Maybe you\u2019re not sure what you want to do at uni, or maybe you need a break to figure out exactly what the next step is. No matter what, a gap year is an excellent idea. Head out into that wonderful world and see everything it has to offer. Maybe you want to work and save some money to travel more. Maybe you\u2019re looking for a little insight into the professional world, in which case an internship might be the route for you. You could head pretty much anywhere in the world and volunteer doing any number of things.\u00a0 Maybe you just want a down and dirty backpacking trip to savor your new-found freedom. Whatever you\u2019re looking for, read on to learn about some amazingly unique places to take\u00a0your gap year.<\/p>\n

1. Ecuador<\/h3>\n

Whether you want to be a beach bunny or head out for some awesome climbing and trekking, Ecuador is teeming with possibilities. Opportunities abound for your gap year.\u00a0 Volunteer to do sea turtle conservation, or head to one of the cities to work with street kids. Teach English, or just backpack around this amazingly diverse country. Check out the awesome nightlife and the Amazon Rainforest while you\u2019re at it.<\/p>\n

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2. China<\/h3>\n

An entirely different culture? Check. Amazing food? Check. New friends and an exciting job?\u00a0 Check. China will change your world. See this amazing mix of modern and ancient, and throw yourself into the fray as you teach English as a second language. Test your limits with the challenge of a new job, and a new language. Enjoy the amazing (and I really mean amazing!) food, from dumplings to Peking duck. Climb the Great Wall, and then head to Chengdu to cuddle a panda. It will be a whole new world, and I\u2019m not sure you\u2019ll ever want to leave, especially after you fall in love with your adorable students!<\/p>\n

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3. Botswana<\/h3>\n

For the thrill seekers and animal lovers, head to Botswana for an out of this world experience.\u00a0 Do animal conservation or volunteer work, and head out for a crazy adventure on the weekend.\u00a0 4×4 off-roading, elephant riding, and quad biking are just a few options for the adrenaline junkies out there.<\/p>\n

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4. Cambodia<\/h3>\n

Do you want to change the world? Cambodia is a great place to start. This country if chock full of volunteer opportunities and there\u2019s a lot you could give to a developing country like this. Imagine volunteering in youth development in Siem Reap, or teaching and helping disadvantaged children Phnom Penh. It will change your world, and change theirs. Plus, Angkor Wat anyone? Not to mention it\u2019s incredibly cheap, beautiful, and full of the nicest people you will ever meet.<\/p>\n

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5. Russia<\/h3>\n

Are you looking for something a little more glamorous?\u00a0 Romantic?\u00a0 Beautiful cities and a stunning countryside?\u00a0 Consider teaching English, volunteering, or doing an internship in Russia.\u00a0 Teach English while you live like a local, enjoying the food and the nightlife.\u00a0 Head out of the big cities and volunteer, seeing the culture and charm of Russia.\u00a0 When it\u2019s time to let loose, grab a drink of that famous Russian vodka and head to a club with your friends.<\/p>\n

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6. South Africa<\/h3>\n

This is another one for the thrill seekers.\u00a0 Head to South Africa to volunteer in nature, or maybe volunteer in Johannesburg.\u00a0 Get an internship in Cape Town and see everything the cultural city has to offer.\u00a0 Teeming with wildlife, a fantastic social life, and the world\u2019s highest bungee jump to boot, South Africa is definitely a must see.<\/p>\n

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7. India<\/h3>\n

Are you looking for an in-depth look at the real world?\u00a0 India is the place for you.\u00a0 Colorful, chaotic, and exotic, India will be sensory overload as you work with the locals doing volunteer work, or travel around to see everything this diverse country has to offer.\u00a0 Get in touch with your spiritual side and learn yoga, ride camels into the desert, lounge on beaches in the south and explore beautiful temples and palaces<\/p>\n

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8. Mexico<\/h3>\n

Are you on the hunt for great food, fun times, diverse culture, and the experience of a lifetime?\u00a0 Of course you are.\u00a0 Mexico is a great option for volunteering, backpacking, doing some hostel work, or even enrolling in a language course.\u00a0 Opportunities abound with everything from exploring beaches and ruins to doing whale conservation or building school playgrounds.\u00a0 Make sure you\u2019re there to celebrate the Day of the Dead.\u00a0 Spend a year enjoying all Mexico has to offer.\u00a0 Cerveza (or beer, for those who don\u2019t know Spanish yet), anyone?<\/p>\n

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9. Madagascar<\/h3>\n

Are you looking to do something environmentally friendly?\u00a0 Or maybe you\u2019re an animal lover?\u00a0 This is the place for you.\u00a0 Teeming with gorgeous rainforests, flora, and fauna, not to mention exotic animals, there are so many opportunities here for your gap year.\u00a0 Marine, animal, and forest conservation are all options here.\u00a0 When you\u2019re not busy helping save the planet, enjoy the melting pot of people and cultures while you sample local food, dive through shipwrecks, cuddle a lemur, or swim with sharks.<\/p>\n

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10. Japan<\/h3>\n

Want an experience that\u2019s new and modern, all at the same time?\u00a0 Head to uber-cool Japan and see what all the hype is about.\u00a0 Pick up a gig teaching English and make some money to spend on the awesome club scene while you dance the nights away to some of the hippest DJs around.\u00a0 Check out the crazy fashion, and learn Japanese at the same time.\u00a0 With a new wardrobe and a new language, you\u2019ll be set to take the world by storm.\u00a0 Also, sushi.<\/p>\n

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11. Iran<\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t let the news put you off.\u00a0 If you\u2019re politically minded, curious, adventurous, and free spirited, this is the place for you.\u00a0 Iran is a land of unsurpassed beauty with an amazing culture to share.\u00a0 As you travel through Iran, you\u2019ll smoke a shisha with fellow travelers and locals alike while you gaze at the stars above.\u00a0 Make time to haggle for a gorgeous carpet over a pot of deliciously strong tea.\u00a0 Explore the ancient ruins of Persepolis, and finish the day sitting in a park, watching the hustle and bustle pass you by.<\/p>\n

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12. Nepal<\/h3>\n

Combine adventure travel with fulfilling volunteer work in starkly beautiful Nepal.\u00a0 Head to Katmandu for a look at the medieval city or go trekking through the Himalayan Mountains.\u00a0 Do you like yaks?\u00a0 If so, this is the place for you.\u00a0 It not, get ready to see a lot of them.\u00a0 Volunteer to do earthquake relief, or work with local children.\u00a0 No matter where your path takes you in this amazing country, there will be a warm welcome for you.<\/p>\n

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13. Cuba<\/h3>\n

Vibrant culture, fat cigars, sexy accents, and a good Cuba libre to sip at the beach?\u00a0 Head to Cuba for a colourful, cultural experience that will leave sweep you up like a whirlwind.\u00a0 Learn how to dance, how to cook, and how to live life to the fullest on this amazing island.\u00a0 Head to a language school to learn Spanish, or do reef conservation work.\u00a0 Whatever you end up doing there, the nightlife, culture, and scenery will make it unforgettable.<\/p>\n

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14. Germany<\/h3>\n

Looking for something a little less off the beaten path, but no less exciting?\u00a0 Head to Germany for an internship or work experience.\u00a0 You\u2019ll love the alternative, artsy feel of East Berlin contrasted with super-modern West Berlin.\u00a0 Ever been a fan of Disney fairytales?\u00a0 Head south to Bavaria and see Neuschwanstein Castle, the basis for the Disney castle logo.\u00a0 The castle set against gorgeous scenery will take your breath away.\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget to time your gap year\u2026you wouldn\u2019t want to miss out on Oktoberfest, would you?<\/p>\n

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15. Brazil<\/h3>\n

Do you want an epic mix of culture and nature?\u00a0 Passion, music, and history?\u00a0 Head to Brazil to explore colonial cities, make friends for life, explore local traditions, learn to samba, and find the best Caipirinha (Brazils national drink) in all of Rio de Janiero.\u00a0 Make sure you\u2019re there for the country-wide party that is Carnival!\u00a0 Whether you want to do conservation work in the Amazon, work with kids in the city, or just explore, this country is for the most passionate and adventurous people out there to discover.<\/p>\n

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Hopefully one of these amazing places sounded too good to be true, so much so that you\u2019re online booking a flight and not reading anymore.\u00a0 If you\u2019ve made it this far, all I can say is just go.\u00a0 There is an amazing adventure, a new friend, a potential partner, delicious food, crazy adventures, and so much more waiting for you in one of these unique places to spend your gap year.\u00a0 Maybe you can\u2019t make up your mind and want to try more than one.\u00a0 Go for it!<\/p>\n

Are you headed to one of these 15 unique places to take your gap year? Let everyone know by sharing this article!<\/h5>\n

Featured\u00a0image source: pinterest.com<\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Maybe you\u2019re not sure what you want to do at uni, or maybe you need a break to figure out exactly what the next step is. No matter what, a gap year is an excellent idea. Head out into that wonderful world and see everything it has to offer. Maybe you want to work and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19726,"featured_media":115903,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[89],"tags":[212,217,222,330,226,231,236,241,327,326,246,251,152,158,328,329,256],"thb-sponsors":[],"class_list":["post-103591","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel","tag-adelaide-lifestyle","tag-brisbane-lifestyle","tag-canberra-lifestyle","tag-gap-year","tag-gold-coast-lifestyle","tag-melbourne-lifestyle","tag-newcastle-lifestyle","tag-perth-lifestyle","tag-places","tag-places-to-travel","tag-sunshine-coast-lifestyle","tag-sydney-lifestyle","tag-travel","tag-travelling","tag-unique","tag-unique-places","tag-wollongong-lifestyle"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n