Est-ce que tu parles français? Or ¿Quieres aprender español? No matter the language or your proficiency level, gap year language immersion programs are great opportunities for diving head first into a new culture, which is best experienced through local languages. You will have the opportunity to build deep connections, gain confidence in your language abilities, and learn to embrace making mistakes and accepting them as opportunities for learning and growth.
Gap year programs abroad after high school are a great way to learn more about yourself, a new culture, and even a new language.
Gap year programs open up doors for exploration of your greatest passions, as well as those ideas that pop into your head that you can’t seem to shake. If you have been thinking about wanting to improve your language skills, or start learning a new language from step one, gap year travel programs and gap year language programs may be perfect for you. Learning a language abroad is a transformational experience—challenging, but worthwhile nonetheless.
With your willingness to embrace the highs and the lows, your eagerness to consume and comprehend a new language, and your desire to explore not only a new part of the world, but also a new part of yourself, gap year language immersion programs will change your perspective on life.
What makes these the best?
Another perk of going overseas with any of these awesome immersion programs? You’ll make lots of like-minded new friends along the way.
Before we give you the scoop on these best gap year language program MVPs, here’s why they nabbed a spot on our list:
- Proven results. The best language programs abroad for a gap year have measured results of your fluency capabilities post-program. They constantly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of their teachings and have tangible proof to back it up!
- A customizable package. Do you want to do a homestay to really up your language skills? Do you prefer to learn one on one, in a small group, or university lecture-hall style? These programs adapt their offerings to meet YOUR needs and goals.
- Proven safety record. Accidents happen abroad no matter how prepared you are, but how well can your program facilitator handle unexpected challenges and safety threats? These organizations value student safety and have a track record to prove it.
- Raving reviews. You know a gap year language program is killin’ it when the majority of their alumni rate a five star experience!
7 top gap year language programs
1. Nepal Semester (Gap Year) with Where There Be Dragons—10.0
Where There Be Dragons creates actively intentional and purposeful programs for students looking for BIG experiences, like you. You will not only have the opportunity to learn local languages within the Himalayas, you will also be able to explore the depths of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Shamanism, live with local host families, and trek through rugged and remote Himalayan beauty. Talk about a transformational experience. With this kind of exceptional program, your global perspective will expand, and you will lead life closer to active global citizenship than ever before.
- Where? Nepal: Chitwan, Kathmandu, Kopan, Rural Areas
- What? Adventure travel, experiential learning, language immersion, and study abroad
- More info: Read Where There Be Dragons reviews now!
2. Gap Year Abroad with Projects Abroad—10.0
If you are graduating from high school soon and feel the looming reality of life-after-high-school on your shoulders, looking for gap year programs after high school is a wonderful option! And this program in particular is the perfect exploratory option for gap year programs abroad after high school. Projects Abroad creates gap year programs that allow participants (like you!) to explore their passion and become more confident in what they want to pursue in their futures. This program creates opportunities for you to learn languages in your choice of many locations around the world. If you are looking for gap year language programs that include volunteer opportunities, this program may be a great fit.
- Where? Various countries in Africa, Asia, Central & South America, and Europe
- What? Experiential learning, internships, journalism, language immersion, medical, sports, teach Abroad, volunteering, and wilderness
- More info: Read Project Abroad reviews now!
3. Central America Immersion with Carpe Diem Education Gap Year—9.55
During this three month long gap semester program, you’ll get to embrace the Spanish language while exploring sustainable living and development in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Roatan! You will be able to immerse yourself in various communities and cultures through gap year programs with Carpe Diem Education. This means more connections and more opportunities for language learning (and more places to fall in love with)! Through intercultural exchange, you will expand your view of the world and learn through experiential learning.
- Where? Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Roatan
- What? Experiential learning, language immersion, study abroad, volunteering, and wilderness
- More info: Read Carpe Diem Education reviews now!
4. 9 Months. 10 Countries. 100 Skills. The Best Gap Year Ever with Winterline Global Education—9.4
10 countries??? 100 skills???!!! This is one of the best gap year programs for exploration and movement in a time of change. Not only is this a language opportunity, but it is also an opportunity for you to learn other incredibly valuable skills to help prepare you for your future. Through exploring languages across so many locations, you are learning adaptability, cultural competence, and an increased ability of relating to people from different backgrounds and cultures. This program is customizable to fit your needs and desires. So, along with language immersion, you can explore other topics of interest that will help excite you about your future!
- Where? Costa Rica, Panama, India, Thailand, Cambodia, Rwanda, Italy, Germany, USA, Austria, Czech Republic, and South Africa
- What? Adventure travel, experiential learning, language immersion, medical, scuba diving, self-discovery, and study abroad
- More info: Read Winterline Global Education reviews now!
5. Tutor English & Learn Mandarin With Aupairia—9.13
Utilize your English skills in exchange for Mandarin learning—the perfect give and take! You will be able to experience a new culture firsthand and improve your Mandarin proficiency, while helping another eager language learner improve their English skills. Through living with local families, you will deeply immerse yourself in a new culture which opens up the value of your Mandarin skills. Through an intentional application process, you will be able to be matched with the perfect family that will make your experience transformational!
- Where? China: Beijing, Dalian, Shanghai, Shenzhen
- What? Au pair, jobs, language immersion, and teach abroad
- More info: Read Aupairia reviews now!
6. Pacific Discovery New Zealand & Australia Gap Year Semester—9.67
If you’re looking for an opportunity to engage your passions while down under, this Pacific Discovery program will allow you to do just that. You’ll be immersed into a small group led by experienced international Pacific Discovery instructors while completing a three week conservation service learning project, five outdoor expeditions, and other outdoor education opportunities across New Zealand and Australia—all while immersing you to knew languages ad cultures. Your boundaries will be challenged and your global perspective will deepen. Embrace this experience with open arms and you’ll walk away standing taller with undeniable confidence!
- Where? Various cities in Australia and New Zealand
- What? Adventure travel, language immersion, study abroad, and volunteering
- More info: Read Pacific Discovery reviews now!
7. World's #1 Affordable Volunteer Programs. Trusted By 90,000+with IVHQ#1" class="wysiwyg-hashtag">#1 Affordable Volunteer Programs. Trusted By 90,000+with IVHQ—9.56
Feel safe and fully taken care of in the hands of IVHQ, the world’s most trusted and safest volunteer abroad organization. You can create gap year language immersion programs based on your personal interests ranging from one week to six month long programs. Depending on your language interests, you can find plenty of locations to choose from around the world including Costa Rica, Italy, Peru, India, South Africa, Portugal, Thailand, Nepal, Madagascar, Laos, Uganda, Philippines, Jamaica, and Belize—just to name a few!! Find your language inspiration and make a difference at the same time.
- Where? Asia, North America, Africa, South America, and Europe
- What? Adventure travel, experiential learning, language immersion, scuba diving, self-discovery, teach abroad, and volunteering (just to name a few!!)
- More info: Read IVHQ reviews now!
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Learn a foreign language on your gap year!
If you’ve ever wanted to learn or improve your language skills, there’s no better way than to take on one of these programs.
Now that you’ve read through some of the best gap year programs out there for language immersion, you have some big decisions to make. Why should you take a gap year? What should you pack? What happens after your gap year? No matter, what your questions are, we’re here to help! All you have to do, is say yes (or sí, ja, et oui), and open your mind and heart to the experience that will transform your language skills and your global perspective.
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