Canada attracts many travelers, students, and professionals every year thanks to its quality of life, diverse landscapes, and openness to the world.
Between dynamic cities such as Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, and wide-open natural spaces perfect for adventure, the country offers a unique balance between modernity and nature. The multicultural environment, efficient public services, and the warm welcome of Canadians make it easy to settle in, whether for a temporary stay or a long-term project.
Whether you want to study, work, travel, or get involved in a local project, Canada offers many opportunities for those who wish to have an enriching experience abroad.
Taking a gap year in Canada means choosing a stimulating environment in which to step back, gain maturity, and develop new skills. Whether through an internship, volunteer work,working or studying, Canada offers an ideal environment for learning in a different way, while discovering an open and welcoming culture.
With its wide open spaces, multicultural cities, and numerous professional opportunities, the country allows you to combine personal experience, cultural immersion, and CV enhancement. It is also an opportunity to perfect your English, gain independence, and enjoy a memorable human adventure before returning to your studies or entering the job market.
Learn more about gap year in general here.
Canada provides a safe and challenging environment for personal growth. From hiking in the Rockies and experiencing Indigenous cultures to interning in global cities like Toronto or Vancouver, a gap year in Canada can be both enriching and transformative.
Spending a gap year in Toronto is a dynamic way to experience Canada’s largest and most multicultural city. With endless opportunities for work, volunteering, and exploration, Toronto offers a vibrant mix of urban energy and cultural diversity.
From exploring iconic neighborhoods like Kensington Market and the Distillery District to day trips to Niagara Falls or Algonquin Park, a gap year in Toronto provides the perfect balance of adventure, personal growth.
A gap year in Montreal offers a unique blend of European charm and North American energy, making it an ideal destination for cultural immersion and personal growth. As a bilingual city where French and English are widely spoken, Montreal provides a rich linguistic and cultural experience.
With its affordable living costs compared to other major cities, diverse population, and renowned arts, food, and music scenes, Montreal is a compelling choice for anyone seeking adventure, independence, and new perspectives.
A gap year in Victoria, Canada, offers a peaceful yet enriching experience in one of the country's most picturesque and livable cities. Located on Vancouver Island, Victoria is known for its mild climate, stunning coastal scenery, and friendly, laid-back atmosphere. It’s an ideal place for outdoor enthusiasts, with easy access to hiking, kayaking, and whale watching, as well as opportunities to volunteer in environmental or community-focused programs.
A gap year in Vancouver offers the perfect balance of urban excitement and outdoor adventure in one of Canada’s most beautiful and diverse cities. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains, Vancouver is ideal for those who love nature, with easy access to hiking, skiing, and beach activities.
The city is also a hub for innovation, sustainability, and multiculturalism, making it a great place to work, volunteer, or take short-term courses. Whether you're exploring vibrant neighborhoods like Gastown and Kitsilano, joining local community projects, or just enjoying the laid-back West Coast lifestyle, a gap year in Vancouver is an inspiring way to gain new skills, make global connections, and grow personally and professionally.
Opting for a gap year in the countryside or in a small town means choosing a more authentic, human, and exotic experience. Far from the frenetic pace of big cities, the countryside allows you to reconnect with what matters most, live alongside the locals, and fully immerse yourself in the local culture.
It is also an ideal place to get involved in practical projects: farm work, environmental volunteering, hospitality, or responsible tourism. These calmer settings encourage initiative, independence, and in-depth learning, while offering a daily life close to nature.
Ideal for a gap year internship, the English course and ranch program in Canada is a guaranteed immersion in an English-speaking environment! If you like the great outdoors, wide open spaces, and you are not afraid of work, the ranch in Canada is for you!
After 2 days in Vancouver, help run a typical Canadian farm with a local family. This is an opportunity to experience professional and personal development, while considerably improving your English.
Learn more about the program Ranch internship in Canada!
Experience an incredible adventure in Canada for your gap year, where education and work intertwine in a life-changing program. Embrace a cutting-edge combination of academic learning from an accredited international college and practical training through internships.
This exclusive opportunity not only immerses you in a new culture but also propels you into the global job market. Discover what it’s like to study in Canada and embrace a new world as you grow professionally and personally.
Learn more about the program Study and Work Program in Vancouver!
This workplace readiness program is designed for international students seeking training in and knowledge of transferable soft skills for the international or Canadian workplace.
Students gain the essential industry knowledge and skills in customer service, hospitality, and tourism to allow them to be successful in entry to intermediate level positions in a broad range of related employment settings, for example, hotels, motels, resorts, restaurants, convention centres and on cruise ships.
Learn more about the program Study and Work in Canada in Hospitality.
With this program, you leave with a guaranteed job in the heart of the Canadian Rockies for a unique and rewarding experience. Several times a year, our partner offers hundreds of seasonal jobs lasting 3 to 6 months in ski resorts (Banff region) in the hospitality and food service sectors.
An ideal experience during a gap year to improve your English and work in an international environment while earning money to finance other projects.
Learn more about the program guarantee job program in Canada.
This program allows you to enroll in 3 months of intensive English courses at an accredited school, and you become eligible for a Working Holidays Visa to work in Canada. The schools are located in Toronto and Vancouver, perfect for immersing yourself in the country’s culture.
For those who want to find a job right after the 3-month course, the school places its students in hospitality and restaurant sector jobs (minimum 3-month contract) to help with a smooth and quick professional integration.
RealStep also offers a gap year program in Australia that combines language learning with hands-on experience across several unique projects. Participants can choose between working in hostels, joining a wildlife rescue center, or taking part in paid farm work after a short training period.
This flexible and immersive gap year experience is perfect for those seeking adventure, professional development, and meaningful cultural exchange, all while improving their English and exploring the best of Australia’s landscapes.
RealStep also offers a gap year in Japan where participants can live and work for up to a year with a Working Holiday Visa. This program provides an opportunity to earn money while gaining valuable international experience, with support from a team in Tokyo who handle administrative tasks and job placements.
Students can work in various fields, including tourism, hospitality, and education, and will have the chance to immerse themselves in Japanese culture. With on-site assistance, most participants find jobs within a month, making this an enriching and practical way to explore Japan.
A gap year offers an invaluable opportunity for anyone on a path of discovery, providing the time and freedom to explore passions and interests. This period away from formal education or employment can be used to travel, volunteer, work, or pursue personal projects, offering experiences that enrich personal growth and future career prospects.
Popular activities include adventure travel, language immersion, and impactful volunteer work, such as rescuing sea turtles or teaching children. Programs like those offered by RealStep can provide structured support and exciting options to make the most of this transformative experience.
Learn more about what to do during a gap year here.
Your length of stay depends on your visa type. For example, a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) typically allows you to stay up to 24 months, while other programs like study or short-term work permits may have different durations. Always check the latest immigration policies and visa terms before applying
Yes, international students can apply for internships in Canada, especially if they are enrolled in a program that includes a co-op or work-integrated component. If you’re coming for a gap year or through RealStep, many programs include internship placements in fields like hospitality, tourism, or agriculture, depending on your visa eligibility.
It depends on your current visa status and your future plan. Depending on the extension reason, you may be able to change your visa status. We recommend you to contact an accredited government agency.
One of the biggest advantages of doing a gap year is the freedom to explore the country. You’re not limited to just one location or one type of experience. Many participants combine several projects during their stay.
Thanks to Canada’s vast geography and great transport options, it’s easy to move from one province to another, discovering a wide variety of landscapes and cultures along the way. From city life to nature immersion, from work experience to language learning, your gap year can be as diverse and dynamic as you want it to be.
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