The Gap Year Association (GYA) is a nonprofit membership community for educators, students, gap year programs, consultants, counselors, and post-secondary institutions with a shared VISION of cultivating a future where gap years are widely accessible and recognized as vital to personal, professional, and educational development.

Upcoming GYA Events

Youth Mental Health First Aid

March 25 & 26, 2024 | 11:30 - 3:00 EST

Adult Mental Health First Aid

April 22 & 23, 2024 | 11:30 - 3:00 EDT

GYA Counselors Institute

April 15, 16 & 18, 2024 | 12:00 - 3:30 EDT

DEIA Committee Meeting

May 23, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:30 EDT

GYA EXPERIENTIAL CHALLENGE

JUNE - SEPTEMBER, 2024

Sustainability Committee Meeting

June 6, 2024 | 12:00 - 1:00 EDT

GYA Membership Info Session

November 7, 2024 | 12:00 - 1:00 EDT

Counselor Discussion Group

November 13, 2024 | 12:00 - 1:00 EDT

Professional Member Forum

December 18, 2024 | 12:00 - 1:00 EDT

Community events

Info sessions and other events being hosted by programs, consultants, and other members in the GYA network. All times listed in U.S. EASTERN TIME.

NEWS & UPDATES

GYA’s EXPERIENTIAL CHALLENGE Campaign is happening now! Visit our campaign page to learn more and select an individual growth challenge to support and read more about our thoughts on how to step out of the comfort zone on the GYA Blog

Remember to VOTE during your gap year! There are some simple steps you can take to ensure your voice gets counted, even if you won’t be home on Election Day. Check out GYA’s Guide to Voting During Your Gap Year for more guidance. 

**GAP YEAR SCHOLARSHIP ALERT** Now accepting applications for TWO different gap year scholarships from students planning 2025 gap year experiences. Applications will remain open until 11/18/24. 

2024 editions of GYA’s Gap Year Planning Guide and Gap Year Transition Guide now available. Download your copies today!

GAP YEAR ALUMNI: Fill out this 3-minute questionnaire on your gap year experience to make sure your gap year is counted in our ongoing gap year research.

In February 2024, GYA officially signed the Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE) Accord following the release of GYA’s 2023-2026 Strategic Climate Action Plan (CAP). View GYA’s CAP, walk through the CANIE Accord signing process, and explore other sustainability resources on GYA’s Sustainability Committee webpage

Exploring gap year options? Check out these resources for finding the right fit:

Carpe Diem_Accredited Gap Year Program
Carpe Diem Education

Use GYA’s Gap Year Planning Guide to help you plan an intentional gap year experience.

Working with a gap year consultant can improve outcomes while saving time, money, and stress.

Need some inspiration? Check out a diverse collection of individual gap year stories submitted by former gappers in the GYA community.

Are you an organization that offers experiences for gap year students? Learn about ways that GYA can help you recruit students and access professional development opportunities:

Irish Gap Year_Accredited Gap Year Program
Irish Gap Year

Gap Year Programs that have earned GYA’s Seal of Accreditation have gone through a rigorous review process to demonstrate that they uphold the highest standards in gap year programming.

GYA offers regular professional development opportunities for professionals in the gap year field, including an annual Gap Year Conference for collective learning and growth within the gap year community.

Programs that are accredited by the Gap Year Association are able to offer college credit through a unique partnership between GYA and Portland State University.

GYA’s Diversity, Equity, Access, & Inclusion Committee is pioneering resources to increase access and diversity within the gap year field.

Network, learn best practices, find resources, and elevate your organization by joining the Gap Year Association as a member.

GYA member programs: log into the Program Dashboard in order to edit your organization’s public profile and/or access GYA’s accreditation application.

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