The Explorer
12 weeks: Language study in Europe and service learning in Thailand
12 weeks: Language study in Europe and service learning in Thailand
The Explorer is ideal for the traveler who is passionate about languages, culture, and social impact. You’ll return home with a deeper understanding of the world and your place in it.
You’ll spend the first part of your semester touring Europe and living in the heart of a European city. Your journey will then take you to Thailand for a radically different experience. From the bustling night markets of Bangkok to the elephant sanctuaries of Chiang Mai, you’ll explore the Land of Smiles and learn how its citizens are paving the way for a brighter future.
Gap Semester 12 Weeks
Every EF Gap Semester program kicks off with a guided, culturally immersive tour of four iconic European cities: London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Barcelona. Bond with your cohort as you explore these cities and make lifelong memories together.
Study a language at an EF Language School located in the heart of a city where the language is spoken. Accelerate your learning by interacting with locals outside of class.
Languages offered: French in Nice, Spanish in Barcelona, Italian in Rome, German in Berlin
Learn about the landscape of sustainable development in Thailand and collaborate with local social enterprises in furthering community goals: such as elephant conservation, youth outreach, and rural development.
Our gap semester programs culminate with a transformative series of workshops and seminars led by experts in business and international relations. Reunite with the rest of your cohort to reflect on your gap, develop a post-gap plan for success in college and your career, and say goodbye to everyone during a gala farewell banquet and awards ceremony.
EF Gap Semesters depart in September and January every year.
Fall 2021:
Sep. 17 - Dec. 3
Spring 2022:
Jan. 22 - Apr. 9
Tuition for this 12-week program is $18,500, and scholarships are available. Tuition includes:
Choose where to learn a language. EF Language Campuses are located at the heart of these world-class cities.
This sun-soaked, cultural gem of the French Riviera combines old-world grandeur and lively street life.
This seaside city will sweep you off your feet with its world-famous dining, architecture, and energetic culture.
Italy’s mesmerizing capital city teems with historical ruins, mega-famous art, and bustling street life.
Lose yourself in the culture and art of this trendy, diverse European capital city.
Take your time in Thailand so you can soak up the succulent street food, ancient ruins, ultramodern cities, and sustainable agrarian communities. On your gap, you’ll work with local NGOs and community members to conserve its precious natural environment, join sustainable community development efforts, and help care for elephants.
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.