Schedule of events
The schedule outlined here is intentionally a mix of structured activities that will help you reflect and prepare for your return, conversations with inspiring EF employees, and free time for you to enjoy each other’s company. And of course, this is also a time to celebrate! We will be celebrating all that you have achieved and accomplished throughout your time on the program.
All Day: Arrivals to Lisbon
EF Tour Directors will meet you at the Lisbon airport to bring you to the hotel. Enjoy free time exploring Lisbon if you arrive earlier in the day!
Hotel: Sana Malhoa
7:30pm-10:30pm: Dinner
A buffet dinner will be served at the hotel from 7:30-10:30pm
7:00-10:30: Breakfast at the hotel
Morning: Free/rest time
2pm: Orientation Walk with Tour Directors
Visit some of Lisbon’s must-see sights: Castle St. George, Monasterio do Jeronimo, Belem
7:00pm: Welcome Dinner
Dinner will be at Restaurant Pano de Boca, a 5 minute walk from the hotel.
7:00-9:00: Breakfast at the hotel
9:00-9:30am: Opening & Welcome
Get energized and ready to start your wrap-up week!
9:30-10:00am: Small Group Challenge
Work with a small group on a surprise challenge that will get you up, moving, and maybe a little bit hungry!
10:00-10:15am: Break
10:15-10:45: Gap Roller Coaster Activity
Take some time to reflect on the highs and lows of your gap experience — and what you’ve learned from both.
10:45-11:45am: Global Citizenship, Then & Now
How have you grown throughout your Gap Semester? Get up and moving to explore your growth, as an individual and as a cohort.
12:30-1:30pm: Lunch at the hotel
1:30-2:15pm: Break
2:30pm: Depart for Tuk Tuk Challenge
The Tuk Tuk Challenge is an incredible way to see Lisbon and compete alongside your teammates to complete a scavenger hunt challenge! Grab your team of 6 and pile into your very own tuk tuk (a 3-wheeled, open air vehicle) to bounce around Lisbon and complete challenges. The winning team gets a special prize!
You are in a group of up to 6 people for the Tuk Tuk Challenge. Please look at the bottom of this page to find your group. One person in the group is designated as the group’s captain. Note that these groups are set and cannot be changed.
5:30pm: Tuk Tuk Challenge ends at Time Out Lisboa
The Tuk Tuk Challenge will wrap up near the location of Time Out Lisboa, where the group will meet up to have dinner.
5:30pm: Dinner at Time Out Lisboa
Time Out Lisboa is a market for you to explore and try all sorts of amazing local and international food options for you to explore!
When you arrive, your Tour Director will give you a special Time Out card pre-loaded with 20EUR that you can use at any of the vendors in the market. Note that the card will be automatically rejected if the total amount is greater than the balance on the card. You must return your card to your Tour Director either after you eat or the next morning, as there is a 5EUR deposit on each card that the Tour Director must return. Enjoy exploring!
7:00-9:00am: Breakfast
9:00-9:30am: Icebreakers & Warm-Up
9:30-10:30am: Tap Someone Activity
One of the most amazing parts of an EF Gap experience is the bonding with your group. This activity is all about appreciating each other and letting each individual know how much they mean to the group.
10:30-11:00am: Break
11:00am-12:00pm: Letters to Self
Spend some time writing a letter to your future self.
Afternoon/evening: Free time
Enjoy free time to explore Lisbon on your own! See the resources at the bottom of this page for inspiration.
7:00-8:30am: Breakfast
All-day: Excursion to Sintra & Portuguese Riviera
Sintra is one of Portugal’s most beautiful towns, known for its fairy tale castles and stunning natural scenery. We will spend a day visiting Sintra. Bring your cameras, walking shoes, and a rain jacket. Buses will depart from the hotel at 8:30am.
Lunch: Cash handout of 15 euros to grab lunch in Sintra
Evening: Dinner on your own.
The group will return to Lisbon for dinner. You are free to explore Lisbon and grab dinner on your own.
7:00-9:00am: Breakfast
Morning: Free time and lunch on your own
2:15-2:45pm: Gap in a Pack Activity
We’ll reflect on how you can bring your growth and personal development home with you.
2:45-3:30pm: Reverse Culture Shock & Returning Home
The transition back to life in the US comes with specific challenges and opportunities. We’ll talk through these and hear some advice from EF Gap alumni on how to navigate the process.
3:30-3:45pm: Thank-you Letters
Spend some time reflecting on the people that got you here and write some notes of appreciation.
3:45: Break
6:30pm: Depart from hotel for dinner
7:00pm: Prosecco Reception at Casa do Alentejo
8:00pm: Dinner at Casa Alentejo and Closing Speeches
7:00-9:00am: Breakfast
All day: Departures home
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Explore the city!
Lisbon has a lot to see, do, explore, and eat! While in Lisbon, you’ll have some free time to enjoy with your friends and exploring this magical city. Make this time your own!
Looking to explore Lisbon’s history & culture?
Get a peek into what life was like for Portugal’s opulent royalty at Ajuda National Palace
Ride one of Lisbon’s iconic streetcars
Go to a performance of Portugal’s famous fado music
Visit the National Tile Museum to learn about the convergence of cultures that made Portugal’s tiles so beautiful and world-renowned
You’re in Lisbon at the right time to visit one of Lisbon’s Christmas Markets, like the one at Campo Pequeno! (It opens on Wednesday, Nov. 30!)
Looking for the perfect photo op?
Visit the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, Lisbon’s highest spot with stunning views of the castle, city, and river
Wander the Alfama district and get some pics at Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Check out the gardens and views of Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara
Looking for the best bites?
Have a coffee at one of Lisbon’s old-school cafes, like Cafe a Brasileira, a favorite spot among historic Portuguese writers and intellectuals
Eat Portugal’s famous pastry, the pastel de nata, at the orgininal spot: Pasteis de Belem
Looking for an adventure?
Explore the street art and local artisans at LX Factory, a former industrial area converted into a hip market area
Ride up and over the city to enjoy the views from Elevador de Santa Justa
Tuk Tuk Challenge Teams
Captain: Caitlin Balón
Ella Green
Ajjon Zimmerman
Amelia Schulte
Meg Patrick
Everette McAffee
Captain: Haydn Giedzinska
Bea Cressler
Riley Grooms
Alia Liebowitz
Scott Van Hooser
Captain: Liliana Rademaekers
Nolan Dzubak
Fiona Carson
Hayden Vondracek
Theo Bakshi
Captain: Henry Blackburn
Kaleb Stevenson
Alex Bunch
Chandler Holm
Ava Bartholow
Captain: Gia Kalley
Juliet Holmboe
Georgia Cooperberg
Sidrah Kovan
Noah Allen
Captain: Kelsey Conover
Jasmine Hanson
Jayla Hanson
Andrew Deschenes
Ethan VanDerLinde
Virginia Tucker
Captain: Joti Kaur
Emerson Shreero
Ian Diaz
Chandler Peatross
Malia Kirton
Jake Burns
Captain: Jack Frauenhofer
Lauren Aldridge
Ellie Aldridge
Colby Scott
Matthew Dugger
Grace Cernak
Captain: Sam Liftin
Taryn Reilly
Sydnee Stires
Booker Johnston-Powell
Eden Pruce
Ellett Miller
Captain: Chisato Kamakura
Ryder Moses-rosenthal
Alex Crabbs
Kacey Jackson
Benjamin Skaer
Lukas Tralins
Captain: Rowan Scavezze
Cian Magauran
Matthew Robinson
Jasmine simmons
Sophia Eisman
Ava Osborne
Captain: Reagan Deverka
Elyse Rogers
Thomas Sokolowski
Ruby Cordoza
Morgan Tisdale
Staff
Meet the EF Gap Year staff that will be joining you at Wrap-Up!