Imagine flipping through a book on a hammock under a Caribbean palm tree; watching the sun set over the Alhambra with international classmates; hiking up to Machu Picchu over a long weekend with your host brother; stuffing your mouth with empanadas while relaxing in wine regions at the foot of the Andes; saving turtles and teaching the ABCs to little kids in Guatemala.
Your Spanish immersion gap year will have no shortage of beautiful sites.
What do these have in common? You’re clearly taking a Spanish immersion gap year! With over 400 million native Spanish speakers and 21 countries with Spanish as the official language, that’s a LOT of new amigos to chat with and fun places to hang out in.
Whether you’re taking a year off before college, between semesters, during a midlife crisis, or as a senior opportunity, gap year language programs are one of the best ways to spend meaningful time abroad. Not only do you soar from A1 to C2 in the blink of an eye, but you get all the cultural immersion and taboo slang terms not covered in textbooks.
And with the warm hospitality of latin blood, a gap year Spanish immersion program is gonna be as caliente as salsa beats and as rico as your favorite taco filling.
6 best Spanish immersion gap year programs
Editor’s note: This information on Spanish immersion gap year programs was accurate at the time of publishing. Please refer to each individual program for current data.
1. International Internships in Chile — 9/10
The Intern Group’s International Internships program in Chile is open to people of all backgrounds and experience levels that want a business experience in the financial hub of Latin America.
Pairing up with local businesses, NGOs, and larger companies, this gap year Spanish immersion program boosts your professional network to the next level while placing you between the rugged Pacific coastline, the soaring Andes, the vast Atacama Desert in the north, and Patagonia’s glaciers in the south.
As the most “European” country in South America, Chile is as bacán as it gets and the program’s private accommodations allow all the space necessary to explore the national pastimes and cuisines that interest you most.
- Where? Chile
- How long? 3-6 months
- Read The Intern Group reviews
2. Explore the Cultures of Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru — 9.91/10
Youth International’s Latin America program is all about getting a hands-on experience south of the equator. Hopping around between Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru, this adventure includes a trek to Machu Picchu, a hop out to the Galapagos Islands, hostels, host families, and no shortage of local transportation.
With several volunteer projects, optional college credit, Spanish classes, rainforest conservation work, and working with kids, this YI program is ideal for those who like constant motion, a variety of activities, and a glimpse of different regions.
- Where? Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru
- How long? 12 weeks
- Read Youth International reviews
3. Gap Year Study Abroad Program with Euroace — 9/10
Located in Valencia, Spain, Euroace offers a variety of opportunities to learn Spanish in Spain for more than 14 years. Their gap year Spanish immersion program is 3-12 months of helpful advising sessions, host family pros, and language classes at certified schools.
Whether you want to focus on language, take an internship, volunteer with local organizations, or get some business experience in, Euroace is committed to expand your global network, increase work opportunities, and show you all of the best nooks for authentic tapas.
From flamenco to lisp-y siestas, Spain is the stepping stone to not only the cradle of the Spanish language, but also to weekend trips to Europe and Morocco (for those who want to trace Spain’s influences from Arabic).
- Where? Spain
- How long? Minimum 3 months
- Read Euroace reviews
4. Gap Year Abroad with Projects Abroad: Mexico — 10/10
Since 1992, Projects Abroad has been sending curious individuals to a variety of countries with service projects, volunteer placements, and internships. PA’s Mexican adventures are based in either Guadalajara or Cuyutlan, with local staff available 24/7 to answer any questions. Gap year options include working at a child care center, helping with turtle conservation projects, or getting hands-on experience at a local hospital.
With an emphasis on responsible volunteering and ethical organizations, whichever placement tickles your fancy is bound to make Mexico a better place while getting you all the r-rolling experience you need to order your own tlayudas, sing along to rancheras, and make a toast to accompany a shot of mezcal.
- Where? Mexico
- How long? Minimum 2 weeks
- Read Projects Abroad reviews
5. South America Semester: Andes and Amazon — 9.33/10
Where There Be Dragons is known to fill gap years with incredible memories and an adventurous dose of language acquisition. Their Andes & Amazon gap year program to learn Spanish is no different: glaciers, jungles, rainforests, indigenous tribes, mountaintop tent camps, boat trips, and plenty of coco leaves to help with new altitudes of increíble.
With the initial homestay in Cochabamba before heading off to explore natural wilderness, participants learn about political and social issues in the region, as well as resource management, globalization, environmental conservation, and indigenous tribes.
College credit is available and it’s good to note that Where There Be Dragons also offer an activism gap year program in Guatemala for those who prefer Mesoamerican roots to Incan cultures.
- Where? Bolivia (+ some Peru)
- How long? 2 months
- Read Where There Be Dragons reviews
6. Country Jumper Gap Year – Costa Rica | Guatemala | Peru — 9/10
If you can’t decide which South American country you like the most (we don’t blame you), then Maximo Nivel’s Latin American gap year Spanish immersion program is for you. Since 2003, Maximo Nivel has been offering gap year programs and has some great perks: all-inclusive accommodation/meals, no registration fees, 24/4 on-site support, highly-rated field managers, and the flexibility to create your own program.
You can build your own experience between Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru (or just pick one), deciding what you’d like to do where and for how long. Some options include Spanish language classes, surf schools, child care, community service, eco-agricultural placements, construction, and jungle conservation work...plenty of sunshine and maíz included in all packages.
- Where? Costa Rica, Guatemala, Peru
- How long? 12 weeks up to a year
- Read Maximo Nivel reviews
We can make the choice easier for you! Compare these programs side-by-side for FREE using MyGoAbroad
With gap year programs to learn Spanish, you’ll be a language pro in no time
Ready for your gap year full of Spanish immersion?
As you can see, there’s really no wrong place or time for gap year Spanish immersion programs. As a teen, not only will you gain the skill set to test out of Spanish during college, but you get to discover what you actually like out in the world.
As a higher education student, Spanish gap year programs can be doubled up with an internship or work experience abroad to really beef up that resume in a relevant field.
Professionals can volunteer some time abroad while taking the gap adventure, to delve deeper into a personal interest or completely change direction. Whatever your position in life, a Spanish immersion gap year is always muy bueno for continued growth.
Taking time off to become a Hispanophone is one of the best investments you can make in yourself, both professionally and personally. No matter which country (or countries!) you decide to call home, you’re becoming part of an international familia that’ll embrace you, make you jajaja, and always has an extra spot at the table. Break the monotony of everyday life and dive into la vida loca.
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