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12 Helpful Gap Year Application + Program Interview Tips

Published on November 29, 2018

Here’s the secret recipe for nailing your gap year program applications! ☆ So you’ve decided to take the plunge, break the norm, and explore the world through a gap year abroad! We aren’t surprised. Gap year programs are awesome, whether you’re looking for more time to grow as a person and figure out what you want out of this wonderful life, or you’re just hoping to break up the monotony of a routine lifestyle. No matter when or where you choose to do a gap year program abroad, you’re bound to benefit from the skills, knowledge, and inspiration that come with it. 

person standing with backpack on

Get ready to take the plunge and apply for your gap year!

One of the hardest parts of planning your gap year abroad is choosing and applying for the program. After all, there are so many destinations and ways to spend a gap year abroad – from interning, to volunteering, to working abroad – and the application process can be intense and time-consuming. Luckily, GoAbroad wants to help.  

We’ve got all the best advice to excel during your gap year program interview, so you can nail the application process and be on your way to exploring the world. 

You’ve found the perfect program. YAAAS!

You’re one step closer to the adventure of a lifetime! You’ve found the program of your dreams and can’t wait to hop on that plane and start collecting passport stamps. With endless gap year program opportunities, this is often one of the most difficult parts of the process for most travelers. Now you’re one step ahead, and there’s only one thing standing between you and that ticket: the application and interview. 

While it might seem like a long road ahead, throw your stress away because we’ve got your back. With GoAbroad’s gap year application tips, you’re going to blow any interviewer away!  

girl running and smiling in front of building

You’ll be running toward the best year of your life with these tips!

Here’s our best advice to be a memorable applicant & get admitted to the program of your dreams 

Grab a pen and take some notes on gap year program interview tips and application advice. #starstudent  

1. Visualize your goals. 

What do you want to accomplish, achieve, and learn through your gap year program abroad? No matter if you’re applying for a job, internship, or volunteer program abroad, your interviewer wants to see that you have ambition. You’re a go-getter and you can bring just as much to this gap year program as it can bring to you. 

Set your goals and visualize them. If you have passion and motivation, it will shine through in your gap year application. Not only will it be easier to sell yourself in your application and interview, but visualization is the best way to make your dreams a reality. The clearer the image in your head, the more likely it is to make itself manifest!  

2. Dedicate time to the application process. 

person wearing watch with laptop in corner

Give your time and effort now and it will pay off in the end.

While gap year program applications can be tedious and time-consuming, it’s important to set aside time to make your gap year application shine. Commit yourself to the application process by perfecting your application, editing it with keywords specific to the gap year program requirements. 

Focus on one section at a time and put your all into it. Taking the application process step by step will make it less daunting. You’ll be able to focus on each section individually to ensure it perfectly answers the questions and sums up your skills and motivation for the program.  

3. Check for typos. 

While it may not seem like the biggest deal to have a word or two out of place, it can seriously make or break your gap year application. Your gap year application is your opportunity to get your foot in the door, impress, and land an interview. It needs to be PERFECT! 

Before submitting your gap year application, proofread! Take a break from the application and come back the next day with fresh eyes so you can read your application from start to finish. This way you’ll be able to catch small mistakes you may not have seen before and ensure the application is easy to read and reflects your passion. 

You may even call your Grammar Nazi friend to read it through as a favor!  

4. Pay attention to deadlines. 

Gap year program applications have deadlines for a reason, guys. Part of the application process is showing you are organized, adaptable, and committed to the program and the process to get you there. Even though you haven’t been accepted into your dream program yet, the application process is a trial run for you to demonstrate your capability of excellent performance. 

If you miss deadlines, it shows the gap year program that it isn’t a priority for you. The ones who make it to the interview stage are only those who are committed to the entire process.  

5. Do your research! 

You’ve landed the interview: now it’s time for research, research, and research some more! This is the key if you want to succeed at your gap year program interview. After all, the goal of the interview process is to “wow” your interviewer. If you appear well-prepared and knowledgeable about the program and destination, this will only boost your gap year application. 

 There are tons of outlets to use while researching your program. Use them all! Research the website, read reviews and testimonials, spend some time with Google to find out even more about the destination and what makes this program the right fit for you. Even better, if you have friends or know alumni who have participated in similar gap year programs, get in touch with them for more gap year application tips.  

6. Look and sound your best. 

woman on phone smiling

Look the part and nail the interview!

You’ve landed the interview! Now it’s time to focus on your physical appearance. First things first: you’ll need to find out if your interview will be in person or via skype. Most gap year programs abroad will involve skype interviews, since you’ll often be speaking with someone overseas. Make sure your room is tidy and you dress to impress.

If you’ll be chatting over the web, feel free to leave your PJ bottoms and slippers on, but from the waist up you should look professional and put together!  

6. Double check your Skype connection. 

There’s nothing worse than logging into skype, answering the call with your heart pounding, only to find that the camera doesn’t work, the microphone is disconnected, or the internet signal is choppy. While it may not be your fault, the best way to succeed at your gap year program interview is to prepare, and not knowing about the WiFi signal in your room at home shows you’ve failed to do your homework. 

Do a test run to practice. Call Mom or Dad, or a friend in another state, and make sure all is up and working: clear picture, clear sound, and a strong signal. If it’s not, find a spot in a cozy (quiet) café where you can do your interview uninterrupted.  

7. Show maturity. 

Maturity is one of the most important qualities for participating in overseas programs. The interviewer wants to see that you are grown up enough to travel abroad on your own and be a valuable asset to the program. The best advice to excel during your gap year program interview is to demonstrate that you are culturally aware and able to cope with change. 

Have you travelled abroad before? You may want to discuss these experiences and how you handled integrating into different cultures. If not, there are other ways to show your maturity with examples to your past work and education experience. 

8. Highlight your understanding of group dynamics. 

Whether you are interning, volunteering, or working abroad, you’ll be surrounded by other international travelers at some point during your time abroad. You’ll be working alongside program coordinators, too, so in order to succeed at your gap year program interview, you’ll need to show off those people skills. 

Think of times when you’ve worked in groups or demonstrated teamwork and express the importance in your interview. Show you can work well with others and understand that a group dynamic is the key to success.  

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Think about your best traits. You’re a cool person, you got this!

9. Know your strengths. 

One of our best gap year application tips is to know your strengths. Think of five or six of your best attributes and focus on how these will benefit you during your gap year abroad. These will be the reason you’ll be accepted over other applicants in the interview process. 

To prepare, take some time to remind yourself what you are good at, and be prepared to discuss your key strengths in detail, giving examples throughout the application process. If you’ve done your homework researching the company, you’ll be able to align these strengths with the key traits they look for in an applicant. Show your interviewer that you’re amazing and the perfect fit for this gap year program abroad!  

10. Ask questions.

If you want to succeed at your gap year program interview, part of your preparation will involve brainstorming questions to ask during your interview. In fact, you never want to leave the interview process without asking questions. Not only does it show that you’ve done your research prior to the interview, but it also expresses your enthusiasm and passion for THIS program over any other.  

Avoid superficial small talk, and ask real questions about the program, the core values, and the next steps in the application process.  

11. Be confident. 

woman in sunglasses standing confidently

Confidence is key, unlock yours!

If you’re going to take any of GoAbroad’s gap year application tips to heart, it should be this: confidence will take you anywhere you want to go. Breathe in confidence throughout the entire application process, from filling out your application to “wowing” your interviewer. Not only will it impress the interviewer, but confidence tells the universe your deserve this. 

Ever heard of the law of attraction? It says if you believe you can, then you will! You CAN do this: you can nail the interview, land the job, get accepted into the program of your dreams just by believing it is possible.  

12. Follow up. 

Not everyone will follow up after their interview, but this final touch will make you stand out just a little more than your competition. After your interview is finished, let out that sigh of relief you’ve been holding on to, and send a quick email to your interviewer. Thank them for their time and make a final expression of interest for the opportunity ahead. It will re-emphasize your passion and enthusiasm for the program and leave a lasting impression on the program provider. 

You'll be the first one they think of when sending out acceptance letters!  

Get out there & secure your spot in your gap year program 

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Yay! Your determination is about to pay off with an amazing gap year program!

Opportunity and adventure are waiting for YOU! While committing to a gap year abroad can be a big step and gap year program applications can be daunting, GoAbroad knows you have it in you. With time, dedication, preparation, and confidence, nothing can stand in your way. 

With all the best advice to excel during your gap year program interview, the application process will be a cinch. So throw those worries aside and take these helpful gap year application tips to heart. Break out of your comfort zone and snag that spot in the gap year program of your dreams! 

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