Sample Programs

The following list of opportunities, separated into 11 categories, is just a fraction of the 6,600+ options that Interim has researched, vetted, visited, and referred students to since 1980. 

See Sample Scenarios for examples of how Interim students have combined different experiences and interests during their gap time. Older gappers should visit our Mid and Post Career pages for more information.

ACADEMIC & STUDY ABROAD

International relations and business semester in Italy

Field research and internship program in Costa Rica

Engineering or architecture study abroad in Ireland

Environmental study and travel in the U.S.

Global health semester in India

Political or medical biology studies in England

Language and culture semester in Spain or Chile

ANIMALS

Animal rescue center placements in Costa Rica

Shark conservation in South Africa
Penguin and monkey sanctuary volunteering in Chile
Sea turtle protection and research in Greece
Elephant care opportunities in Thailand
Dog rescue center in Peru
Animal conservation in New Zealand

ART, FILM, THEATRE & MUSIC

Art and culture travel program in Italy

Film-making courses in New York, Los Angeles and London
Ceramics, drawing and photography classes in the US
Theatre programs in the U.S. and Italy
Fine art semester in Italy, Greece or Ireland
Music playing and recording courses in the US
Performing and fine arts volunteering worldwide

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Environmental and animal conservation in Peru

Medical shadowing in India, Tanzania or Mexico
Teaching English in Thailand or China
Human and women's rights volunteering in Africa
Disaster relief in the US and Caribbean
Sports coaching in South Africa
Volunteering with children worldwide

CONSERVATION & ENVIRONMENT

Field research courses in the U.S. and abroad

Marine biology and sustainability in the Caribbean
Conservation crew in a national park in the U.S.
Sustainable building in Costa Rica and Guatemala
Wildlife conservation and research in South Africa
SCUBA certification and research in Belize and Madagascar
Nature reserve volunteering in Ecuador

CULTURAL IMMERSION

Spanish, travel, and volunteer semester in Latin America

Cultural exchange with a family in France, Italy or Spain
Surfing and service semester in Ireland
Volunteer and travel program in East Africa
Service, trekking and meditation in Nepal
Teaching placement with homestay in Costa Rica
Culture, service and travel in the Pacific Islands

INTERNSHIPS

Gallery or museum assistant in Ireland

Journalism or media position in Australia
Political internship at a government watchdog in D.C.
Web design placement in Ireland
Business internship in Argentina
Environmental conservation internship in New Zealand
Health education outreach in South Africa

OUTDOOR & WILDERNESS

Outdoor leadership semester in Costa Rica

Environmental education with students in the US
Ski/ snowboard instructor courses in Canada and Europe
Outdoor adventure center internship in New Zealand
Backpacking and conservation in the US and Patagonia
Mountaineering and avalanche course in Alaska
Surf instructor certification in South Africa

SKILL DEVELOPMENT

Guitar-building program in Europe

SCUBA certification courses worldwide
Music and art intensive courses in the US and Italy
Natural building in Guatemala
TEFL training in Costa Rica, Thailand, or Spain
Cooking courses in France, Italy and England
Language schools worldwide

SPIRITUAL EXPLORATION

Semester religious studies group program in India

Silent meditation retreats in the US and Nepal
Israel program focused on Jewish studies 
Yoga and teacher training courses worldwide
Farm-to-table sustainable living in New England
Retreat center volunteering in New Zealand
Tibetan Buddhist studies center internship in France

WORK EXCHANGE

Yoga retreat center volunteer in New Zealand

Environmental and outdoor educator in the US
Natural disaster relief work in Puerto Rico
Organic farm and community center in Hawaii
Conservation in national parks in the US
English coach in Europe
Tibetan refugee support in India

An important note on volunteering:

Be it an opportunity to gain experience for future academic or career paths, a passion for working on a specific issue, an interest in trying something new, or a genuine desire to “give back”, volunteering can be a powerful opportunity to give, grow and make meaningful contributions and connections. However, the reality of volunteering, on short term volunteer placements in particular, is nuanced. There are important questions and conversations to be had when well-intentioned but unskilled individuals want to volunteer. Therefore, our team of counselors will work closely with you to understand and match your goals with ethical, sustainable placements that we have vetted. For any volunteer positions that include working with people or animals, we highly encourage you to make a minimum commitment of at least 1 month. Based on current research and discourse in the field, we discourage our clients from volunteering in locations that exploit vulnerable populations for the sake of volunteers (including orphanages and large cat sanctuaries) or engaging in any placements (including medical) without proper training.