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38 Art Gap Year Programs
EF Education First
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Spend 12 inspiring weeks exploring Barcelona, Rome, and Paris—three of Europe’s most iconic cities. This immersive semester blends cultural discovery, local language learning, and once-in-a-lifetime adventures with a supportive travel community. In Barcelona (Weeks 1–4), learn conversational Spanis
The Intern Group
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Our Gap Year Internship Programs offer students the chance to gain international work experience while exploring the world. Available across Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, and Latin America, these programs are ideal for gap year students seeking to boost their résumé, develop professional s
GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
4.83
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Meet the amazing people who call the settlements surrounding Cape Town home. By joining this project, you will get to make a real difference in the community and in the lives of the children, adults and families living in the area through a variety of ways. The residents of the community are looki
See All 3 ProgramsGo Abroad China Ltd.
4.65
23
Go Abroad China’s High School Chinese Language Immersion Program is designed for international students aged 13–18 who want to learn Chinese in China while experiencing authentic Chinese culture in a safe and supportive environment. Students can choose from University Chinese Language Programs, Sm
4.4
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This all-in-one semester begins with one month traveling Spain by train, followed by two months in Barcelona where you choose your pathway. You’ll build soft skills (communication, confidence, problem-solving), hard skills (Spanish, digital tools, cooking), professional skills through internships or
Where There Be Dragons
5
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Experience the westernmost outpost of the Arab world. Travel from forested mountains to the Sahara Desert while studying different languages, faiths, and cultures across the Straits of Gibraltar. From the rise and fall of empires to the cross-cultural exchanges that have left an indelible mark on b
See All 2 ProgramsVolunteer World
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Tanzania is a prime example of what most people expect when they think about Africa. The endless wilderness of the national parks with a vast variety of wild animals in their natural surroundings, the exotic and colorful Maasai culture and mountaintops from where you feel like you could see the edge
See All 3 Programs4.67
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Looking for a teaching internship abroad with real classroom responsibility — not just observation? At Lüderitz Blue School, Southern Namibia's only international Cambridge IGCSE school, you'll teach or tutor motivated students in a small, close-knit environment where your subject expertise genuinel
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
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Sign up for this gap year program, which provides the opportunity to spend one or two semesters in Barcelona. The UAB welcomes students who have completed secondary education and wish to prepare for their next academic step. Whether you have already decided on a degree or are still looking for new
Academic Programs Abroad (APA)
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Experience the French savoir-faire and the traditions of its makers with APA Paris: Gap Year. This 13-week program combines French language immersion, academics, and firsthand encounters to understand the cultural intricacies of French society. To set the linguistic foundation, students begin the t
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Rooted Life Adventures’ Australia Gap Year is a transformative 10-week intentional community for young women and non-binary individuals (ages 18 - 24) seeking adventure, growth, and deep self-discovery. With 24/7 support from a therapeutic coach, you’ll learn how to start a business from a female e
Institute for Global Studies
4.57
7
IGS has placed students in some of the world’s most exciting museums. Our internship placements typically fall into two categories: working on the floor or conducting research and marketing behind the scenes. Floor work includes assisting the docent in the setup and interpretation of current exh
See All 5 ProgramsAcademic Programs International
4.45
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Immerse yourself in French culture and the way of life in Paris, France! Whether it is gastronomic greatness, artistic endeavor, or cultural cachet you are looking for, there is no doubt that the City of Light still sits right at the top of the European heap. Visit wondrous landmarks, including the
African Impact
4.48
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The African bush is full of unforgettable moments — a lion stretching at sunrise, elephants cooling off at the river, or the quiet stillness before a storm. This Wildlife Photography Volunteering program in South Africa with African Impact gives you the chance to capture these moments while also con
Volunteering Journeys
4.92
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Our Volunteer programs in India are based in Kerala, Southern India. Despite a fast growing economy owing to the Dot Com revolution in the late 90’s, a large portion of the Indian people are impoverished and in need of basic human necessities. Access to clean water, sanitation facilities and quality
Cow House Studios
5
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Discover your creative potential with our Gap Year Art Program Course, FieldWorks, at Cow House Studios in Wexford, Ireland. Designed for young artists aged 18 to 21, this 12-week program offers a unique blend of studio time, workshops, and trips to help you grow as an artist You'll get hands-on ex
Korea Gapyear
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This is a professional training program where you can learn nail art techniques in Jeonju, South Korea. Gain hands-on experience with Korean beauty trends and practical skills, and take the next step toward becoming a global nail art professional. This project goes beyond basic nail art training, o
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Join Daakyepa Volunteers for a meaningful community service and cultural immersion experience. Volunteers live in a comfy volunteer house and support community-led projects that benefit children, youth, families, and underserved communities. Depending on your interests, you may take part in educatio
The American College of Greece
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Considering postponing your plans for college? You may decide to delay starting a degree program, but you don't need to postpone achieving your academic goals! The Gap Year Program at The American College of Greece offers you the opportunity to earn college credit while immersing yourself in Greek h
Volunteers Around The World
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Seeking a pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-veterinary, or global and public health-related leadership opportunity abroad? Join the VAW Global Team Leader Fellowship. We are looking for Team Leaders and Chapter Presidents at your university or within your community! The Team Leader (TL) will have a numb
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Discover Tanzania while making a real difference. Join the Kyosei Foundation and support education and farming at Kyosei Pre & Primary School. Work on an organic farm project that provides food for students and teaches sustainable agriculture. Engage with children through education, sports, and life
GapGuru
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Explore the hidden treasures of Cambodia while creating a real, lasting difference in local communities. Immerse yourself in the country’s rich culture and history as you work alongside locals to tackle pressing challenges like poverty and environmental sustainability. Choose your Impact Area and d
World Class Programs
4.91
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Have an adventurous, creative experience of authentic culture and lifestyle in Florence, Italy, plus frequent day and weekend trips around the country to Pisa, Venice, Milan, Rome, Siena, Sicily, and more! Designed for students of all academic backgrounds, we are so excited to see students experienc
See All 3 Programs0
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Based in an 18th-century chateau in Normandy, France, Creative Semester is a 9-week multidisciplinary program that helps you think and see like an artist, connect with your peers, and grow your creativity. Through shared projects, discussions about art and artists, and moments of reflection, you’ll
See All 2 ProgramsAsia Exchange
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Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) is recognized as Sri Lanka’s largest and one of the most prestigious non-state degree-awarding Institutes, offering world-class education in information technology, engineering, business, and other disciplines. Over the past two decades, SLIIT ha
Volunteer International Adventures
4.9
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Teach at local community schools in Knysna, South Africa, in this volunteer project. Support the development of children by teaching them English, Natural Science, Maths, Dance, Music, Sports, and other subjects. You could also assist with reading groups in school libraries or special needs activiti
A Guide to Art Gap Year Programs
Popular locations
Everywhere in the world can be a destination for artistic inspiration… but where should you go if you want to learn from the best and develop your skills as an artist?
Spain. Really? Here? YES! Spain was once a muse to both Salvador Dali AND Pablo Picasso. No wonder, Spain is as colorful and flavorful as a kaleidoscope feast. Enroll in a gap year art course program in Spain to live amongst a culture who values pleasure as a daily necessity. You can find gap year art programs along the coast and paint your picturesque cliffside sunset or find a program inland that calls to you to sculpt the Pyrenees profile.
Italy. Work at next year’s fashion week in the cultural congestion or take a bus ride out to the sunflower-laden hills and live in a place where the distant birds, whispering wind, and your very breath are the loudest things. Either way, taking a gap year art course program in the remnants of the Italian Renaissance won’t hurt your art career. Take a gap year in Rome or Florence and work with museums to develop their outreach programs or even lead museum tours in one of the 44 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Magnifico!
Brazil. South America isn’t usually initially thought of when people think of “art,” but that needs to change ASAP. Why? Brazil, in particular, is weaved with all styles of artistic expression. Dancing is embraced at all hours of the day and night. Musical performances extend from the private comforts of a home to group masterpieces along the streets in neighborhoods. Theatre masterpieces ripple out of production studios into the rest of the town. And lastly, photography captures the best of landscapes ranging from the Amazon rainforest to island-studded coastlines. Wow, right? What a perfect place for an art gap year program!
Everything else you need to know about gap year art course programs
Costs. All the countries listed above generally have costs of living comparably to living the U.S. (I know, I know. Even living the U.S. varies extensively). Want to make money fast for your gap year? Share your dreams and plans for taking a gap year on FundMyTravel to crowdsource some extra dough before you head out on your journey. Save up as much as you can before you leave to study art abroad so that when you need to purchase a new memory card, a new brush, or a box to ship back all your creations you can do so without worrying.
Accommodations. Most art gap year programs with set you up to live in dorms or a nearby apartment building, depending on what environment you stay. Drawn to the center of the city? Expect an apartment. Planning your destination in a more remote area? You might end up staying with a host family, with other gappers in a shared living situation, or in a dorm with one other aspiring artist like you!
Visas. Ahhh, sweet visas. Nearly everyone needs this special document to be able to stay in a country for a gap year. Don’t be frazzled, the GoAbroad embassy directory is here to help to get what you need way ahead of time before you embark to study art abroad.
Safety. Cultural norms vary all across the world. If safety is a huge concern for you, speak with your program provider in the beginning to see what measures are already in place for them to help you if something goes wrong. Most of the time, travelers are overly cautious in a foreign land and have a more impervious experience abroad than at home!
GoAbroad’s Inside Scoop
Surrender to the experience abroad. This means that you trust that you made the best decision for you at this time and you’ll let yourself be taken away by new situations (within reason, let’s not be careless) and learn things you didn’t know were possible.
How can you make the most out of your art course gap year experience? Pack lightly and start your trip with a blank canvas. Let your art consume you and paint your reality when you are living abroad. Leave yourself enough space to bring home your masterpieces, invest in another suitcase, or find places to donate your work. They would make great Thank You gifts to those that helped you along your way or meaningful souvenirs to your friends waiting for you back at home.
So, what’s your muse? Maybe you need to do a gap year art course program abroad to find out. ;-)
Keep reading, ambitious teens!
Latest Program Reviews
Best Gap Year I Could've Asked For
March 05, 2026by: Dora Rubin - United StatesProgram: Morocco & Spain Semester: Culture & Borderlands (Gap)
While on my Dragons program, I learned not only about the world around me and new places and people, but I also gained confidence in myself. My program had a focus on cultural immersion and understanding how Morocco and Spain are connected. This was very interesting to learn about, and we did this via language lessons, homestays, and meeting local people. Overall, I realized that the world is much more interconnected than I thought, and I have been inspired to continue traveling and to immerse myself in different cultures intentionally. Luckily, I have also found a global community that is like-minded through Where There Be Dragons, and I feel that after my program, I have a whole new world of opportunities available to me.
Lifelong Networks and Connections
February 11, 2026by: Miri Künzler - United StatesMy decision to take a gap year came later in my high school career, and while my time spent at Cow House Studios was one semester, it has encompassed everything I wanted and needed within that decision. The culmination of new material, incredibly expansive resources, and self guided practices truly nurtured my soul as an artist. I felt so safe and my practice was uplifted and encouraged by everyone there. Some of my most treasured memories come from simply talking about what it means to be an artist with friends and especially all of my mentors: Rosie, Frank, Roísín, Dee, Sinead, and even Michael (Rosie's dad) whenever he would pop into the studio! :) This community is so connected, and truly feels like family. The depth of history and transformation the space has gone through is so inspiring, and there is so much care within every inch. The library, my room with my roommate who is now like my sister, and the kitchen having long chats with Dee, all feel like a home that will never leave my heart. Every moment I spent in Teach Muc (the clay studio), the darkroom, my studio, and even writing and reading by the fire, nourished my creativity and absolutely taught me how to take care of myself as an artist, and have patience with my practice. Above all else, the connection with the land and environment I was able to foster changed my life. I learned how to explore and play again, and the long walks I took exploring the fields, creeks, forests, and mountains solitary and with others absolutely reawakened my inner child. Additionally, the visits to other spaces for artists such as the Red Barn Residency, Workhouse Union, and Blackbird Culture Lab enriched my perspective of correlations between regenerative agriculture, environmental activism, and the arts. The interactions with curators and a wide range of exhibitions were eye opening and have absolutely provided me with a network of artists, activists, and community organizers in which I am so grateful to Rosie and Frank for. It was a very big deal and investment for my family to send me to Cow House Studios, and words cannot express the gratitude I feel for my time spent there. To say it was life changing would be an understatement; my connection with that space and all of the other communities I was introduced to feel lifelong. I am also incredibly grateful that Cow House offers several scholarships given that it is a fairly small family run business. (Which is another reason why you should support them!) I believe everyone should get the opportunity to experience the freedom, support, and eye opening experiences my time spent there provided me.

Incredible experience
June 18, 2025by: EmilyOur 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!
Delivered Well beyond Our Expectations
December 04, 2024by: Ken Silliman - United StatesSpanish Gap Year: Our son, who is a junior at a large east coast US university, decided to take a GAP semester to gain life and real-world work experience. After meeting with a consultant at Gap Year Solutions, he was able to learn about a number of different GAP options in different countries. After careful deliberation, he chose The Spanish Gap Year Future Leaders Entrepreneurship program. He had an amazing experience with this program and gained more self-confidence, especially by navigating through a foreign country. He really loved the Spanish culture, and totally benefited from the entrepreneurial activities/projects and mentoring offered by the Program. I visited him in Barcelona, and I was really impressed with the housing (clean, safe, and excellent amenities). He spoke very highly he quality of work given to him at his internship (Lean Mail) and really liked his boss. The Program's mentors and group activities were also top-notch (fun and enriching). He now feels inspired to return to school with renewed enthusiasm and has very valuable experience to put on his resume, not to mention wonderful memories! https://spanishgapyear.com/future-leaders/


My experience
November 28, 2024by: Theo Robinson - United StatesMy main goal going into this program was to improve my Spanish, and I was definitely successful with that, however you have to be intentional in ensuring that you are placed in a Spanish speaking internship, take advantage of extra Spanish classes, etc. Sagri and Maryam were very helpful, kind, and proactive, however the program’s instructions could be unclear at times. I personally had a fantastic time, but I think that you have to be self-driven to get the most out of it. Spain is a beautiful country, and it was a pleasure to spend 3 months here. The program has definitely opened my eyes to a new culture, and provided a good environment to grow as a person.
Abes’ Review
November 28, 2024by: Abe Spector - United StatesI had an awesome experience with this program. The month in Madrid was amazing and it was neat to go live in Barcelona. The only issue is that there are not nearly as many program activities in Barcelona as there are in Madrid. The fullest enjoyment of this program requires someone very self motivated.
Amazing experience:)
August 03, 2024by: Clara Meekins - United StatesFrom 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.
Fabulous program!
June 29, 2024by: Lene Otzen - BrazilMy son participated in the Future Leaders’ program and it was a great experience. I loved how the program started out in Madrid with a host family followed by two months in Barcelona where he lived in his own room, a great transition towards independence. The program is very well structured and run super professionally - as the program is new we didn’t really know what to expect but we were impressed by the dedication and organization of both teachers, classes, internships & mentors.
Latest Interviews

Luisa Rulfo
Baret Scholars
What inspired me to go abroad was a mix of restlessness and curiosity—a need to understand the world beyond my small orbit. I always sensed that life ...

Alisa Regassa
Tidelines Institute
I knew that Alaska was a place I'd wanted to visit—and visit meaningfully. I saw this opportunity, and it seemed like it was the perfect time and plac...

Vivianne Kaiwei Zhang Wei
Wanderlust Exchange
I was looking to take a gap year between my undergraduate and Master’s studies, and going to China just made sense to me.

Caoimhe Flood
EF Gap Year
I have always loved to travel and this opportunity gave me the chance to explore places I have never been before. I also wanted to travel while I was ...

Drew Beasley
ARCC Programs
When I was in high school, I never seriously considered taking time off from school. I started college at Chapman University in the fall of 2018. Unfo...

Alexander Gagliardo
InnerPathWorks
I was having trouble succeeding at my engineering school during my first semester. They said, “Hey, if you're having trouble you can leave at anytime ...

Charlie Aziz
Where There Be Dragons
I wanted to go somewhere that was completely unknown to me in order to really know what the world is like. With math and science never being my forte ...

Zohaib Qazi
(DEAD URL) Aupairia
Traveling has always been something on my bucket list, for my own personal development and education. And now that I've finished up with university, i...

Ian Davis
Omprakash
I was raised in a small upstate New York town and felt that being immersed in another culture would be invaluable for my perspective.
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