EF Gap Year

EF Gap Year

About

Since 1965, EF has sent millions of people around the world to have life-changing experiences. EF’s global reach spans more than 100 countries in 6 continents. We understand the world because our 52,000 staff members live and work in more than half of it.

“Opening the world through education” is EF's mission. We bring that to life with our gap year program, which is the culmination of 50 years of expertise in educational travel, language learning, and cultural exchange—our “greatest hits,” if you will.

EF Gap Year prepares students for success in our increasingly globalized world. Our educational philosophy celebrates travel as a pathway to understanding and self-discovery. We help students experience the world and discover their passions with our academic year, semester, and summer programs.

Scholarships

EF Gap Year Awards

EF Gap Year has awards of up to $5,000 for students in their gap year and semester-long programs. Various scholarships are available for leadership, blogging, videography, and photography. Over $50,000 of funding is available every year.

Value
$10,000

Reviews

Default avatar
Hampton
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A wonderful experience!

I would 100% recommend this experience to everyone. I took gap year and wanted to do something outside of my comfort zone that would allow me to go out and see the world and most importantly grow as a person and find myself before going to college. The European Discovery was perfect for this. EF was so helpful the entire time, and the experience was amazing; it was the perfect balance of structure and independence. I met so many wonderful people and am even looking at doing another trip in the spring!

Pros
  • Gaining confidence
  • Gaining independence
  • Seeing different cultures and locations
Cons
  • Fast paced travel
  • Not enough time in certain locations
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Alex
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

European Discovery

Overall pretty good! Not the best choices with food, not a lot of variety, but other than that, everything was pretty good! Loved being able to actually go out drinking and have fun with friends, the tours were amazing, loved walking around the cities and learning about the history. The hostels we were in were pretty decent, of course theyre hostels so they're not going to be five star, but they got the job done. Great chance to make friends cus you'll be rooming with different people, its all really fun.

Pros
  • Everything is planned out for you
Cons
  • Not a lot of food variety during group dinners
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Grace
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Spanish language gap year experience!

This program is unlike any other and it made me into the best possible version of myself! I chose Costa Rica, Peru and Madrid for my 3 modules because I wanted to improve my Spanish and I am nearly fluent now! I did some of the coolest things I’ve done in my whole life all throughout my gap year. I scuba dived in the Great Barrier Reef, lived in my first apartment in Madrid, jumped the highest cliff jump in the world, held a koala, volcano boarded, snorkeled in Panama, went to the Sydney opera house and so much more. I met some of the coolest most unforgettable people of my whole life and they are all likeminded people who love to explore and travel so it makes it way more fun. If you are on the fence about choosing college or a gap year, take a gap year! Life will start to get busy and you won’t want to regret it if you don’t go when you have the time! You’ll have so many stories to share and memories to cherish and nothing really compares to that.

What would you improve about this program?
There were some tours that were very boring and they were really strict on attendance but other than that, they give you a lot of slack as to how you spend your time on your gap year
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Faith
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience

My case is a little unusual, I decided to take a gap year after already completing a year of college. I didn’t know what I wanted to do until I stumbled upon this program and knew it was something I needed to do! I met so many amazing people, not just in my cohort, but around the world. I got to learn Japanese and experience Japanese culture. I traveled through Europe for the first time, and got a chance to Australia for my internship. Even though the program was cut short due to the virus I’m so glad I got to experience what I could! If you’re considering doing this, definitely go ahead and sign up.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
If you’re thinking about doing something, just go ahead and do it!
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Abbie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A life changing experience

My gap semester was tailored to my interests and exceeded every expectation I had of living and studying abroad! I went into the semester not sure where my path after high school was headed, and left the program with a new mindset and confidence of the way I wanted my future to look! Living in a new place without your family for the first time can be a scary thing, and it was for me, but the growth that occurred because of it changed my life and I am so glad I took this opportunity to grow, learn, and see new amazing places. Leaving the program I have so much more confidence in myself as well as independence and I know I’m ready to take on this next chapter of my life! I would recommend a gap year to anyone who feels they need some time to grow and decide their next step, as well as anyone who loves to travel and see the world! I’ll never forget the places I’ve seen, the people I’ve met, or the things I’ve learned.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The most unfamiliar thing I ate on my gap semester would definitely be raw herring in Amsterdam. My group got the chance to try it and I couldn’t pass up the cultural experience even if I knew it would taste awful (which it did) because I don’t like raw fish. Still worth it though!

Programs

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Professional Associations

USA Gap Year Fairs Logo
World Youth and Student Travel Conference Logo