Make this your year.

Learn a language, participate in service learning, do an internship, and travel around the world on our customizable gap year program.

Apply Now
A year that prepares you for life

The gap year is not an alternative to college. It’s about preparing yourself to make the most of college—and in many ways, the rest of your life. Our innovative experiential learning model helps students discover their goals, while equipping them with the confidence and skills to get there.

Learn More
Become a global citizen

Travel the world, sharpen your language skills, and gain professional experience abroad.

Grow into your best self

Become a more confident, independent, and resilient version of yourself.

Define your life path

Return home with greater clarity about your goals and inner compass.

Gain a competitive edge

Enter college more socially and academically prepared, with life experiences under your belt.

Choose your adventure

How long do you want to be away? We offer three different program lengths.

EF Gap Year
25 weeks

The full global citizenship experience: language, service, and internship in one year.

View Itinerary
EF Gap Semester
12 weeks

Mix and match 2 custom modules in the destinations of your choice.

View Itinerary
Costa Rica Immersion(NEW)
8 weeks

Study Spanish and participate in service learning in tropical Costa Rica. This fall only.

View Itinerary
Customize your program modules

Explore the building blocks of our program.

European Immersion

Every EF Gap Year and Semester kicks off with a two-week guided tour of Europe. You'll visit London, Amsterdam, Paris, and finish in Barcelona.

Language Study

Take an immersive language course in the city of your choice. Study Spanish, Italian, French, German, Mandarin, Korean, or Japanese. Available as part of any program.

Service Learning

Collaborate with local social enterprises to support community efforts in Latin America, Africa, or Asia. Available as part of any program.

Internship

Live and intern in your choice of international cities and experience 9 to 5 working life. Available as part of EF Gap Year and Semester.

Australia / New Zealand

Set off on the ultimate road trip in the middle of your gap year: a three-week immersion Down Under. Available as part of EF Gap Year only.

EF Leadership Academy

All EF Gap programs culminate in a week of reflection, workshops, and seminars led by experts in business and international relations.

Pick Your Destinations

Choose from 21 destinations across Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Oceania.

View Destinations

Thailand

Dive into Thailand’s vibrant cities, striking natural beauty, and mind-blowing cuisine.

Paris

This iconic city is rich with Renaissance architecture, artistic giants, and buttery pastries.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is the world's eco-travel capital, full of adventure and beauty at every turn.

My gap year took me out of my comfort zone so many times—and my life is better because of it. Now, as I head off to college, I am able to focus on my excitement rather than feeling nervous, because I have built so much confidence within the past year. If anyone is searching for a path to follow, a way to achieve their goals, or even just who they are, they need to take a gap year.

Annabel H., EF Gap Year Class of 2019 Boston University Class of 2023

My gap semester made me a more confident person. With my new confidence and leadership skills, I feel more ready and mature when it comes to entering college in the fall.

David A., EF Gap Semester Class of Fall 2019 Harvard University

I am immensely grateful for the travel, service, and educational opportunities that EF has provided for me. Thanks to the emphasis our mentors placed on professional development, setting realistic goals, and career trajectory, I am both well-prepared and excited to start my freshman year of college.

Hannah S., New York EF Gap Semester Class of Spring 2019
The world leader in international education

When you travel with EF Education First, you travel with a global organization that has been in operation since 1965. EF’s mission has always been to open the world through education, and we’ve delivered on that promise for millions of students.

55

Years of operation

114

Countries and regions

654

Offices and schools

52,000

Staff, faculty, and teachers
Learn More
Risk-free cancellation means you can book with confidence.

Our policy ensures that EF Gap Year and Costa Rica Immersion students can cancel risk-free by August 31, 2020. EF Gap Spring Semester can cancel by October 31, 2020.

Learn More
Let's connect

Taking a gap year before or during college is an incredibly worthwhile experience, and it can also be a complex decision. Our Gap Year Consultants are ready to answer any questions you have and to help find the perfect program for you.

By submitting your information, you agree to allow EF to process your personal information in accordance with EF’s Privacy Policy and to allow the use of your data for direct marketing purposes. By entering your mobile number, you agree to receive recurring text messages about upcoming offers from EF Gap Year at the number provided and you understand that consent to receive marketing text messages is not a condition of purchase. You agree to all EF Texting Terms and Conditions.