Our programs are the product of 60+ years of excellence in cultural exchange, educational travel, global language learning, and international partnerships.
Whether it’s a delayed flight, a lost passport, or a worldwide pandemic, EF has the knowledge and resources to handle it all. Our extensive, multicultural network of EF staff are experts in travel.
Here are some of the measures we take to provide peace of mind for our travelers and their families.
With the largest worldwide network of in-country experts and support teams trained to assist you in times of need, EF’s global presence is truly unmatched—and we don’t just work in those countries, we call them home! That’s right, EF staff live and work in every one of our destinations, meaning that we have the local knowledge to keep our groups safe and you’ll have friendly faces nearby to offer a helping hand.
EF Gap students are supported by multiple layers of staff throughout their experience abroad. Our Safety & Incident Response team is available 24/7, plus we have a network of industry experts, healthcare professionals, and government personnel who liaise with local embassies, government authorities, and health providers; additionally, your EF Language Campus Staff, Program Advisor and EF’s Global Emergency Support Team are trained to support you throughout every step of your journey.
Our committed Program Advisors work with students and their families plan their dream EF Gap experience, whether that’s a Short-Term, Semester, or Year program.
Advisors will help driven, growth-focused students determine whether a gap is the right fit, discuss their dream destinations, and understand their unique gap goals before beginning to plan a life-changing, custom gap program.
Additional responsibilities include collecting information like allergies or diet restrictions, collaborating on funding plans and discussing fundraising, communicating housing choices, and making a plan (if needed) for college deferral.
Our student experience managers look after the well-being of our students and facilitate social integration, provide support and emergency help, and offer guidance as needed.
Activities Manager
Organizes excursions, cultural trips, and after-class activities.
Student Services Manager
Oversees the well-being of our students, and social integration, provides student support, emergency help, and guidance.
Accommodation Manager
Manages host families, residences, and housing logistics.
Residence Assistant
Lives at and oversee the EF's Student Residence accommodations.
Each of our EF Language Campuses has dedicated staff on the ground. From language instructors to activities coordinators, there is a robust ecosystem of people there to make your experience worthwhile.
Language Teachers
EF's rockstar teachers who deliver daily language instruction according to EF's curriculum while overseeing the students experience.
School Director
School Directors oversee all operations, academics, staff management, and student experience at our EF campuses.
Housing Director
Housing Directors oversee accommodation logistics for all students, and manages host families and residences at EF locations.
Academic Director
Academic Directors oversee all academic programs, conduct teacher trainings, and ensure quality assurance at each of our EF campuses.
This team is available to all of our travelers 24/7 and trained to support students in times of crisis.
You can count on these experts, who work with a network of healthcare professionals and government personnel, to oversee proactive operational welfare measures and provide aid to our students on program all over the world—so regardless of the time zone or program, whatever the circumstance, whatever the hour, EF will be there to answer the call.
From booking and planning to pre-departure, time on-program and post, EF Gap Year is here to help! We look forward to partnering with students and their families throughout their EF Gap experience. From the accommodations and unique itineraries we offer to our commitment to ensuring their health and wellness of our students and our expansive, international network of staff, this is EF and that’s the EF difference.
You'll stay with a carefully-selected EF Homestay host and another international EF student in a twin room, with single stay options available. Or in a comfortable EF Residence or EF Campus Living, depending on your destination and preference.
Our EF Activity Manager team organizes a full schedule of fun activities, including evening options like sports, beach barbecues, and city tours. Weekends feature full-day excursions, ensuring you practice the language, make friends, and create unforgettable memories.
Before students begin their journey, we tap into our EF Global Safety Network to consider guidelines released by the U.S. CDC, the World Health Organization, and the U.S. Department of State; meanwhile, our 24/7 Emergency Service team and Safety & Incident Response Team closely monitors each destination across our itineraries to identify potential risks, infection rates, healthcare accessibility, and local regulations. We then review each country to assess any border restrictions, local policies, and standards to ensure that students can make the most of their experience abroad.