An update about COVID-19 | Learn more
Make this your year.
See the world and discover your passions on our customizable, global gap year program. Travel, learn a language, participate in service learning, and intern around the world for a semester or school year.
An experience that prepares you for life
Our gap year isn’t an alternative to college. It’s about preparing yourself to make the most of college—and in many ways, the rest of your life.
Grow personally
Become more mature, confident, and independent—and define your life path.
Gain global skills
Learn a language, become more globally aware, and gain professional experience abroad.
Travel the world
See the world outside your bubble and gain a totally new perspective.
Prepare for your future
Become more ready for the next stage of your life, whether that’s college or your career.
Select your program
Gap Year
(25 weeks)
The full global citizenship experience, with 3 customizable modules.
Gap Semester
(12 weeks)
Mix and match 2 custom modules in the destinations of your choice.
Costa Rica Immersion NEW
(8 weeks)
Language study and service learning in tropical Costa Rica. This fall only.
Choose your adventure
Learn more about our program offerings below.
European Immersion
Every EF Gap Year and Semester kicks off with a two-week immersion in European culture. Gain insider access to London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Barcelona by traveling in a professionally guided group of young people.
Internship Experience
Choose the city where you’d like to live and work: Bangkok, Berlin, Dublin, Madrid, Seville, Seoul, Sydney, Paris, or Tokyo. By the end of your gap, you’ll have real professional experience abroad to add to your resume.
Language Study
Take an immersive language course at a fully accredited EF school in the heart of a city where you’ll be surrounded by native speakers. Our proven method can help you advance one official fluency level during your course.
Australia & New Zealand Immersion
Students on our yearlong program reconvene after the holiday break and set off on the ultimate road trip: a three-week immersion “down under.” Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, learn about Aboriginal culture, and see the breathtaking natural beauty of New Zealand.
Service Learning
Be a force for good in the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Peru, Tanzania, or Thailand. You could improve water and food supplies, build new schools and housing, provide educational opportunities for local youth, and preserve the natural environment.
EF Leadership Academy
Your EF Gap Year or Semester culminates in a series of leadership workshops, seminars, and simulations led by experts in management and international business. Learn the 21st-century global leadership skills you’ll need to stand out in college and your career.
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 successfully delivered on that promise for millions of students.
55
YEARS OF OPERATION
612
SCHOOLS & OFFICES
114
COUNTRIES & REGIONS
50,000+
EMPLOYEES WORLDWIDE
Photos from the road
Follow our Instagram @efgapyear to see photos and stories from our students’ gap year travels!
Upcoming events
We’re staying home, but we’re still making plans. Stay connected and informed by joining us virtually on upcoming live webinars.
Wednesday June 3, 2020:
Gap Year 101
Explore the world in an hour! This webinar is a time for you to learn what a gap year is, hear how EF's customizable gap year and semester programs work, and ask any questions you might have.
This presentation is a way to learn about the amazing benefits of a global gap year from the comfort of your home. Whether you're a student, parent, or counselor, this session is for you!
Wednesday June 10, 2020:
Becoming a Gap Year Advocate in Your School
This session is targeted specifically at those who work at a high school and are interested in being a resource and advocate for students interested in pursuing a gap year.
The presentation will provide participants with a better understanding of a gap year, research that shows the benefits of a gap, and resources that can help them better advise their students on their post-graduation options.
