EF Gap Year - The Global Gap Year

EF Gap Year - The Global Gap Year

Location
Multiple Locations +8
  • Japan
    • Tokyo
    • Kyoto
  • Spain
    • Barcelona
    • Malaga
  • Italy
    • Rome
  • Germany
    • Berlin
    • Munich
  • France
    • Paris
    • Nice
  • South Korea
    • Seoul
  • Singapore
  • Costa Rica
    • Samara Beach
Payment plans

Program Details

Activities
City Exploring Horseback Riding Sightseeing
Timeframe
Academic Year
Housing
Apartment Hotel
Age Min.
18
Age Max
22

Pricing

Starting Price
36000
Price Details
EF’s Gap Year is a once-in-a-lifetime experience designed for unmatched value. Your $36,000 program covers far more than travel—it’s a fully curated journey. Enjoy immersive language classes in every destination, 2–3 weekly cultural activities, and epic weekend excursions that bring each city to life. All flights, transfers, and airport pickups are seamlessly handled, while premium housing—EF Student Residences—keeps you comfortable and connected. With 24/7 global support, personal mentorship, and built-in travel protection, every detail is covered. From flights and housing to cultural deep dives and lifelong friendships, EF ensures a transformative, world-class adventure worth every moment—and every dollar.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airfare Airport Transfers Equipment Meals Tour Guide Transportation Travel Insurance Wifi
Jun 11, 2026
Jul 10, 2024
14 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Spend a full academic year abroad with EF—24 weeks of cultural immersion, travel, and growth. Start with a dynamic 12-week multi-destination program such as European Horizons, East Asian Odyssey, Spanish in Motion, or The Globetrotter. Explore multiple countries, learn local language basics, and expand your worldview through hands-on cultural experiences.

In your second semester, settle into one of EF’s 11 international language campuses in cities like Tokyo, Seoul, Rome, Barcelona, Paris, or Nice. Live locally, build deeper connections, and strengthen language and cultural fluency.

Throughout your journey, enjoy student residences or homestays, travel with your cohort, and take part in weekly activities, weekend excursions, and ongoing support. Flights, housing, language classes, and optional college credits are included. With new skills, global perspective, and unforgettable experiences, EF’s Gap Year is more than travel—it’s a true transformation.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This gap year program offers a mix of language study, volunteering, internships, and travel with supportive staff and a strong community.

Video and Photos

Impact 🌎

Bringing sustainable practices to the heart of our business starts with understanding the full scope of our carbon footprint. To do this, we joined forces with a global leader in carbon accounting and voluntary climate protection projects: myclimate.

Program Highlights

  • Earn college credit while traveling the world! With EF Gap Year, you’ll immerse in language and culture, make lifelong memories, and return home with optional accredited credit toward your degree.
  • Our global teams handle all-things accommodations, from activities and excursions to flights, courses, transportation, and so much more! All you have to do is focus on making the most of your year.
  • EF Gap Year is accredited throughout the U.S. by six of the country’s most respected organizations. We are proud to meet their rigorous standards for educational excellence.
  • Global Community – Travel with students from 100+ countries, build lifelong friendships, and join a worldwide network of peers who share your passion for exploring the world.
  • From flamenco in Spain to temples in Kyoto and surfing in Costa Rica, spend a year exploring the world through unforgettable adventures and build global skills by living the culture.

Program Reviews

4.91 Rating
based on 11 reviews
  • 5 rating 90.91%
  • 4 rating 9.09%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.1
  • Support 4.4
  • Fun 4.75
  • Value 4.85
  • Safety 4.4
Showing 9 - 11 of 11 reviews
Gatchalian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Super Fun!!!!!

To be honest I thought it will just be every single school and programmes I sigh up before, the same but EF proof me wrong, First the staff is really nice and cool, they help me in many problem I have like bank, Telephone etc....... Second is the host family I stayed, they are super nice and the food they cook are Super also i'm enjoining the dark humor they provided :) Finally the peoples I meet here are super FUN i have make some bro's on the way. In the end I'm totally enjoy the programmes next time I might try going to japan EF.

What would you improve about this program?
Not really
312 people found this review helpful.
Bart
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

EF Internship

I absolutely loved my experience abroad with EF! The experience opened my eyes & mind to different cultures and languages. I realized after my travels that it is extremely difficult to put a price tag on experiences. EF was there for me from the beginning until the end, and they acted in the best interest of making it a good experience. At the same time, it's important to keep in mind that your experience will be as good as YOU make it. EF is there for you all the way but simultaneously you also need to be open-minded for something new, and "get out your comfort zone!"

I really enjoyed the internship portion of my travels, working alongside extremely hard-working, life changing and passionate people. I would highly recommend doing an internship with EF because it's the perfect stepping stone to jumpstart your education & professional development.

301 people found this review helpful.
Daniel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Gap Year Internship at an EF Office

I did an internship with EF at one of their offices during my gap year. It was an amazing opportunity to travel, learn, and to meet new amazing people with different backgrounds. The internship was structured very well and gave me a broad range of professional and life experiences that has helped me grow as a person. EF does a great job motivating each individual to push themselves beyond their comfort zones and to be their best self.

I would recommend anyone to take a gap year with EF as it is a great and unique chance that will be very rewarding in so many ways.

142 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers