Paid Gap Year in Thailand

Live & Work as a Gap Assistant in a Thai International Boarding School

6 or 11 Months

Overview

All our Paid Gap Year placements are in leading international schools across Thailand, so there is no need to have a prior understanding of the Thai language.

Stunning coastlines, bustling metropolises and lush tropical rainforests. A land where old meets new, incredible food is served with the warmest of hospitality, and hidden gems are just waiting to be discovered. It’s no wonder that Thailand plays host to millions of visitors each year; the history and natural beauty of this South-East Asian country has long captivated the hearts and minds of those who venture to its shores.

Live in the Heart of Southeast Asia During Your Gap Year

Our Thailand paid gap year programs are designed for young people interested in the country’s rich cultural heritage. The program is available for individuals between ages 17 and 25 who want to take a paid and organised break before entering university or the workforce. A Gap Year programme in Thailand gives you time to explore and appreciate the stunning coastlines, excellent cuisine and opulent temples. Check our blog with a list of places you must visit when on a gap year in Thailand.

How Letz Live prepares you for your gap year

Letz Live connects you to an international school where English is the native language. We work with the most reputable schools that ease your transition into the Thai professional and social environment. If you want to know more about your gap year in Thailand you can check this link too.

So what's included in a gap year placement?

Placement at an International Thai School

Your placement as an assistant at a leading Thai school is carefully selected by the Letz Live team. Rest assured there will be a great placement ready for you, with well-equipped accommodation for your year ahead and your placement can be best suited to your attributes and skills.

Trusted & Reliable Work

We visit our host schools annually, to ensure their continued suitability to host our participants. This means we know everything about your school and are on a first-name basis with the teachers you will be working with.

Dedicated ‘Country Manager'

All Letz Live Country Managers have personally experienced their own gap year working in a school. Your country manager will be your key point of contact in the lead up to and throughout the full duration of your placement in Thailand.

Face-to-face visits from Letz Live

Your country manager will visit you on your placement. We believe it helps to see a friendly face, have a chat about your placement and general gap year progress.

Discounted Travel Insurance & Tours

Our inhouse travel team, Letz Travel stays in touch throughout your placement to assist with flights, insurance and holiday tour ideas throughout Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific and South East Asia.

International Money Transfers

We’ll assist you with international money transfers. Thailand Programme gap assistants receive 2 x complimentary international money transfers to help set you up.

Ongoing and Unlimited Support

We are only ever an email or phone call away. We are proud to support our gap assistants. We boast an Australian Headquarters, a team based in New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom. There is always a team ready to support our Gap community.

Dedicated Social Groups

Gain exclusive access to your Gap Year’s group page. The group aims to connect all gap assistants for each programme. It’s a great way to get to know who will be placed at your school or nearby and share plans throughout the year.

A Network of Gappies

Share, laugh, live and connect with past gappies via our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Life Experience

By living in another country, you are forcing yourself to take charge and gain independence. While we’ll be on hand to offer guidance, the thrill of blazing your own trail and making a life for yourself in a foreign setting is enormous, and the personal growth that you’ll experience is immeasurable.

Let us simplify the application process for you.

Applications for January 2024 have now closed.

Application close time!

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Departure

Placements commence in late January & mid July.

Duration

6 or 11 months available. Please note schools prefer a longer commitment (ie. 11 months).

Remuneration

Approximately AU$150 – AU$350 per week + food + accommodation.

Application and Programme Fees

All of our gap year programs are subject to a non-refundable application fee which is payable at the time of your online application. The application fee includes all costs associated with the processing of your application and interview.

Only applicants who are offered and subsequently accept a placement will be charged the remainder of the programme fee.

Origin	Application Fee	Programme Fee
Africa	AUD $125.00	ZAR = R24,995.00
Europe & United Kingdom	AUD $125.00	GBP = £1,350.00
Everywhere Else	AUD $125.00	AUD = $2,690.00
Returnee Participant	AUD $125.00	AUD = $1,500.00

Eligibility

Applicants for our Thailand Gap Year Program must:

Be aged between 17 and 25 years old at the time of their arrival into Thailand
Have a valid passport from their home country (United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada).
Have no serious pre-existing medical conditions
Have no prior convictions, with the ability to provide evidence as required
Have no serious food allergies (eg: nuts)

We regret to inform you that from January 2020, South African nationals are, no longer eligible for this programme.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find the answers to some commonly asked questions regarding our Thailand Gap Year Programme. Can’t find the answer to your question? Get in touch with one of our friendly team today and request an information pack!

What support is available to me whilst I'm in Thailand?

Throughout your placement, your designated Country Manager is available directly via telephone or email whenever you require; they’ll even come and visit you during your placement! In addition, you’ll have the ongoing support of our friendly and dedicated global headquarters team based in Queensland.

Do I need to speak Thai?

All our placements in Thailand are in international schools whereby English is spoken as a first language. The majority of school staff and a good proportion of students are expatriates from Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, South Africa, North America and the United Kingdom.

Is Thailand safe?

The short answer is ‘Yes’! Like anywhere that you travel, it’s always important to remain cautious of your actions and those around you to ensure that you stay safe. To date, we have not experienced any problems with participants in Thailand and do not anticipate any in the future.

What is the food & accommodation arrangement?

With each school catering specifically to western staff and students, the standard of food and accommodation offered as part of our Thailand Gap Year Programme is exactly as you would expect if you were placed in any of our western programs. However, you will of course be able to indulge in traditional Thai food if and when you please!

Where are the schools located?

Our partner schools are situated in cities located across the entire country of Thailand, including the beautiful countryside. Wherever you may be placed as part of your program, you can expect a culturally rich experience during your time in Thailand.

Will I be placed by myself?

Although highly unlikely, the number or participants depends greatly on the school. Each is different, with the smallest school hosting 3 participants at one time and the largest hosting 15 participants at one time.

What does the programme fee include?

The fee includes:

Your placement as an assistant at a leading international Thai school, carefully selected by our team (we visit our host placements annually to ensure their continued suitability to host our participants)
A position within a school that will pay you an allowance!
Food and accommodation for the duration of your placement (throughout term time)
Our famous ‘Orientation’ program which is held prior to the commencement of your placement
Orientation includes, 2 nights accommodation, meals, training course + you meet countless other participants!
A dedicated ‘Program Manager’ who will be your key point of contact in the lead up to and throughout the full duration of your placement with us
Ongoing and unlimited support from our team based in Australia
Local Thai mobile phone SIM card
Access to a variety of discounted tours throughout Thailand and Asia
Gappies support group to meet other participants prior to arriving

How the gap process works

Apply online

Send us your Gap Year application for your chosen destination & programme. It’s as simple as that!

Interview

Face-to-face online interview.
We discuss your preferences, the placement & the programme.

Offer accepted

We put forward your application with partner schools. It’s up to you to accept the offer, then pay the programme fee.

Take off

Our in-house travel team can assist with flights, advice, insurance & visas for a smooth start to your Gap Year.

Support

Vital ingredient!
Our Global HQ is available + our travel team for travel ideas + your country manager.

Thailand appeals to all travellers

Tourists come here for many different things. Some visit for the street food and spicy dishes. Some explore the remnants of centuries-old temples and shrines. Some go island hopping and scuba diving. These visitors have varying interests, but they all agree on one thing about their experience: it’s amazing.

A huge part of why tourists enjoy their stay so much is how pleasant Thais are. So, the tourist agency launched the slogan ‘Amazing Thailand’ to spread the mentality and hospitality that make the country, well, amazing.

Get a deep understanding of the reason behind this slogan by spending a gap year in Thailand.

Let us simplify the application process for you.

Immerse yourself in the Thai culture

Nick Hare, the founder of Letz Live, returned to Australia late in 2004 after a Gap Year in the UK. He made lifelong friends and learned immeasurable life lessons during his time away from home. He wants other young people to have a similar experience, with Letz Live making gap year preparation easier for you.

On a Gap Year programme, you get to spend an entire year living and working like a local. This gives you a better understanding of Thai culture than any tourist vacation can. Also, spending time on the other side of the world can help you have a better grasp of how things are at home and what you really want to do with your life.

Let our team take you on a journey of a lifetime. Fill out an application form to become a Gap Assistant in Thailand today.

If I’m not on the beach you will probably find me at the markets

Courtney F

Want to read more from past gap participants?

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