EF Gap Year
Vitals
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GYA Accredited Since:
2023
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Enrolling:
Yes - Mission Statement:
At EF Gap Year, we believe that the people who will succeed in the world of tomorrow are adaptable, confident, and comfortable in the face of ambiguity. We offer semester (10-16 weeks) and gap year (23 weeks) programs focused on guided exploration and cultural immersion. With our curated suite of programs, we provide students the opportunity to get out of their comfort zones, discover more about themselves, and return home with the confidence and skills to take on whatever comes next—whether it's college, a career, or more travel!
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Level of Independence/Supervision (mouse-over for definition):
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Attachments
Program Locations
Typical Itinerary
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | |
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W e e k 1 |
Arrive in London, take a walking tour, and attend a welcome dinner | Explore Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, etc. at the lead of your local Tour Director | Street art tour in Shoreditch, followed by painting workshop | Free day in London, then board the train to Amsterdam | Guided Tour of historic sites, including Anne Frank House | Food tour in Amsterdam | Travel to Paris to visit various iconic sites and take a scenic cruise down the Seine |
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | |
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W e e k 2 |
Versailles visit, followed by group dinner | Visit the Louvre and explore Paris on your own | Travel to Barcelona and explore | Barcelona city tour | Free day in Barcelona and group dinner | Travel to next location for module of your choice (i.e., Language & Culture in Nice, France) | Arrive in next location, get your bearings, prepare for the week ahead |
This itinerary is representative of the European Guided Exploration portion that occurs on most of our programs, though please note: the daily schedule varies depending on the program you choose. EF Gap Year offers several program options varying in type, length, and focus. For example, during the Language & Culture module, you may wake up at your host family's house before heading to your language class that morning and exploring the city that afternoon. When it comes to Service & Sustainability, you'll spend your days getting your hands dirty in local communities abroad—such as working with elephants in Thailand or sea turtles in Costa Rica. As for Business & Internships, you'll learn to navigate the 9–5 at your international internship. Enjoy free days and weekends to explore with your cohort and Tour Director!
Program Outcomes
- Growth mindset: learn to follow your curiosity and embrace new challenges.
- Global skills and perspective: build a toolkit of must-have skills, including intrapersonal, cognitive, and interpersonal competencies.
- Personal development: become a more mature and well-rounded person, prepared for success as an adult. Better understand your interests, passions, and what you want to study or go into next.
- Confidence to take action: gain the confidence to successfully navigate an ever-changing world.
- Empathy and awareness: enhance your ability to connect and communicate with others.
- Lifelong learning: learn to value process over results.
- Real-world work experience: experience professional life at you international internship. Build your global network, discover new interests, develop transferrable skills, and bolster your resume.
- Cultural exchange and language learning: learn a new language or develop your proficiency by living and studying in a country where it is spoken daily.
- Move beyond yourself: engage in cultural exchange with local communities; complete projects that protect the environment and improve lives.
- College credit: opt in to complete university-level coursework through Southern New Hampshire University.
We design our programs with carefully curated learning moments that foster a lifelong love of learning, enhance their natural strengths and talents, develop their ability to connect with others in meaningful ways, and build the skills most sought after by colleges and employers.
Program Details
- Program Starts: Fall, Winter, Spring
- Program Duration: Semester, Yearlong
- Typical Program Cost: $18,950-$43,750
- Program Financial Aid: Yes
- Other Financial Aid Details:
Each year, EF Gap Year awards up to $50,000 in merit-based scholarships and fellowships to qualified students enrolled on a Gap Year or Gap Semester to help them offset the cost of their program. For more info, visit: efgapyear.com/get-help/fundraising/
Staff Training and Certification
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 Tour Director, Gap Year Advisor, and EF’s Global Emergency Support Team are trained to support you throughout every step of your journey.