EF Gap Semester: 10-16 Week Programs Across Europe, Latin America, South Pacific & More Recently Updated

An EF Gap Semester is perfect for students who want to live in different parts of the world while gaining valuable life skills, discovering their passions, and building community. Destinations include Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania.

Combine guided travel, language and cultural immersion, service learning, or an internship in different countries to build essential skills for your global career, creating a semester as unique as you. Choose from a variety of programs that best match your personal goals, travel style, and destination dreams.

With the opportunity to earn college credit and place out of language classes, students return home with an advantage as they start or return to college. EF Gap Year is part of EF Education First. With more than 50,000 staff members and 600 offices and schools around the world, EF Gap Year offers unparalleled international support 24/7.

Choose the program that best matches your personal goals, travel style, and destination dreams:

The Changemaker - Service & Sustainability: Latin America

Build a sustainable future. Travel through Latin America, work with locals on global challenges, and explore the ecosystems and communities they are trying to conserve.

The Pathfinder - Guided Exploration: Europe

Inspire what’s next. Explore Europe, ignite your passions, and get a hands-on introduction to majors and career options that will help you choose your path forward.

The Voyager - Guided Exploration: Oceania & Japan; Service & Sustainability: Thailand

Spend four weeks getting to know the Asia-Pacific region. Experience the lush environments of Australia and New Zealand, get your hands dirty working with a Thai NGO on an elephant conservation project, and explore the way culture and religion connect in Japan.

Mosaic of Spain - Language, Culture, & Politics

Spend a semester of college living and learning in Spain. You will attend classes at EF’s International Language Campus in Málaga, then experience curated curriculum at the University of Granada's Center for Modern Languages exploring Spain’s past, present, and future; throughout, you’ll also go on Field Excursions designed to bring learning to life in global cities like Amsterdam, Tangier, and Madrid.

CSU Global Challenge Semester 

Embark on an intercontinental journey through Colorado, Costa Rica, Panama, and Mexico. You’ll explore important issues alongside professors from Colorado State University (CSU) and the United Nation’s University for Peace while learning from local communities, nonprofits, and businesses. After the program, you can choose to continue to Colorado State with the opportunity to join CSU Honors Program or take your transferable college credit with you to the next step of your academic journey.

What's included?

Flights & Local Transfers: Round-trip flights & local transportation during group excursions

Room & Board: Your accommodations & some meals on the trip

Course at an Accredited Language School: 4 weeks of classes at an EF school, plus the opportunity to earn 3 college credits

Personal Development Programs: Workshops & activities designed to help you discover your strengths and goals

Activities & Excursions: Guided group activities such as walking tours, museum visits, & some trips to nearby cities

EF Global Support Network: 1:1 mentorship & 24/7 support before & during the program