Your EF Gap Year begins in England: attend Orientation in historic London. Get to know your cohort and prepare for 12 weeks of unforgettable adventures together.

Travel to Britain’s bustling metropolis, a cultural hub of historic happenings, to gain a nuanced understanding of the British Empire’s legacy and the lasting effects of imperialism in the UK. Embark on a guided walking tour, explore the British Museum, and attend a workshop at Bletchley Park, home of Britain's World War II codebreakers.

Take the train to Paris to set sail on a scenic cruise on the River Seine, stroll through the gardens of Versailles, and spend an afternoon in the Louvre! Examine France’s history with migration, race, and multiculturalism as you explore the city on foot with a walking tour focused on understanding the Black experience in France, then meet with a local non-profit addressing some of the country's modern-day challenges.

Discover Florentine cuisine on a food tour, learn to make Italian food in a cooking class, and visit an olive oil and wine producer to develop a greater understanding the role of agriculture on Italy’s economy in the global market. Travel to the Tuscan towns of Siena and San Gimignano, then explore Italy’s capital city with your cohort on an excursion to Rome.

Travel to Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city, to experience the “Playground of Europe” for yourself: explore the country’s natural landmarks as you enjoy a boat tour of Zurich, a day trip to Lucerne, and an excursion to the Swiss Alps. Learn how Switzerland has capitalized on its geography to foster a thriving tourism industry by visiting the EF office and the Finanzmuseum.

Marvel at Munich's Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Eisbach Wave on a guided sightseeing tour, then shape your understanding of the city's evolution throughout the centuries, from its growth from a medieval market town into a flourishing metropolis. Learn about world-renowned German engineering by visiting a car factory and a local company. Travel to Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial and take a day trip to the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle.

Explore the cultural, historical, and societal differences between Prague and other cities you’ve visited in Western Europe as you sightsee at the Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, and the medieval Astronomical Clock. Enjoy a musical performance and take a day trip to Kutna Hora to discover the role of the arts in this city’s cultural identity.

Gain an appreciation for Melbourne's arts, cuisine, and culture on food and street art walking tours. Take a day trip to Phillip Island to see the Penguin Parade and Koala Conservation Center, then develop a dynamic understanding of Melbourne’s colonial history and how waves of immigration have shaped the city’s culture.

Fly from Sydney to Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef! Visit an underwater observatory and snorkel with a marine biologist in the world’s largest underwater coral reef system. Learn about conservation on a day trip to the Daintree Rainforest, then examine the ways Aboriginal cultural practices prioritize sustainable practices and learn from the Indigenous Kuku Yalanji people.

See Sydney by guided walking tour and harbor cruise, then visit a permaculture farm. Learn about the burgeoning tech and robotics industry in Australia, then take time to appreciate Sydney's unique ecosystems as you learn to surf at Manly Beach.

Bangkok offers a feast for all five senses: see religiously significant sites such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun, then unpack Thailand’s food culture—from production and farming to the economy of street food—with a visit to the world-famous floating markets, a Thai cooking class, and sampling all you can eat on an evening walking tour to Chinatown.

See the unique ecosystems of Krabi and come to understand the challenges that face the coral reefs, mangroves, and dugong population. Develop skills relating to permaculture and sustainable living through immersion and service learning work with a local NGO. Travel around the islands by longboat, exploring the coastal geography of Krabi and the surrounding islands through the lenses of conservation, economy, and tourism.

Work with a nonprofit to combat exploitative animal tourism and learn about elephant nutrition, habitat conservation, and general well-being through service learning. Take an excursion to Mu Koh Lanta National Park and take a day reflecting on the adventures of first semester with your cohort ahead of your departure for winter break.

Head home for the holidays to recount your epic adventures from Semester 1 and rest up ahead of Semester 2.

Attend classes at the EF International Language Campus of your choice. Stay in a residence with other students and enrich your experience with community engagement opportunities coordinated by an on-the-ground EF staff member, such as volunteering, visiting local businesses, and/or participating in cultural activities. Enjoy free time during your evenings and weekends to explore on your own.

Discover what it’s like to live and learn abroad in...
- Barcelona, Spain (Spanish)
- Munich, Germany (German)
- Nice, France (French)
- Rome, Italy (Italian)
- Tokyo, Japan (Japanese)
- Seoul, South Korea (Korean)

Students who choose language learning for Semester 2 will engage with topics such as cross-cultural communication, global citizenship, and navigating new languages.

Experience what it’s like to intern overseas in the global city of Stockholm, Sweden: establish professional connections, gain introductory business skills, and work on projects while living independently abroad. You’ll live in apartment-style accommodation and be responsible for managing your own time; outside of work, enjoy free time to explore your host city.

Students who choose an international internship for Semester 2 will focus on developing their leadership style, navigating global workplace culture, and time management.

Attend a transformative series of activities, reflections, and workshops to reflect on your EF Gap Year. Celebrate your accomplishments and adventures with your cohort, then return home ready for what's next.