Creative Semester

Creative Semester

Location
  • France
    • Normandy
Length
4 - 12 weeks
Need-based funding, 529 Plan eligibility, LGBTQIA+ funding, BIPOC funding
Health & Safety

Program Details

Activities
City Exploring Sightseeing
Timeframe
Academic Year Fall Spring Winter
Housing
Guesthouse Host Family Hostel Hotel Lodge
Primary Language
English
Age Min.
17
Age Max
22

Pricing

$18,000
Price Details
Tuition: €15,800, charged in euros. Your cost in USD (or any other currency) will vary with the exchange rate at the time of payment — check today's rate here:

Scholarships and financial aid are available, including need-based funding, 529 Plan eligibility, and dedicated support for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC students. Reach out to learn what you may qualify for.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Some Equipment Meals Tour Guide Transportation Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Some Meals Travel Insurance Visa
Jul 03, 2026
Apr 11, 2026
52 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Creative Semester is a unique opportunity to live in a creative community led by professional artists and based in an 18th-century château in Normandy, France.

The program blends cultural immersion, hands-on artistic workshops, and excursions to landmarks like Mont Saint-Michel, the Étretat cliffs, and the D-Day beaches, plus a guided trip to Rouen. Choose a creative pathway in Film, Acting, Studio Art, Creative Writing, or Photography. Immerse yourself in French history and culture while developing your creativity and discovering opportunities for personal growth. We welcome applicants of all interests and levels of experience, from the creatively curious to those interested in artistic careers.

Connect with artists from around the world, cultivate new perspectives, and discover where your creativity can take you on your gap year.

Program Highlights

  • Develop lifelong friends and creative collaborators
  • Live in an 18th century chateau in beautiful rural France
  • Learn hands-on from working international professional artists
  • Personalized mentorship built around your goals, not one-size-fits-all
  • Explore Normandy through cultural and creative field trips

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

Berridge Programs is dedicated to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment where participants feel seen, respected, and celebrated. We celebrate diversity and encourage self-expression, ensuring that all students can thrive within our creative, respectful community. Our mentors and staff are dedicated to cultivating a space where individuality is embraced, and everyone is empowered to explore their passions authentically. Our programs are designed to promote personal growth, cultural understanding, and positive impact while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and respect for all individuals involved.

Program Dates

Application Deadline
Program Dates
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Program Reviews

4.83 Rating
based on 42 reviews
  • 5 rating 83.33%
  • 4 rating 16.67%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.7
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 4.75
  • Value 4.75
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 17 - 24 of 42 reviews
Samantha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

BEST PROGRAM IN THE WORLD

I am sooooo incredibly grateful for my time at Berridge. Berridge gave me the opportunity to explore my creative abilities in a space that was supportive, fun, and inspiring. I met some of the coolest people here and had an irreplaceable experience. The staff works incredibly hard to create a fun space for people to explore their goals, identities, and interests. There is the perfect mixture of freedom and structure. You travel to multiple different beautiful places around France and learn about the culture and lifestyle. I cannot recommend this program enough.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice would be to enter this program with an open mind. Berridge really gives you the ability to explore who you are and that is something that is incredibly fundamental during a gap year. Be prepared to have a beautiful experience with beautiful people.
Pros
  • Best staff ever
  • Amazing food
  • Beautiful place
76 people found this review helpful.
Kristian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best time of my life.

Berridge Programs was truly a life-changing experience.

All the traveling around Normandy, to Paris, to the beautiful property and château, was so memorable. The food is AMAZING, no matter what dietary restrictions you have.

The staff is absolutely incredible, all experienced artists who truly have your best interests at heart, artistically and mentally. It doesn’t seem like “school” but more like an experience. An experience to express yourself, connect with yourself deeper, and meet extraordinary people along the way.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Come with an open heart and no expectations!
The memories you make heart, will make themselves, the connections you make to the people, culture and to France as a whole, will change you in way you DONT expect. Live in the moment and savor every second.
Pros
  • Being in the countryside of France!!
  • The food!
  • The staff, and itinerary!!
77 people found this review helpful.
Alex
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Arts Program Ever

Berridge created a new extended family for me. I have made so many rich connections here that I’ll cherish forever. The connection that I got to my art changed my life forever. The staff creates a community that makes it so easy for you to learn in a low stress way so that you can enjoy every minute of your time at the chateau and beyond. Every day is fulfilling and enriching. My life and career are forever changed because of the people I met here and the lessons I’ve learned from everyone I encountered.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be ready to absorb everything. Be open and accepting to everything that happens. You’ll feel so much better by the end if you’re just willing to give it a try.
Pros
  • Freedom on trips
  • Learning from Professionals
  • Staff
75 people found this review helpful.
Davis
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best two months of my life

This program has been so incredibly amazing. The staff at this program help create such a creative and free environment I felt safe and listened too. The chateau, food, and classes were amazing and so welcoming. This program and the things i learned in the program will continue to inspire who I am for many years to come. I highly recommend anyone to come to Berridge programs you will not regret it. I was so scared to come to this program but I had nothing at all to be worried about. Best place ever.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I call my self a recovering picky eater and have the rule to try every food once. I never went hungry here. Chef Bogdan’s food was incredible while always making comforting food and expanding our pallets with new French foods. I enjoyed every meal at the chateau.
Pros
  • The staff is so welcoming and inspire creative growth.
  • The chateau feels like home.
  • The ability to see new corners of the world every week.
Cons
  • To much fun!
  • Not long enough!
  • Staff is too welcoming!
55 people found this review helpful.
miriam
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Berridge will always hold a special place in my heart.

It was meaningful and really fun. Thank you staff. I learned a lot and had a really nice time. The chateau is super nice and magical. The people made it really special. I think berridge attracts a really special group of creative cool people. It was really important to me to have a time in my life dedicated to putting my head down and pursuing art. I’m so glad I did berridge. My favorite part was open mic where we got to see everyone perform and as we got closer to the end the performances became even more niche and special, I’m so proud of my friends.

48 people found this review helpful.
Aidan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My time at Berridge Gap Year Program

I went into this with very low expectations, but the people, staff, and experiences here made it one of the most impactful times in my life. The bad days were still great and the great days I’ll never forget. The food from the chef was made with a palpable love that you can only feel from your family and everything I learned in these two months, I never would’ve imagined I could learn in that short amount of time. I’m still shocked at how much I loved this experience and how desperately I wish it wouldn’t end.

What was your funniest moment?
There are too many to count, every inside joke, every movie we watched as a group, every trip all had me laughing in the way only my closest friends can make me laugh
Pros
  • Food
  • Classes
  • Freedom
54 people found this review helpful.
gabriela
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

BEST THING EVER

I’m so lucky to have found this program. I’ve had a friend do it in the past, and she recommended it to me, told me it was the best thing ever, and she was right. The staff are unmatched- the kindest and smartest people I’ve ever met. They value the safety of students and are so passionate about their craft. Students who love all visual arts, film, creative writing, acting, music, cooking, and history should come here. It is such a rich environment and a beautiful chateau. They balance everything so well. I’ve made some of my best friends here, and I genuinely couldn’t recommend it enough.

What would you improve about this program?
making it longer -honestly wish i could stay here for longer
Pros
  • amazing staff
  • wonderful food and culture
  • immersion in art
62 people found this review helpful.
Kate
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Berridge 24

Attending this program was one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself. As nerve racking as it was at first, the atmosphere created by the people involved was incredibly warm and welcoming. Their support made it easy to engage and connect. We became a family by the end of it all. The interactions were genuine, and the encouragement from others made all the difference in my experience. Overall, I gained valuable skills and insights, but the relationships I built will be the lasting impact of this experience.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future travelers on this program is to take full advantage of the opportunities provided here. Not only are they a lot of fun but they also open your eyes to a lot of different things.
Pros
  • The staff are the kindest most welcoming people
  • Having a space where you can be creative and fully express yourself
  • Forming deep connections with the people experiencing this with you
Cons
  • None
101 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers