Make this your year.

Thinking about alternatives to college this fall? Our global gap program lets you make the most of your time off.

EF Gap Year Programs

On a customizable EF Gap Year (25 weeks) or Semester (12 weeks), you can learn a language, participate in service learning, do an internship, and travel around the world.

EF Gap Year

25 weeks

The full global citizenship experience: language, service, and internship.

EF Gap Semester

12 weeks

Mix and match 2 custom modules (language, service, and/or internship).

Tile #3

8 weeks

Mix and match 2 custom modules (language, service, and/or internship).

Program Modules

We break up our programs into modules so you can build your perfect gap. You get to select the cities or countries where you’ll study, intern, and complete service learning projects.

European Immersion

Every EF Gap Year and Semester kicks off with a two-week guided tour of Europe. You'll visit London, Amsterdam, Paris, and finish in Barcelona.

Language & Culture

Live like a local while taking on an immersive language course in the city of your choice. Study Spanish, Italian, French, German, Korean, or Japanese.

Service & Sustainability

Be a force for good in the world and explore ways to make a real, hands on impact alongside communities in Latin America and Asia.

Business & Internships

Level up your resume with real-world experience at an international company while living independently in the global city of Stockholm, Sweden.

A year that prepares you for life

The gap year is not an alternative to college. It’s about preparing yourself to make the most of college—and in many ways, the rest of your life.

Become a global citizen

Travel the world, sharpen your language skills, and gain professional experience abroad

Grow into your best self

Become a more confident, independent, and resilient version of yourself.

Define your life path

Return home with greater clarity about your goals and inner compass.

Gain a competitive edge

Enter college more socially and academically prepared, with life experiences under your belt.

My gap year took me out of my comfort zone so many times—and my life is better because of it. Now, as I head off to college, I am able to focus on my excitement rather than feeling nervous, because I have built so much confidence within the past year. If anyone is searching for a path to follow, a way to achieve their goals, or even just who they are, they need to take a gap year.

Annabel H., EF Gap Year Class of 2019 Boston University Class of 2023

I was able to use my improved Spanish skills in Costa Rica. Service affected me deeply and translated into my future career path—now, I want to look at my future as much more purpose and philanthropy-based.

Diego O. EF Gap Year Class of 2020, Parsons School of Design Class of 2024

My internship in Sydney didn’t just teach me how to optimize digital content, or how to manage a new marketing campaign; I learned how to adapt in an environment so different from my own, and work effectively in a professional atmosphere.

Sophie T., EF Gap Semester Class of Spring 2019 Loyola University Chicago Class of 2021

Pick Your Destination

You get to decide where you'll immerse yourself in a new language, join an international company, and contribute to a local community.

Thailand

Spain