expand your horizons on affordable Gap Year Abroad Programs
Gap Year Abroad Volunteering
Join Our Gap Year Programs with Confidence
go to 1 to 7 countries
develop skills
safely experience new cultures
fully supported
managed in-country
backed by 24/7 UK support
12 week payment blocks - flexibility for your changing horizons
Gap Year Ideas
Overview of some projects in each country
Read about each project at the link
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Health electives
Teaching in schools
Qualified Health Volunteering
Volunteer as hospital admin
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Agriculture
Health electives
NGO Internships
Social work
Teaching in schools
Wildlife conservation
Youth work
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Health electives
Teaching
Trekking in the Himalayas
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Dental Electives
PADI
Pre-dental summer programs (SL Army)
Pilot: gain your Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL)
Teaching (English│French│German)
Wood carving
Traditional Drumming
Focus your Gap Gear planning with us
Many things contribute to an amazing Gap Year, and it’s important to have in mind what you’d like to do.
Our Gap Year question checklist will help guide your thinking, Consider the potential Gap Year costs as budgets can easily get blown! Check out our Gap Year Prices here
We offer those joining us the flexibility to add or change projects, making a schedule that suits you. Our 12 week charging policy allows you to make changes for the following 12 weeks without penalty.
Volunteer in 1 - 5 countries
set your own schedule (e.g. 4/7 days, am and/or pm)
include projects from medical support, through wildlife conservation, teaching.
experience local culture, and customs
learn to: play new musical instruments, cook, local dances, and crop planting.
add courses such as TEFL, PADI. In Sri Lanka, gain a driver’s licence, or even a pilot’s licence.
Add tourism activities
* We’ll give up to 60 minutes of our time to support your general GAP Year planning, and as much time as you need thereafter should you join us for your Gap Year abroad*. Specific advice can only be given related to Gap Years with GAFV
*following payment of your deposit
“Travelling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
Ibn Batutta
The average cost of a Gap Year
Transform Your Future with Affordable Gap Years Starting at Just $599!
What if you could change your life and the world you touched for as little as $599 for 4 weeks? That’s exactly what our gap year programs offer: life-changing experiences without the hefty price tag.
In December 2024, a university researcher who had reached out to over 60 volunteering agencies to find that only seven responded —GAFV being one of them – Spoke with us. Her curiosity about our prices led her to ask why the one month cost of our Gap Year programs cost was what many charge for 1 week. The answer? Because we believe in making meaningful travel accessible.
At GAFV, we’re committed to helping you make a difference, explore the world, and return home with a new perspective. We have designed affordable gap year programs with our local partners, and you can customize them based on your budget. If you are seeking a cheap gap year program, then we can offer that to you. Looking to add additional experiences and unique experiences with a more flexible budget? We’ve got options for that too, which can include hotel accommodation should you choose.
Affordable Gap Year Destinations Tailored to Your Budget
From the breathtaking landscapes of Sri Lanka to the vibrant cultures of Kenya and Nepal, our programs include accommodation, most meals, 24/7 support, and even local transport in some cases.
Each of our projects is located in what could be considered a cheap gap year destination:
Traveling around Sri Lanka: Hop on a $3 public bus or enjoy the same route in a $60 private car. A similar journey in the UK is priced at $350
Volunteering in Africa: Explore Uganda and Kenya on a single East African Tourist Visa, traveling by bus to save the cost on airfares.
Volunteering in Kenya, Nepal, and Sri Lanka will increase your costs due to flights, and visas, and new project starts
Expanding Your Adventure: Add experiences like PADI certification, trekking, learn wood carving, traditional drumming. or even pilot training for a truly unforgettable journey.
Did you know?
The average Gap Year program cost, at today’s exchange rates,
US $29,000 / €28,000 / £23,000*, and you were advised to budget for £500 - £800 per week*, before the ‘cost of living crisis’. Even now, in 2024, our volunteers can budget from as little as $100 pcm for everyday expenses. That’s right - more impact, less expense!
Start Your Affordable Adventure Today!
Whether you’re dreaming of a cheap gap year abroad, or want an affordable gap year program, you will have a transformative experience whatever your budget, GAFV is here to make it happen. Explore our programs, tailor your journey, and unlock a world of possibilities.
Jump to Gap Year Prices on this page
web accessed on 27th September 2022
Gap Year Prices and Inclusions
These prices are for food, accommodation, the stated volunteering, support and management.
Additional activities, e.g. PADI will incur additional cost.
Specific placements (e.g. gap year internships, and pre-dental programs will incur additional costs)
| Month (4 wks) |
Gap Year Sri Lanka |
Gap Year Myanmar |
Gap Year Kenya |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $879 | $949 | $1,009 |
| 2 | $849 | $879 | $939 |
| 3 | $849 | $879 | $939 |
| 4 | $829 | $879 | $939 |
| 5 | $829 | $879 | $939 |
| 6 | $829 | $879 | $939 |
| 7 | $799 | $879 | $939 |
| 8 | $799 | $879 | $939 |
| 9 | $799 | $879 | $939 |
| 10 | $799 | $879 | $939 |
| 11 | $799 | $879 | $939 |
| 12 | $799 | $879 | $939 |
| 13 | $599 | $879 | $939 |
| Total | $10,449 | $11,199 | $12,229 |
Questions to consider before booking your Gap Year
Do I know how long I want to go?
Does it have to be for a year?
I need a company that is flexible.
Can I start anytime?
I need a company that has flexible start dates.
Why might going with a company be better than just going by myself? Is it more affordable? Will I be supported in-country?
I read about natural distates around the world. Will I be able to move to a different part of the country if something happens where I am?
Will the company i go with have a good network of opportunities in a country?
I don’t think that I can just do one activity for a year?
I need a company that can provide a variety of activities.
I’m not keen on my Gap Year being like a full-time job.
I want a Gap Year company that supports flexibility.
Who will help me with the visas?
I need a company that not only sells Gap Years, but manages them too.
What’s my budget?
I need a company that has no hidden costs, and will work with me to avoid unexpected costs.
Do I want to pay for the year, or quarterly?
I want a company that gives me that choice.
Shall I go to one country, or more? Can one company support that?
Shall I volunteer; do an adventure holiday; go for a break with a plan I can make when I arrive; or can I do a mix-and-match to suit me?
Shall I do a course whilst I am away?
Am I going to carry on doing my job? Do I have a ‘work from home’ job that allows me to travel too?
Gap Year FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Your Adventure
What Can I Do on My Gap Year?
Nature Conservation: work with sea turtles, or assist in propagating plants and trees to support butterflies, monkeys, birds and restore plains habitat for antelope.
NGO Support or internships: Share your admin skills, teach languages, or help with fundraising, analysis, report writing, and expanding projects.
Organic Agriculture: Empower villages by producing fertilizer, seed collection, and planting climate resilient crops.
Teaching Opportunities: Teach languages in schools, villages, or monasteries. You could even contribute to vital infrastructure projects like building toilets or biofuel systems.
Creative Projects: Paint murals or carry out research in partnership with universities.
Health & Social Impact: Assist with suicide prevention programs, and medical admin work.
Pre-dental summer programs; join a 4 week pre-dental program with the Sri Lanka army in Colombo, and enjoy the sights and sounds the country ahs to offer
Prefer a mix?
You can stay in one country or hop between multiple destinations! And when you're not making an impact, there’s plenty of time for adventure – white water rafting, exploring festivals, or simply soaking in the beauty of new cultures.
What Will My Work Schedule Look Like?
Your gap year, your rules! Choose a schedule that works best for you:
Work 3, 4, or 5 days a week.
Mornings, afternoons, or full days – it’s all flexible – we only expect that you commit to what you say you will do
Need a breather? Opt for a week off every four weeks.
We design programs tailored to your pace, ensuring you have time to adjust, explore, and make the most of every moment.
Where will I stay?
Depending on the country, and the project, and your preference, you will stay in our partners’ hostel, in homestays, or in hotel accommodation should you wish.
What type of food will I eat?
The food will invariably, if not exclusively, be home cooked in a local manner, and variations of what is offered will in most cases need to be requested, or even bought and cooked yourself.
Will I need special visa?
That depends on the country. You will need a special visa for Sri Lanka and Myanmar, as you cannot volunteer on a tourist visa there. You can volunteer on a tourist visa in Kenya, and Uganda. Depending on how long you wish to stay in the country, different visas may be required, or you may need to leave the country and return.
How Can I Use My Gap Year for Personal Growth?
Why not include skill-building? Take an online course in anything from accountancy to graphic design, or a 120- or 250-hour TEFL certification (globally recognized) that can open doors for teaching opportunities while traveling.
In-country you can learn the language, wood carving, and even gain a pilot’s licence
Your gap year is the perfect blend of personal growth, global impact, and unforgettable experiences. Let’s make it everything you’ve dreamed of – and more.
For more information about your preferred destination, look at each of the country pages