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Gap Year Programs in Germany

Put your dirndl or lederhosen on and let’s embarque on a gap year adventure to the fairytale land of Germany. Study, work or internship in big international cities like Berlin, Frankfurt or Munich, and imerge yourself in the German culture through exploring the beautiful countryside. Visit incredible castles and historical places, wander through the Black Forest, go skiing in the Alps, cruise down the Danube or Rhein and feast on the famous German bratwurst. If you’re interested in a fun but fruitful gap year, then the German gap year is the perfect choice.

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19 Gap Year Programs in Germany

CIEE students in Germany
00 reviews

CIEE High School Grads Abroad

CIEE First Year Abroad in Berlin

Put your global education first! See Berlin and start college at ...

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GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
9.6534 reviews

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

GoEco - Top Rated & Award Winning Volunteer Programs Abroad

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with awa...

Semester at Sea
9.5332 reviews

Semester at Sea

Semester at Sea: Global Study Abroad on a Floating Campus

Join Semester at Sea on this global journey and make the world YO...

EF Gap Year
8.7431 reviews

EF Gap Year

EF Gap Semester: 10-Week Programs in Multiple Destinations

Embark on a unique global experience in 10 weeks. An EF Gap Semes...

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Gapforce
9.229 reviews

Gapforce

Europe Tour with Gapforce

Experience the ultimate European adventure every summer, travelin...

Volunteer World
8.7512 reviews

Volunteer World

Volunteer World: Best Volunteer Abroad Programs Worldwide

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find ...

World Unite!
00 reviews

World Unite!

Farm Work in Germany

Set out on an adventure with a placement on a farm in Germany and...

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Angloville
00 reviews

Angloville

Travel for Free & Become a Language Mentor in Berlin

The Angloville Eurotrip bus has stopovers in four major European ...

Linguistic Horizons
9.888 reviews

Linguistic Horizons

Custom Internship Placements in Europe

Unlike other "cookie-cutter" internship programs, we secure custo...

IES Abroad
9.8312 reviews

IES Abroad

IES Abroad - Study Abroad in Germany

Study abroad in Germany with IES Abroad and expand your education...

Europe Gap Year
00 reviews

Europe Gap Year

European Catalyst: Skills and Cultural Immersion

A new challenge is just around the corner! Dive into European cul...

World Voyage
8.512 reviews

World Voyage

Au Pair Abroad with World Voyage

Live, learn, and grow with World Voyage's au pair program! Combin...

The Cultural Exchange Project
94 reviews

The Cultural Exchange Project

Au Pair in Germany with The Cultural Exchange Project

Travel and still save money! Yes, this is possible when you work ...

Youth For Understanding (YFU)
7.52 reviews

Youth For Understanding (YFU)

Study Abroad in Germany | YFU

Germany offers an exciting and diverse modern culture with histor...

AuPair World
00 reviews

AuPair World

Gap Year Experience as an Au Pair

Would you like to get an authentic insight into a foreign country...

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Latest Program Reviews

The Key to a New Beginning

by: Alyssa Galdamez - United StatesProgram: EF Gap Semester: 10-Week Programs in Multiple Destinations
9

Being part of the first ever Voyager semester in Fall 2023 was an experience I was unprepared for, and the best decision I could’ve ever made. Little did I know that by embarking on this endeavor, I would unlock a part of myself that I didn’t know existed until then. My semester with EF Gap Year taught me self-love, self discovery, and the importance of being uniquely myself. Never did I think it was possible to be able to afford this trip of a lifetime, but I was left with so much satisfaction and so much pride that I had set this goal and I achieved it. This semester taught me that I can do anything I set my mind to and no goal is too big or too impossible. I flew to the other side of the world by myself and saw glowing blue oceans in Thailand that I never thought I’d be able to witness in my lifetime. I learn pieces of languages from each country I spent time in. I connected with people I would’ve never met without this experience and found with locals who had so much passion for their homeland and wanted to share it with me. Was I prepared for this transformation and self growth? No, and only because it was more than I could ever ask for. To anyone who is scared to take such a leap of faith, do it anyway. I haven’t met one person who regretted doing this for themselves, or thought it was a waste of time or money. Dream big, and you will reach the stars.

A Guide to Gap Year in Germany

Popular Locations

It goes without saying that big cities like Berlin, Munich, or Aachen offer opportunities for gappers in any field and are the first choice, but here are some other popular locations to consider. 

Cologne or Köln, will enchant anyone with its perfect mixture of gothic cathedrals and modern architecture. Find job or internship opportunities in large international companies (like Ford), study your course-of-choice at some of the best universities in the world, or volunteer to support meaningful causes in the local community. Basque in the beauty and history of the city—almost every street corner has it’s own story. The Cologne Cathedral will take your breath away! Lose yourself in Cologne’s old town, and drink kölsch with the locals. There’s no better way to immerse yourself on your gap year in Germany.

Stuttgart. Home to some of the most famous automotive companies in the world, this great swabian city offers endless opportunities for international students, volunteers, or future employees. Stuttgart beckons cultural junkies with acclaimed opera, ballet, the philharmonic, and incredible historic sights; the auto fans with the Mercedes Benz Museum; the sports fans with great soccer clubs and arenas; and any travel lover with it’s great festivals, concerts, and some of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the world. If you’re music-obsessed, you’ll love knowing that The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, and Duran Duran have played at the Porsche Arena. (You should probably check out the venue schedule and book tickets now!).

Berlin. The fall of the Berlin Wall in the late 20th century spun Berlin along a path very few could predict. What remains is an indomitable local spirit, incredible monuments to peace, and a wonderful, graffiti-strewn wall. If you want your gap year in Germany to focus on world history, development, or human rights, you’d be hardpressed to find a better German city than Berlin. Prost!

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