I thought this program was really amazing for what it is. I think there should absolutely be more programming in Barcelona. The only complaint I have with this program is I felt like we kinda of got left out on our own in Barcelona. That’s okay for some things, but we had no tours, no cultural activities, minimal interaction with anyone from the Spanish gap year team, and very little opportunity for Spanish lessons. It kind of just felt like I was living in Barcelona on my own. Now that’s okay, but I feel like if I had just wanted to do that, I wouldn’t have signed up for a program. That being said, I still had an incredible experience and specifically my month in Madrid is something I’ll never forget my whole life. This has been an incredible experience for me and I’m so grateful for these 3 months.

I participated in Spanish Gap Year's Future Leaders program in the fall of 2024 and I had the most amazing experience.

We started out in Madrid for the first 4 weeks and stayed with a host family. While in Madrid we took Spanish classes at Tandem. Tandem is so amazing and I had the absolute best time there.

For the last 8 weeks we stayed in Barcelona and had internships. Barcelona is so beautiful and fun to explore so there was never a dull moment.

If I could, I would do this program all over again.

My Spanish gap year program was an incredible experience that exceeded all expectations. Immersing myself in the language, I significantly improved my Spanish skills through daily interactions and cultural engagement. The internship I participated in was both rewarding and insightful, providing valuable hands-on experience and professional growth. Beyond academics and work, I made lifelong friends, connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and embracing the vibrant local culture. Whether it was exploring historic sites, enjoying authentic cuisine, or simply engaging in everyday life, every moment deepened my appreciation for Spain and its rich traditions.

I absolutely loved my experience on the Future Leaders program. In Madrid I ramped up my Spanish and built foundational business/entrepreneurship knowledge, and I loved settling in in Barcelona with my internship, our classes, and then some free time. Our weeks were definitely super busy, but I loved building a lifestyle and feeling like I was living somewhere, especially after moving around a ton on my fall program. Between our Spanish classes, business concept lessons, hands-on entrepreneurship activities, internships, and official entrepreneurship competition, I learned a TON in areas I hadn’t known much about before. I definitely got lucky with a solid internship and great boss, and it was in a field I had never worked in before (fashion), so I really enjoyed it. In general, this program was super important for my pre-professional development. I also made amazing friends and had tons of fun - our free time was really what you make of it! Especially considering this was a pilot program, I’m so impressed by how well put-together and genuinely professional everything was, and I’m so grateful for Arantxa, our mentors, and everyone who put all of this together. The Spanish Gap Year team is truly the best!!!

From attending Spanish class in a beautiful old building with stained glass to pitching to a panel of investors on the 25th floor of amazing building in Barcelona, this program covered all the bases. We had the freedom to explore Madrid and Barcelona and find our favorite cafes and corner restaurants but were still kept busy with morning internships and afternoon entrepreneurship classes. I felt really supported by our mentors who are all extremely knowledgeable and always ready to lend a hand. Arantxa, the program manager, personally checked in on all of us constantly and made sure everything was going well. It was comforting to have such support while being in such a flexible program with time for whatever adventures we came up with. I loved this program and am sad to leave my new friends and Barcelona.

Taking a gap year in Spain before starting college was one of the best decisions I've ever made. The program was incredibly well-organized, offering a perfect blend of adventure, cultural immersion, and personal growth.

From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed by a diverse group of fellow students and travelers that I became really good friends with. Together, we explored spanish cities, had delicious Spanish cuisine, and participated in a variety of activities that ranged from hiking to going bike riding through Camino.

The host families was a great experience which not only helped my language skills but understanding on the true Spanish culture. The program leaders always made me feel supported throughout this whole process.

This is a really great program to travel, learn Spanish, and get to know a culture. The staff is very caring, I loved Sagri and Arantxa a TON! We lived in about 10 places (including hostels), so be prepared for a lot of travel. The social aspect could be difficult for me because you’re in a small group for 3 months, but there were great moments as well. It’s a very packed schedule, but there’s a lot if fun activities, and you get try so many new things. I would definitely recommend! Especially if you want to learn the language and culture all together.

Spanish Gap Year was an amazing program and experience. The mix of travel, home stays, and cultural immersion was the perfect balance. The hostels were great for learning how to co-live with others and budget for food. Cooking and food was an amazing aspect. Train travel was nothing like I’ve experienced and I love the adventure. I have met some of my closest friends on this trip. Arantxa and Sagri are both wonderful and make the program an incredible experience for gap students. I learned a lot about Spanish history, culture, art, and myself as a student through experiential learning.