Spanish Gap Year - Three Month Gap Semester

Spanish Gap Year - Three Month Gap Semester

Location
  • Spain
    • Madrid
    • Salamanca
    • San Sebastián
    • Granada
    • Barcelona
Length
4 - 26 weeks
Program Tags
Adventure Travel After College Arts College Credit Conservation Cultural Immersion Drama Hands-On Learning Language Immersion Music Post-High School Social Justice +2

Program Details

Activities
Animal Viewing Canyoning City Exploring Cycling Dancing Hiking Horseback Riding Mountain Climbing Sightseeing Surfing Trekking Wine Tasting Yoga Ziplining
Timeframe
Fall Spring
Housing
Apartment Host Family Hostel
Primary Language
Spanish
Age Min.
18

Pricing

$18,400
Price Details
Our program fee ranges from 16,000 to 18,400 euros depending on pathways. This includes:

-Pre-travel preparation: online individual interviews and group meetings
-Onboarding resources: Spanish culture course and language learning subscription
-Access to our online learning & support program and course materials
-Full-board accommodation for the 12 weeks (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
-All transport between locations*
-All classes, workshops and activities
* Does not include travel insurance and airfare

Payment options: to book your place, we require 20% of the program fee. Please contact to us to discuss what payment options are available to you and we can work on an installment payment plan together.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Equipment Meals Tour Guide Transportation Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

24/7 support in English and Spanish

What's Not Included
Airfare SIM cards Travel Insurance Visa
Jun 11, 2026
May 28, 2026
46 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

This all-in-one semester begins with one month traveling Spain by train, followed by two months in Barcelona where you choose your pathway. You’ll build soft skills (communication, confidence, problem-solving), hard skills (Spanish, digital tools, cooking), and leadership abilities focused on positive impact.
Choose one of three pathways:
- The Internship Pathway offers full-time hands-on experience, real projects, and strong hours for future credit or professional goals.
- The Entrepreneurship Pathway combines a part-time internship with entrepreneurship labs, mentorship, and Spanish classes, ending in a Shark Tank–style pitch.
- The Personalized Pathway lets you blend part-time internship, volunteering, and classes, or focus fully on volunteering plus Spanish or creative electives.

If you want to explore Spain, improve Spanish, travel sustainably, and gain real-world experience with impact, this semester is for you.

Program Highlights

  • Immerse Yourself In Cooking Classes, Cultural Workshops, And Adventures
  • Visit San Sebastian, Madrid, Salamanca, Granada, and Barcelona
  • Earn Up To 12 College Credits While Abroad
  • Travel Sustainably By Train Across Iconic Spanish Destinations
  • Live And Learn In Multiple Spanish Cities While Mastering The Language

New 4-Week Course!

Program Reviews

4.70 Rating
based on 40 reviews
  • 5 rating 70%
  • 4 rating 30%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.65
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.5
  • Value 4.4
  • Safety 4.85
Showing 1 - 8 of 40 reviews
Bela
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

gap year in Spain

I met some amazing people and I have memories I can keep for a lifetime and friends I will have for a long time. I loved my time all over Spain I’ve traveled to more places in 3 months than I think I ever will. The weekend trips were beautiful and I can’t wait to come back to Spain and use my new Spanish skills. The food great the culture and architecture is wonderful. My host moms were lovely all the new places in Spain were different and so fun. I hope the next group has as much fun as I did and makes new friends

What was your funniest moment?
Hanging out with my new friends and going out to eat with them and laughing all night long
Pros
  • New relationships
  • Understanding Spanish
Cons
  • Boring classes
  • Long commute to work.
7 people found this review helpful.
Maya
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Spanish Gap Year LOVE!

Genuinely I loved being part of this SGY for the past 3 months. there were so many ups and down and lessons learned that I couldnt have had without this oportunity. in the end, I am so grateful for everything I have experienced. Big shout out to the support, specifically Lily Tahara was there the whole entire time. I have felt safe and helped every step of the time. Some highlights was my first host family in San Sebastian, my favorite city. Abuela talked to me everyday, sharing stories of her immigration to Spain while I enjoyed her food. I also really enjoyed taking public transit in Madrid, navigating my route to the spanish classes. Lastly, being in Barcelona and falling in love with what Barcelona has to offer, food, culture, community, and opportunity.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
live every experience to your fullest. really, it's worth it.
Pros
  • food!
  • variety
  • immersion
Cons
  • can be uncomfortable
56 people found this review helpful.
Lauren
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Takes You Out of Your Comfort Zone

This gap year was my first time away from home at age 18. Where all of my friends were going to college within a short car drive or plane drive away from home and got to visit their family on school breaks, I went thousands of miles away from the family that I've never spent more than a week without. While I was super scared, this gap year helped me grow in my independence and confidence, teaching me that I am capable of being on my own, figuring out how to travel on my own, and spend time with myself.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future travelers on this program is to say yes to everything that scares you, whether that's learning a new skill, speaking to someone new, or going on a new adventure. And, if there's something you wish to change about your schedule in the program, just ask because accommodations can be made for you.
Pros
  • Great support 24/7 and built in friends
  • Many pre-planned activities to do
  • Room to request extra activities for your passions, such as a sport or photography class
Cons
  • Can feel very group-focused and less independent
  • A lot of English speaking with the group and in internships
54 people found this review helpful.
Emily
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing program

Our son found the Future Leaders Program when he decided to take a gap semester after his first semester of college. Spanish Gap Year checked all the boxes we were looking for, offering an experience that had both the cultural component and the structure from which to keep building on the skills he was learning in college. Future Leaders offered the chance to continue learning challenging subjects (Spanish and business concepts), exposed him to two different cities, and also had independent dorm living in the second half so he could continue the independence he started in college. The program staff were incredible. Overall, the program exceeded our expectations and we would recommend it to anyone!

78 people found this review helpful.
Rebecca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Money well spent!

We were hesitant about sending our daughter so far away to "reset" herself. High school wasn't a successful four years and we desperately something for her to believe in her abilities again.

Wow....did this program do that! The closeness of the group and support from the organization turned our daughter around. She loved the adventure and thrived both personally and professionally. The communication from the team was super. I reached out whenever I needed anything, and they were quick to respond. Who won't regret this adventure for your child or yourself.

121 people found this review helpful.
Kenneth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Delivered as Promised and More!

Our son, who is a junior at a large east coast US university, decided to take a GAP semester to gain life and real-world work experience. After meeting with a consultant at Gap Year Solutions, he was able to learn about a number of different GAP options in different countries. After careful deliberation, he chose The Spanish Gap Year Future Leaders Entrepreneurship program. He had an amazing experience with this program and gained more self-confidence, especially by navigating through a foreign country. He really loved the Spanish culture, and totally benefited from the entrepreneurial activities/projects and mentoring offered by the Program. I visited him in Barcelona, and I was really impressed with the housing (clean, safe, and excellent amenities). He spoke very highly he quality of work given to him at his internship (Lean Mail) and really liked his boss. The Program's mentors and group activities were also top-notch (fun and enriching). He now feels inspired to return to school with renewed enthusiasm and has very valuable experience to put on his resume, not to mention wonderful memories!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Get out and explore! Traveling to other countries on the weekends is highly recommended Also, take your internship and mentoring very seriously. There is so much valuable information.
Pros
  • Well organized
  • Fun
  • Safe
125 people found this review helpful.
Theo
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My experience

My main goal going into this program was to improve my Spanish, and I was definitely successful with that, however you have to be intentional in ensuring that you are placed in a Spanish speaking internship, take advantage of extra Spanish classes, etc. Sagri and Maryam were very helpful, kind, and proactive, however the program’s instructions could be unclear at times. I personally had a fantastic time, but I think that you have to be self-driven to get the most out of it. Spain is a beautiful country, and it was a pleasure to spend 3 months here. The program has definitely opened my eyes to a new culture, and provided a good environment to grow as a person.

125 people found this review helpful.
Marleah
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Future Leaders Fall 2024

I had a great time living and learning in Barcelona and Madrid through this program. I would say this program and your time here is 100% what you make of it. The program gives an excellent structure and basis for learning language, interning, and engaging in social/cultural activities, but it is up to you as a gapper to engage and expand on the opportunities this program provides. Get out there— sign up for more tours, more language lessons (in Barcelona the focus switches to primarily entrepreneurship), travel on the weekends, network— meet other students who are out and about; you’ll make meaningful connections, progressional and personal.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Pitching to the judges was definitely a nerve wracking experience, but it was a challenge that I know my team and I learned from, and it was good practice!
Pros
  • Allows you to explore many different activities/ experiences
  • I liked how the program focused on many different yet engaging things: entrepreneurship, interning, and cultural/ linguistic exploration.
  • I liked the care I felt from our program leaders throughout our time in Spain.
Cons
  • While in Madrid I felt the program was incredibly robust, we were always busy and had activities organized by the program to do, however in Barcelona (though this is a positive in some ways) I felt we had a lot more independent time without any organized
  • If you’re here for language acquisition you will need to take the reins after the first month, because the focus of the days switch to be on entrepreneurship
  • If you are not internally driven and at least a little outgoing, you may have a hard time getting the most out of your experience. This program will help you grow, but only if you let it!
123 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers