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Admissions:

Program Fees

Packing tips

BE PREPARED FOR BAGGAGE ACCOUNTABILITY

You will be on the move constantly, which means you will be responsible for carrying the weight of your luggage–and remember, elevators are not common in many foreign countries. Make this easy on yourself and don’t pack more than you need.

Packing tips

BE AWARE OF BAGGAGE ALLOWANCES

You are allowed one checked bag and one personal item (a backpack or small bag) on international flights. It is important you stick to this limit, as your luggage will need to fit on the bus with the rest of your cohort’s luggage. Airlines will directly charge $50 per bag, each way, for additional luggage.

Packing tips

CONSIDER COST OF OVERSIZED BAGS

Checked luggage sizes are generally no more than 29" in height and 45lb in weight; carry-on sizes vary by airline, so you will want to check once you know your flight information. Please know that if your bag exceeds the weight limit, you will be responsible for the extra cost per airline.

Packing tips

REMEMBER TO RE-PACK

We suggest packing your bag once and then re-packing it, taking out a few things the second time; the pack and re-pack method will let you do a trial run, so that you really, truly take only what you need. Trust us, there will be an opportunity to make purchases while you travel!

Packing tips

REMOVE ITEMS YOU DO NOT NEED

You do not need to bring sheets or bath towels; these will be provided. Additionally, you can buy an inexpensive beach towel once you arrive in any beach destination.

Packing tips

VERSATILITY IS KEY

Pack basics, neutral colors, and layers so you can easily mix and match. Pack items that can be dressed up or dressed down so you can use them for multiple locations.

Packing tips

TRAVEL LIGHT

We cannot stress enough the importance of packing light: it is vital that you bring no more than two bags–the standard is one checked bag and one personal item. Leave some extra room in your suitcase for souvenirs.

Packing tips

SNACK LIGHT

Bring a few granola bars or snacks for your initial travels, but no need to pack more food. A large part of your experience while abroad is immersing yourself in the culture—this includes the food you eat. Who knows, you may find a new favorite food!

Packing tips

TRAVEL TAGS ARE YOUR BAG’S BEST FRIEND

Don’t forget to put a luggage tag on your bags so you can easily identify them! We also advise taking a photo of your bags before you depart in the event they get lost or delayed.

Guided Reflection

Each week, students will reflect on themes and topics to enrich their EF Gap experience, such as:

Personal & Social Identities in a Global Context

In Melbourne, Australia, students will learn to see the world—and their role in it—from a new, nuanced perspective by articulating their salient personal and social identities, then unpacking how their identities have been perceived in different cities throughout their travels.

Guided Reflection

Each week, students will reflect on themes and topics to enrich their EF Gap experience, such as:

Comfort Zone & Challenge Zone

In Paris, France, students will practice pushing themselves out of their comfort zone and into "the challenge zone," learning when to push themselves and what their boundaries are; during this time, we encourage students to embrace challenges, mistakes, and setbacks as opportunities for growth.

Guided Reflection

Each week, students will reflect on themes and topics to enrich their EF Gap experience, such as:

Adaptability & Resilience

In Munich, Germany, students will be guided to identify a struggle or setback they encountered on-program then reflect on what tools they used to overcome it. By practicing flexibility and problem-solving, students will develop confidence as well as decision-making and self-management skills.

Guided Reflection

Each week, students will reflect on themes and topics to enrich their EF Gap experience, such as:

The Mind-Body Connection

In Krabi, Thailand, students will challenge themselves to new activities with Nature Mind-ED (such as hiking and rock climbing) to better understand their abilities and limits; during this time, we encourage students to check in on themselves and each other.

Guided Reflection

Each week, students will reflect on themes and topics to enrich their EF Gap experience, such as:

Open-mindedness & Empathy

In Prague, Czech Republic, students will be asked to confront their personal biases and preconceptions about the places that they've visited so far and then reflect on how their mind has changed based on their experiences and travels.

Program fee

Tuition for this 4-week program is $7,900, and payment plans are available. A detailed budgeting guide for this program can be found here.

Your program fee includes:

  • Flights & transportation

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

  • Room & board

    Your accommodations and most meals

  • Activities & service projects

    Guided excursions and service opportunities with partner organizations

  • EF global support network

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

Ready to get started? M5/T4

Our Gap Year Consultants are ready to answer any questions you have and to help find the perfect program for your family.

    By submitting your information, you agree to allow EF to process your personal information in accordance with EF’s Privacy Policy and to allow the use of your data for direct marketing purposes. By entering your mobile number, you agree to receive recurring text messages about upcoming offers from EF Gap Year at the number provided and you understand that consent to receive marketing text messages is not a condition of purchase. You agree to all EF Texting Terms and Conditions.

    Ready to get started? M4/T3

    Our Gap Year Consultants are ready to answer any questions you have and to help find the perfect program for your family.

      By submitting your information, you agree to allow EF to process your personal information in accordance with EF’s Privacy Policy and to allow the use of your data for direct marketing purposes. By entering your mobile number, you agree to receive recurring text messages about upcoming offers from EF Gap Year at the number provided and you understand that consent to receive marketing text messages is not a condition of purchase. You agree to all EF Texting Terms and Conditions.

      Safety & Support

      EF Gap Year is a key part of EF’s expansive global network. With a presence in over 120 countries, 52,000 staff, 600 schools and offices, and over 400 community partners our team has your back and is always available to help you succeed on your journey.

      Your global support network

      Country guides

      To make the most of your time during your program, this section gives some helpful context on the places you’re visiting. You’ll learn a litle bit about the history, culture, weather, key norms, and reflection questions.

      Costa Rica
      The Dominican Republic
      Peru
      Ecuador & the Galapagos
      Social Identity Resources

      Travel provides incredible opportunities to learn about yourself, the world, and yourself in the world. But travel is also a deeply emotional experience that can bring different challenges to every individual based on the identities they hold and experiences they’ve had.

      This resource is intended to help you think about how your intersecting identities can, and will, shape your experience as an EF student. Take some time to review our Social Identity Resources to hear different perspectives, learn about identity-specific resources, and prepare with helpful tips before you go abroad.

      Making the most of your program

      To make the most of your time during your program, this section gives some helpful context and reflection questions. These questions are great ones to think about on your own, to journal about, or to discuss with a friend or in a small group. Make the most of your time during your program by spending a little bit of time each day—even as little as 5 or 10 minutes—doing conscious reflection!

      Travel provides incredible opportunities to learn about yourself, the world, and yourself in the world. But travel is also a deeply emotional experience that can bring different challenges to every individual based on the identities they hold and experiences they’ve had.

      This resource is intended to help you think about how your intersecting identities can, and will, shape your experience as an EF student. Take some time to review our Social Identity Resources to hear different perspectives, learn about identity-specific resources, and prepare with helpful tips before you go abroad.

      Our commitment to safety

      When you need us most, we’re always close: EF Gap Year students are supported by multiple layers of staff throughout their experience abroad.

      Learn more about on-program Safety & Support, from our on-the-ground Student Life Coordinators and Tour Directors to our 24/7 Safety & Incident Response team.

      EF Impact Report

      Through our business and the work we do every day, EF strives to positively impact people, communities, and the planet.

      Read the full report
      Interested in traveling with us?

      Your journey begins here.

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