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Embrace your adventurous side as you explore the natural wonders of Australia and discover the rich cultures of Thailand and Japan.
Learn about yourself, the world, and yourself in the world as you embark on a 10-week journey navigating three distinct countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Experience the lush environments of Australia, get your hands dirty working on an elephant conservation project in Thailand, and explore the way culture and religion connect in Japan.
Upcoming travel dates:
Spring 2025: February 5–April 16, 2025
Fall 2025: September 5–November 14, 2025
Program Itinerary
Note: This itinerary is subject to change due to availability and local conditions at the time of departure.
Australia
3 Weeks
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Melbourne: Intro to Aussie Culture
Travel from your home city to the modern metropolis of Melbourne, Australia. Get to know your cohort while discovering the city's unique urban culture, then take a street art walking tour. Experience the Penguin Parade at Philips Island, and the rugged beauty of the Great Ocean Road.
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Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef: Going Down Under (the Sea)
Arrive in the city of Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef! Spend a day snorkeling in the world's largest coral reef system with a marine biologist. Enjoy relaxing vibes in Cairns, and get your adrenaline pumping with a rafting experience through the rainforest.
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Port Douglas & Mossman Gorge
Head to Port Douglas, one of Australia’s most spectacular beach towns. Visit Mossman Gorge and the Daintree Rainforest, where you’ll learn about conservation and sustainable practices, and the Indigenous communities that live there.
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Sydney: Soaking Up the Sun
Travel from Cairns to the cosmopolitan city of Sydney. Sight-see in the capital of New South Wales and visit the iconic Opera House, world-class beaches, and yacht-studded harbor. Embrace Aussie culture as you take a surf lesson on Manly Beach.
Thailand
4 Weeks
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Bangkok: Cuisine & Culture
Thailand's vibrant capital city is known for its floating markets, food culture, street life, and timeless temples, offering a feast for all five senses. Explore all the city has to offer with your local Tour Director.
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Chiang Mai: Temples & Mountain Life
Take a night train to Chiang Mai in the mountains of Northern Thailand. Explore some of the stunning temples and learn about the unique cultural, culinary, and linguistic traditions of of Northern Thailand. Spend two days participating in service learning focused on environmental conservation.
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Krabi: Coastal Environmentalism
Make memories learning about, engaging with, and relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Krabi, home to iconic islands known for their beautiful coral-fringed beaches, mangroves, and rainforests.
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Koh Lanta: Elephant Conservation
Head from Krabi to nearby island Koh Lanta. Work with a local non-profit on their elephant conservation efforts. Learn about the ethics of animal protection.
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Bangkok: Wrap-up
Wrap up your Thailand travels back in Bangkok. Enjoy free time to explore more of this bustling city: expand your palate, explore the night markets, and tour the temples. Celebrate your adventures with a closing group dinner before jet-setting off to Japan!
Japan
3 Weeks
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Tokyo: City of the Future
Spend several days absorbing the unbelievable city of Tokyo, Japan's capital that mixes the traditional with the ultra-modern. Visit Buddhist shrines, take a walking tour through the bustling commercial center of Shibuya, practice rolling sushi at a sushi making class, and spend free time exploring on your own.
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Hakone: Iconic Volcano Views
Travel west of Tokyo to Hakone, a mountainous town located in Japan's Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Enjoy scenic views of the iconic Mt. Fuji from a cable car, and take a boat ride on Lake Ashinoko.
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Kyoto: Japan's Religious & Cultural Heritage
Explore the castles and temples of Kyoto, Japan's religious and cultural capital. Take a Zen meditation class, enjoy free time to explore this historic city on your own, and visit nearby Nara to see its famous park filled with sacred deer.
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Hiroshima: Understanding the Past, Present, & Future
Visit Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park & Museum to learn about the dark history and bright future of this city. Take a boat to Miyajima, Island of the Gods.
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Osaka: Wrap-up
Spend time exploring the port city of Osaka, Japan's culinary capital. Take an unforgettable trip to Japan's Universal Studios. Enjoy a celebratory closing meal with your cohort and reflect on your growth throughout the course of your program.
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Our commitment to safety
When you need us most, we’re always close: EF Gap Year students are supported by multiple layers of staff throughout their experience abroad.
Learn more about on-program Safety & Support, from our on-the-ground Student Life Coordinators and Tour Directors to our 24/7 Safety & Incident Response team.
Ready to get started?
Our Gap Year Consultants are ready to answer any questions you have and enroll you on our program.
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