Global Routes has been a leader in Gap experiences for more than 30 years and the gold standard in the field of international immersion education for more than 50 years. 

Our Gap Year approach – The Global Routes Independent Track (GRIT) – is tailored to the individual goals and interests of each participant with the dedicated support and mentorship from Adam Aronovitz, Global Routes Director and Lead Gap Guide.

Design Your Gap

“When I first met Adam, I didn’t have a clue where I wanted to go [for my Gap]. I was overwhelmed by the logistics of forming a travel itinerary. Luckily for me, Adam proved to be the perfect guide. I developed a plan with him to volunteer/work with five different companies in five different countries over a period of fifteen months. He enthusiastically helped me cover all the details from vaccinations to visas and gave me informative resources, such as travel websites and detailed gear lists that would be useful for my long journey. Overall, I’m incredibly thankful for Adam’s continued support and for all his efforts in turning my dream for travel into a reality!”

Traveling abroad for any extended period of time is exciting and transformative. Your experience will have a long-lasting impact on the way you see the world and your confidence as a traveler.

Still, there’s a lot to consider. We’re here to make sure you have the most meaningful experience possible by guiding you through your program development process.

Our GRIT Gap experiences are best for intrepid, motivated, and engaged explorers, ages 18+ at the time of travel, who are seeking a more independent experience over a group-based program, but who also want expert support along the way to plan and navigate their Gap experience.

Once you’ve filled out your ‘Design your Gap’ intake form, eligible “gappers” will be invited to a free consultation call to explore your goals and options.

Happy Trails!

Design Your Gap

1. Become fluent in Spanish while taking language immersion courses, teaching at local youth projects and leading trekking groups in the Western Highlands of Guatemala.
2. Teach Soccer and English in the altiplano in Bolivia while mastering your Spanish. Spend your weekends hiking in the Andes and enjoy life in the volunteer house.
3. Live on a reforestation project in South India, Kenya, or Haiti, working on water conservation projects, planting tree forests, leading environmental education initiatives, and living with a community of like-minded volunteers.
4. Teach English to Buddhist monk students in Nepal while basking in the glory of the Himalaya. Take a break from teaching to trek one of Nepal’s famed teahouse treks.
5. Become certified through a Permaculture Design Course in Thailand and work on an eco-farming community.
6. Go way beyond the tourist track volunteering in Kajiado County in Southern Kenya. Support storytelling and cultural preservation efforts, initiate critical clean water projects with our partners at Mama Maji and go on Safari in Kenya’s world-renowned game-reserves.
7. Earn your TEFL certification in Bangkok and begin work as a paid English teacher in the Thai countryside.

Design Your Gap