Spanish Gap Year

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

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.

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.

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!

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.