Power up your Gap Year with Raleigh International

Discover more about yourself and the world on a once-in-a-lifetime gap year.

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Are you ready to start your gap year adventure?

A gap year is an opportunity to explore the world, discover your passions and gain new skills and experience to skyrocket your future career and studies. It’s a time just for you, when the control is in your hands to do something that matters to you in a break from school, university or the world of work.

Whether you want to take a year away from work or studies, or you are looking for something to do in a break between terms, Raleigh Expeditions offer a range of different and incredible experiences for you on your gap year.

“Raleigh gave me the drive I needed when I was dealing with. Difficult home life and made me determined to raise the money and get on my Expedition.”

Emma | Raleigh Alumni

A time to invest in you

Volunteering with Raleigh is unlike anything else. Open to 17–24-year-olds, Raleigh Expedition will take you on a three-phased programme, encompassing up to two meaningful projects and an adventure leadership trek. You will volunteer in the heart of rural communities and wildlife havens, contributing to projects that support people and nature. Your trek will show you what you are made of as you take the lead and venture across spectacular and untamed landscapes.

Immerse into a world of new cultures and embrace the power of challenge, because it’s there that you will build confidence, resilience and a truly global outlook. Whether volunteering on a 4, 6 or 10 week programme, joining an Expedition is just the first step to changing your life.

Why choose Raleigh on your Gap Year?

For 40 years thousands of young adults have transformed their lives on gap years with Raleigh International. Over 55,000 people have volunteered on Raleigh Expeditions around the world, on incredible experiences with adventure and impact at its heart! Uniquely to the Raleigh.

Varied Experiences

Have a varied experience on a three-phased programme, taking part in two projects - an environmental and a community development project - as well as conquering an adventure trek across spectacular landscapes.

Build connections

You’ll be with the same volunteers throughout your Expedition, helping you create strong friendships fellow volunteers who are in a similar life-stage to you. You’ll meet people from all over the world!

Unique locations

Volunteer in remote locations you would not normally have access to. Whether working in a rural community or in a national park, you will be walking the road less travelled

Structured Programs

Travel with security on a programme with structure. You will be supported to make the most of your experience every step of the way, both before and during your Expedition.

Make a Difference

Make a meaningful difference to others on your gap year on projects which all have impact and sustainability at its core.

Legacy programs

Join a programme with a long-lasting legacy. When you become a Raleigh volunteer you join the ranks of previous volunteers such as the Prince and Princess of Wales and astronaut Tim Peake.

The Raleigh Expedition Experience

Hear it first from Raleigh Volunteers

Your friendships, your passions, your new found confidence, your purpose: It all starts with Raleigh. On Expedition, you will create unique memories to last a lifetime and work alongside project partners, local communities and your fellow volunteers to identify where change is needed most to create a positive, lasting impact.

How else can a Raleigh gap year benefit you?

Discover your strengths, your passions and yourself.
Immerse yourself in new cultures while experiencing life in a different country.
Develop hard and soft skills which will enhance your CV.
Build your confidence, independence and resilience.
Gain valuable experience in project management, community development and environmental conservation.
Take a break before joining university or college means you are less likely to experience academic burn-out.
Enhance your university or college application by doing a gap year programme supporting your course, degree or field of work.
Set yourself apart from the competition in job applications.
Have time to reflect on what really matters to you and what you want to do next in life.

Your gap year with Raleigh Expedition

Raleigh Expedition is a truly unique international volunteer experience. Take part in a 4, 7 or 10 week volunteer programme. On Raleigh Expedition you have the chance to take part in a community development project, an environmental project, and an adventure leadership trek in an incredible and remote setting.

What the stats say about Gap Years

60% of those in the UK said taking a gap year believe it helped them decide what subject to study at university and;
66% took their studies more seriously upon their return
97% of students in the US who took a gap year enjoyed increased maturity due to taking a gap year and;
96% of people believe that taking a gap year helped to improve their self-confidence – something that helps not only in a professional environment, but in terms of mental health and overall wellbeing, too
84% gained skills they believed would help them be successful in their future careers

Where can I join an Expedition?!

We currently offer two different countries for our Expeditions.

READ: Which Expedition is right for me?

Costa Rica

Costa Rica in one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, home to national parks, volcanoes and stunning landscapes. Be culturally immersed in an indigenous community while on projects supporting access to education, and conquer a whopping 250km trek across beautiful rainforest and mountain areas.

Learn more about Costa Rica projects

South Africa

There is nowhere better than Greater Kruger to walk in the footsteps of the world’s most spectacular wildlife. Become one with local community life and the African bush on community and environment projects, and experience South Africa’s highest mountains whilst trekking the incredible Drakensberg Mountains.

Learn more about South African projects

An Expedition with purpose

Raleigh Expedition gives you the opportunity to do meaningful work on projects and experience a world of adventure on a leadership trek in remote and spectacular settings. The Expedition programme involves:

01. Community development projects

On Community Projects volunteers work side-by-side local communities in rural areas on development initiatives that support poverty alleviation and improve access to education. Volunteers work with project partners who are embedded in these communities, contributing meaningful action while learning important skills in project management and development.

02. Environmental projects

Volunteers work with local experts on environmental conservation projects that support the protection of local wildlife and biodiversity. While on their project volunteers live within nature and learn about the importance of nature conservation and climate change, giving them a grounding in environmental issues and sustainability.

03. Adventure Leadership Trek

The adventure leadership trek gives young people the opportunity to take on a physical challenge hiking through stunning but difficult terrains with their team. On trek young people work together to navigate their surroundings, building skills in leadership, teamwork, confidence and resilience as they conquer the physical demands of this adventure challenge. .

Which Expedition is right for me?

We have a range of programme lengths and countries, no wonder it’s hard to decide which programme to do! Take our quiz to get a helping hand in figuring out which programme will suit you best

TAKE QUIZ

What our volunteers say

80

of 2023 Volunteers rated their Expedition as 4/5 stars or higher

97

of 2023 Volunteers think that Raleigh Expedition has given them new skills to build personal or professional development.

90

of 2023 Volunteers felt that their community project contributed a lasting change

What our Raleigh volunteers say

Hear from our past Raleigh alumni's life changing experiences

“The effect it had on me was profound…on returning I completely changed my career and then went back on Raleigh as a Volunteer Manager. Twenty years later I draw on those experiences regularly both in my professional and personal life.”
AlisonRaleigh Alumni

“Before I was an introverted, shy person and now I am talking with other people without hesitation. Before, I was only comfortable sitting with a group of two or three people but now, I’m able to speak within a group of 20 or 30.”
BikalRaleigh Alumni

“It’s been an opportunity to grow as a person in ways that you wouldn’t think possible. It makes you more aware of the world that you live in. I remember coming back from the mountain trek and looking around; I thought about how sad it is how man changes the world so easily. So, it’s important to go back to your roots, to the proper wild, and experience it.”
FreddyRaleigh Alumni

“I was a kid that had barely left Manchester…I quickly realised that a regional accent, schooling, job prospects didn’t define you. It’s your actions, how you relate to people, building relationships, resilience and your ‘bounce-back-ability’ that do that. My experience with Raleigh really change the direction of my life for the better and gave me the confidence to run my own business.”
TonyRaleigh Alumni

Costa Rica Expedition FAQs

Frequently asked questions about Raleigh Expedition in our Costa Rica locations

Will I need to do any training before I arrive?

All volunteers are invited to attend a Pre-Expedition Training Event to meet other volunteers and here more about Expedition.

We recommend you learn as much Spanish as you can before you come; this will make communicating with members of the community and partner organisations easier. We also recommend practising hiking in preparation for the trek, but this is not necessary.

What sort of food will I be eating?

Raleigh provides dry and fresh food, and volunteers rotate to cook for the group. The staple food in Costa Rica is rice and beans, which can be accompanied by different vegetables and proteins. Tropical fruits are delicious and very sweet, and we eat them frequently.

How far in advance should I book?

We recommend you reserve your place between 5 to 6 months before, although we can accept applications up to three months prior to departure.

How much money do I need to take with me?

Bringing some money is advised as you may occasionally get snack cravings (like we all do). You can also use this money for any drinks and souvenirs you want to purchase. For more information, speak to the expedition team or volunteer coordinators.

Read all FAQ's

Need more information about Expedition?

Consultation call

Whether you have a specific question or want to discuss which Expedition is right for you, schedule a call with a member of the team at a time convenient to you.

Book a call

Join an info event

On our monthly online info events, we’ll tell you all about Expedition. Have your questions answered, meet other volunteers and find out what Expedition is really like from an alumni.