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Choose where to have an immersive language learning experience, then make an impact in Thailand.
Step out of your comfort zone and into local life all over the world. Create community, make an impact, and return home with a deeper understanding of the world and your place in it. Start out with a two-week tour of Europe’s most iconic cities; after that, you’ll travel to the global city of your choice for an authentic language learning experience. Your journey will then take you to Thailand, where you’ll make an impact alongside NGOs and community members.
Languages offered:
Spanish in Barcelona, French in Nice, Italian in Rome, German in Berlin, Japanese in Tokyo, Korean in Seoul
Upcoming travel dates:
Spring 2024: Feb. 16 – Apr. 26
Program Itinerary
Click here to download this itinerary as a PDF.
Note: This itinerary is subject to change due to availability and local conditions at the time of departure.
Europe
2 Weeks
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Europe: Orientation
Dive right into your EF Gap Semester with a tour of four iconic European cities: London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Barcelona. Your Tour Director will make sure you see the big-name sights as well as the underground must-sees! Bond with your cohort as you get comfortable and confident navigating new places together.
City of your choice
4 Weeks
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Language Learning: Starting Out
Begin your Language Immersion experience as you settle into your host city. Take a language placement test and begin your courses at your EF Campus. Settle into your homestay or your EF Residence and get acquainted with a new country and culture. Start to get a feel for the public transit and geography of your new city.
Languages offered: Spanish in Barcelona, French in Nice, Italian in Rome, German in Berlin, Japanese in Tokyo, Korean in Seoul
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Language Learning: Finding Your Groove
Keep attending your language courses at the EF Campus as you become more comfortable with the language and culture of your new city. Spend your free time exploring your new city, and perhaps take a weekend trip to a nearby city to flex your travel skills and see a new place. Get to know your cohort and host country on a deeper level. Become a pro at navigating your new city.
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Language Learning: Learning to Say Goodbye
Make the most of your last week in your Language Study module as you wrap up your courses and celebrate with your new friends and connections. Use your language skills to make sure you check off all the last items on your bucket list in your host city. Enjoy a final celebratory dinner with your cohort.
Thailand
4 Weeks
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Service Learning: Diving Right In
Land in the capital city of Bangkok, a city teeming with succulent street food, ultra-modern skyscrapers, and gleaming temples. Get your bearings with help from your Field Director who will take you to Bangkok's greatest highlights including a boat tour and cooking class where you'll learn to make Pad Thai and mango sticky rice.
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Service Learning: Making an Impact
In mountainous Chiang Mai, you'll work with our NGO partners on projects that focus on social and environmental issues and emerge with a better understanding of the issues Thailand faces and what local leaders are doing to help solves them. In between projects, flex your independent travel skills as you enjoy some free days to explore Chiang Mai at your own pace.
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Service Learning: Beaches & Sustainable Living
Head to southern Thailand for a couple of days to relax, recover, and refocus your energy on the gorgeous beaches of Krabi and the surrounding tropical islands. Then, collaborate with a local environmental organization to participate in a permaculture and sustainable living workshop, work on a coral reef restoration project, learn about mangrove conservation and more.
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Service Learning: Walk Among Giants
Participate in your final service project, working with an organization dedicated to improving the habitat and welfare of elephants. Observe these beautiful animals as they roam free in their natural environment.
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Thailand: Wrap-Up
Return back to where you started your Thailand journey to reflect on what you've learned, discuss how to share your gap story, and discover new skills to help you manage the transition home. Most importantly, celebrate all that you have achieved this semester!
Explore our language learning destinations
Choose where to learn a language. EF Language Campuses are located at the heart of these world-class cities.
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Nice, France
This sun-soaked, cultural gem of the French Riviera combines old-world grandeur and lively street life.
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Barcelona, Spain
This seaside city will sweep you off your feet with its world-famous dining, architecture, and energetic culture.
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Rome, Italy
Italy’s mesmerizing capital city teems with historical ruins, mega-famous art, and bustling street life.
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Berlin, Germany
Lose yourself in the culture and art of this trendy, diverse European capital city.
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Seoul, South Korea
This technology and fashion-forward city cherishes tradition as much as innovation.
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Tokyo, Japan
The world's most populous metropolis is an eclectic mix of the traditional and the ultramodern.
Ready to get started?
Our Gap Year Consultants are ready to answer any questions you have and enroll you on our program.
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