Choose how long you want to travel. With year, semester, and short-term programs, there's an EF Gap experience for everyone.
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.
Annabel H., EF Gap Year Class of 2019 Boston University Class of 2023My 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.
David A., EF Gap Semester Fall '19 Harvard University '24My 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.
Hannah S., New York EF Gap Semester Class of Spring 2019I 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.
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.
Taking a gap year before or during college is an incredibly worthwhile experience. It can also be a complex decision. We strongly recommend speaking with someone on our admissions team as you determine which program or destinations are right for you.
Students on our 8-week Costa Rica Immersion program have returned home from their incredible stay in Costa Rica, where they took Spanish classes just steps from the beach at EF Playa Tamarindo and made meaningful change with local NGOs across the country.
Follow our Instagram account @efgapyear to watch our Sustainable Development in Costa Rica cohort’s adventures this summer.
