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Catholic Gap Year Programs

Even God commanded the people of Israel to take a year off from working the fields and give it to God. So why not take a Catholic gap year yourself and give back to the world? Immerse yourself in a new culture and way of life, while you develop yourself spiritually and mentally. If you want to improve your relationship with God, or simply want to give a helping hand, a Catholic gap year is the way to go. Put your faith and beliefs into actions and let’s create a better world—sign up now!
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3 Catholic Gap Year Programs

Go Abroad China Ltd.

9.78

9

High School Language & Cultural Immersion in China for Teens

Designed specifically for ambitious high school students (ages 13-18), Go Abroad China’s Cultural Immersion Program offers a structured and safe gateway to mastering Mandarin and understanding China. Since 2003, we have crafted immersive experiences that blend intensive language instruction at leading schools with authentic cultural engagement. Our curriculum is balanced: mornings focus on classroom learning and one-on-one tutoring, while afternoons are dedicated to cultural workshops, tours, and exchanges with local Chinese high school students. Students live the language through carefully vetted homestays, shared apartments, or campus dormitories, ensuring daily practice and a deep connection to local life. With round-the-clock supervision and support from our dedicated coordinators, safety and guidance are paramount. This transformative journey builds more than language skills—it fosters global citizenship, enhances university applications, and creates lifelong international friendships. Choose from flexible short-term summer camps or semester-long programs, all tailored to fit individual academic goals.

World Class Programs

9.89

47

Historic Capital of Tuscany - Florence, Italy Summer Program

World Class Programs offers high school students the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy. Our summer program is designed for teens from all academic backgrounds who are excited about immersing themselves in Italian culture and lifestyle. This pre-college program offers various course study options, including Art History, Fine Arts, Philosophy, Photography, Architecture, Italian language, and Tuscan Cuisine. Students can choose a major course for daily focus (Monday to Friday) in the mornings for three hours. Then, they attend elective classes, each lasting two hours, three times a week in the afternoons. On weekends, they go on day trips around Italy to explore cultural differences from city to city. Locations vary yearly; previous participants have visited Cinque Terre, Siena, Pisa, and Venice!

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A Guide to Catholic Based Gap Year

Popular Locations

If you’re not sure where you should head, here are some of our popular locations for a Catholic gap year.

Western Europe. Christianity is the largest religion in Europe, and there are a number of significant countries that are Catholic, like Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, Portugal, Poland, Spain—the list goes on. If you are not interested in just studying the Bible, then study the history of the Catholic churches on the continent, starting with the Catholic Church in Europe. If you get lucky, you might even get to see the Pope. (!) In the meantime, enjoy the beautiful sceneries, take in the amazing architecture of so many detailed, ornate churches, and let your soul be at ease as you step in such sacred places.

Asia. Countries like India, China, Indonesia, Singapore, or Malaysia offer endless opportunities for a Catholic gap year. Volunteer to help in the local community and work with kids or elders, or enroll into a Catholic mission trip and share your faith while traveling. Some formal programs also offer extracurricular activities, like traveling to popular areas and sights, trekking, rafting or safari. This is the perfect time to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the world, don’t you think?

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