help dedicated medical professionals and other volunteers bring basic healthcare to those who desperately need it.
Elephant Volunteer Project in Thailand
The elephant sanctuary and conservation project in Surin, Thailand needs all the loving and compassionate hands it can get to help take care of the sick, injured, and old resident elephants. Surin is the elephant capital of Thailand. Unfortunately, many elephants are held captive as workers and mistreated until they are too old or sick to bring in money for their owners. As a gap year elephant volunteer in Thailand, you will help care for these unfortunate animals and help give them a significantly better life than they were living before since they cannot be returned to the wild.
Volunteer Teaching Computer Classes in Brazil
In this modern-day computer skills are extremely valuable, especially for a great deal of career opportunities. Many lower income families in Brazil do not have a computer in their homes and many of the rural and remote local schools don’t have computers. Because of this, many individuals never learn how to use a computer. If you are tech or computer savvy, this volunteering opportunity teaching computer classes in Brazil could really use your help in better preparing young students for the future.
Volunteer Teaching in Cambodia
There is a great need for fluent English speakers to help teach English classes in local schools in Cambodia. The ability to communicate proficiently in English is one that can open a lot more doors in the future. This impactful and rewarding gap year volunteer abroad program teaching English in Cambodia is one that can truly change the lives of the children whom you teach.
If you aren’t necessarily interested in a gap year volunteer program abroad, fret not, RCDP has a ton of other opportunities including but not limited to adventure trips for college students, healthcare volunteer opportunities abroad, community service trips for high school students, animal conservation volunteer abroad projects, and family volunteer opportunities abroad. Take a look at all the amazing opportunities RCDP has to offer and contact us to learn more!