Our Mission & Philosophy

At EF Gap Year, we believe that the people who will succeed in the world of tomorrow are confident, adaptable, and comfortable in the face of ambiguity.

Today’s education system teaches students how to achieve, compete, and perform. But it often fails to teach the cornerstone skills of adulthood—like self-discovery, open-mindedness, and independence.

We believe in the importance of living intentionally and pursuing a life that is true to ourselves. And we believe in the transformative power of travel to help us understand who we want to be in the world.

That’s why we rally around a central goal: Preparing students to thrive in an ever-changing world. Through our programs, we strive to empower students to become happy and successful adults who are prepared to navigate their future and the world.

Our educational philosophy

The EF Gap Year approach focuses on four essentials skills that prepare students for success in our increasingly globalized world. Learn more here (PDF).

  • Growth Mindset

    Learn to follow your curiosity and embrace new challenges.

  • Global Perspective

    Build a toolkit of must-have skills for true global citizenship.

  • Personal Development

    Become a more mature and well-rounded person.

  • Action

    Gain the confidence to successfully navigate an ever-changing world.

We’re EF Education First.

For more than 50 years, EF has offered quality educational programs all over the world that help people of all ages continue to learn and grow through life-changing, hands-on experiences.

Why Choose EF

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