Before and beyond college, Baret Scholars explores 7 regions of the world, their passions, and their purpose.
Baret Scholars is a global gap year program that brings together a cohort of 180 gap year students from around the world to journey across 7 regions (North and South America, Europe, Africa, Middle East, India, and China/Asia), over 180 days, in a semi-structured and self-guided gap year experience.
This will be their best year yet
Baret Scholars is a global learning journey for students taking time before or during college to explore the world with purpose. Over 10 months, students live and learn in seven world regions: New York, São Paulo, Paris, Istanbul, Nairobi, Delhi, and Beijing.
Inspired by Jeanne Baret—the first woman to circumnavigate the globe—the program fosters global awareness, cultural fluency, and personal growth through immersive, place-based learning.
Each city features a Morning Program with speakers ranging from Pulitzer-winning journalists to climate scientists and local activists, offering insight into career paths and regional challenges and perspectives.
Afternoons are open for Independent Exploration—volunteering, language study, local travel—and Seminars, like Starting Things, a class on entrepreneurship led by Baret’s founder, or Creative Writing, taught by one of our Fellows.
Each region ends with a Fellowship, a 7-day thematic deep dive in small groups. Recent examples include examining Brexit and post-colonial politics in London, climbing Kilimanjaro while studying conservation in Tanzania, and supporting tiger preservation in Madhya Pradesh.
Throughout the year, students are guided by a full-time Fellow through a structured advising program. The year culminates in a Capstone Project—a personal expression of each student’s global learning journey.
Baret Scholars offers a truly global, structured, and inspiring gap year—not a break from education, but a powerful extension of it.
Reviews For Baret Scholars Gap Year Program (9)
Life changing experience traveling the...
Reviewed
on Nov/23/2025
Life changing experience, traveling the world with 100 unique minds from over 40 countries, learning about everything, cultures, surroundings, people, history, politics, economis, art, everything you want. The world as your classroom
My gap year with Baret...
Reviewed
on Nov/16/2025
My gap year with Baret Scholars changed me in ways I never expected. I traveled to 10 countries, learned from hundreds of experts, and faced challenges that forced me to grow up fast. One of the moments I'll never forget was running out of fuel on the way to the Taj Mahal and relying on a village mechanic who didn't speak my language but still helped us with a smile. Moments like that taught me humility, openness, and how much kindness exists in the world.
I also had experiences that made me confront my own biases-like assuming my assigned roommate would be messy, only to discover he was more organized than I was. In China, I helped organize a photography exhibition with local artists, and their guidance showed me how powerful cross-cultural collaboration can be.
This year made me more mature, responsible, and aware of the world around me. I met people who shaped the way I think, pushed me to be better, and showed me how much I still have to learn. I'd recommend this program to anyone who wants a gap year that truly changes you-not just where you go, but who you become.
It has been a year...
Reviewed
on Nov/16/2025
It has been a year of learning about the world and where I stand within it. Making lifelong decisions and friends . And endless exploration .
The Baret route map featuring: New York, S~ao Paulo, Paris, Istanbul, Nairobi, New Delhi and Beijing makes you feel like you've been to every corner of the globe.
Wonderful speakers, fun events and activities and a community like no other.
When I abruptly decided to...
Reviewed
on Nov/15/2025
When I abruptly decided to apply for the program's first-ever cohort, I had no idea I was stepping into a path that would dramatically shape my perspective. Being selected as one of the scholars was just the beginning of this experience, from getting to know your peers from all over to actually end up going all over. The year became a rollercoaster of immersive experiences around the world, each new challenge, from the programs planned for you such as the Morning Program to the weekend trips planned with my friends, helped me understand the world from another perspective. This journey provided an eye-opening exposure to diverse ideas and cultures, from hiking to the highest peak of Africa to a conversation with UN representative in China, proving to be an unparalleled opportunity for both personal and professional development.
I never planned on taking...
Reviewed
on Nov/13/2025
I never planned on taking a gap year, but it was undoubtedly the best decision I could have made. I made lifelong friends, lived incredible experiences, and traveled the world for a year. I learned so much, grew in ways I never expected, and made hundreds of meaningful connections. A huge part of that growth came from being a Baret Scholar. Baret Scholars is unlike any other program I know about-you travel to so many places and see so many amazing things. Museums, architectural landmarks, cultural sites, design studios, and entire cities you've only ever read about suddenly become classrooms. You meet local experts, attend workshops, and have conversations with people who are shaping their fields. Every trip pushes you to think differently, question what you know, and understand the world from multiple perspectives. It's a program that challenges you, inspires you, and gives you experiences that stay with you long after the travel ends.
My gap year with Baret...
Reviewed
on Nov/11/2025
My gap year with Baret Scholars was a truly life-changing experience. It offered me the space and freedom to immerse myself in my interests and explore them hands-on with like-minded peers. From climbing Kilimanjaro to investigating politics in Washington, DC, and studying the flamenco guitar in Seville, no traditional classroom can match the depth of understanding that comes from the physical interactions I had at Baret. It brought me to the world and gave me the opportunity to organise and direct projects under the guidance of fellows, mentors, and morning program speakers. Baret is an excellent opportunity to learn about yourself and the world in a way you simply can't in an academic setting. I highly encourage anyone interested to apply.
To be honest I find...
Reviewed
on Oct/16/2025
To be honest, I find it very difficult to describe the programme in a few words. You will be travelling a lot and experiencing life out of a suitcase. At the same time, you have the chance to see the world from the perspective of the people who actually live there and build up unforgettable friendships. We have all encountered difficulties ranging from loneliness to deciding where to do your laundry. However, I am sure that everyone who embarks on the journey will overcome these challenges. Ultimately, it will help you grow. It has influenced the way I think and interact with people. It has changed the way I look at the world and my values. If you want to know more about it, please don't hesitate to send me an email :)(m.sturm@baretscholars.org)
A transformative experience that allowed...
Reviewed
on Oct/14/2025
A transformative experience that allowed me to understand and observe the world and how societies interact. It gave me perspective and helped me further develop my passions through an insightful exposure to different fields from experts in culture, film, politics and more.
My experience with Baret Scholars...
Reviewed
on Sep/22/2025
My experience with Baret Scholars was nothing short of life-changing. From the very beginning, I had access to some of the best teachers I've ever met and connected with them on a deeper level. They were all knowledgeable, inspiring, and genuinely invested in my personal growth. The program went above and beyond in every aspect, even down to accommodation; staying only in the best hotels in town made the journey not just educational but also deeply comfortable and enjoyable.
What impressed me the most was how Baret Scholars encouraged real-world impact and following and discovering "your personal journey". By the end of the program, I was able to establish my own NGO. The combination of top-tier mentorship, world-class living arrangements, and meaningful opportunities for social contribution makes Baret Scholars truly exceptional.
I can confidently say it was one of the coolest and most transformative experiences of my life and it will boost your life, your CV, but most importantly, yourself.
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Life changing experience, traveling the world with 100 unique minds from over 40 countries, learning about everything, cultures, surroundings, people, history, politics, economis, art, everything you want. The world as your classroom