EF Gap Summer Itinerary

A fully-immersive 8-week summer gap program in Costa Rica

June 11, 2021 to August 7, 2021, for ages 18-22.

Make the most of your summer with our 8-week service and language program in Costa Rica. Sharpen your Spanish, make a hands-on contribution to a community and ecosystem in need, and earn college credit while you’re at it (IRL).

Module 1 Weeks 1-4

Language Immersion

4 Weeks Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Your program kicks off with a brief orientation, where you'll meet your fellow travelers and get to know San José before heading to Tamarindo for your 4-week accredited Spanish course.

You'll live in a homestay or the school residence, and take Spanish classes at our gorgeous EF campus. Classes are typically a few hours a day, giving you plenty of time to explore and hang out with friends. Did we mention campus is just steps away from the Pacific Ocean?

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Module 2 Weeks 5-8

Service Learning

4 Weeks San Jose and Corcovado, Costa Rica Service & Sustainability

Collaborate with local social enterprises to support community efforts and protect endangered species. Highlights include sea turtle conservation in Corcovado National Park, rain forest exploration at Manuel Antonio National Park, and English teaching and after school mentorship in San José.

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Module 3 Week 8

EF Leadership Academy

3 Days San Jose, Costa Rica

Wrap up your Costa Rican immersion with a three day Leadership Academy where you’ll reflect on your experiences and how you can apply what you’ve learned to your future—and hone your global leadership skills.

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Earn College Credit

You could earn up to six semester hours of credit through our educational partnership with Southern New Hampshire University. Enroll in the corresponding courses at SNHU to receive credit for your participation in our program:

Language and Cultural Fluency
(3.0 CREDITS)
View Syllabus

Civil Service in Modern Society
(3.0 CREDITS)
View Syllabus

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Program Fee

Tuition for this 8-week program is $12,500, and scholarships are available. Tuition includes:

  • Airfare & Transportation

    Round-trip flights and local transfers to each stop in your itinerary

  • Room & Board

    Your accommodations and some of your meals on the trip

  • Classes & Activities

    Language classes, service projects, and excursions led by local guides

  • Global Support Network

    One-on-one mentorship and travel support before and during your program

  • Language Classes

    Tuition for 4-week course at EF's accredited language school


Risk-free cancellation means you can book with confidence.

Thinking about traveling in the coming year? Our flexible booking policies and risk-free cancellation options mean that you can book your gap experience with confidence. For more details, speak to one of our EF Gap Year Advisors, or see our full booking conditions here.

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Get in touch. Speak with an EF Gap Year Consultant.

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