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Gap Year Programs in Italy

“Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow.” Remember studying Shakespeare in high school lit class? Now imagine visiting Juliet’s home in real time. Do a gap year in Italy and you can actually make it happen! An Italian gap year means exploring cobblestone corridors and ancient ruins. You’ll be surrounded by centuries old architecture (Roman Colosseum anyone?) and acres of scenic vineyards. And, while you’re traversing this Mediterranean melting pot, stuff yourself with mouthwatering pastas and gelato too, of course. Go on, take a gap year in Italy!
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53 Gap Year Programs in Italy

Seamester

Featured Provider of the Month

Italy
EF Education First logo

EF Education First

8.8

59

EF Gap Year - The Globetrotter

Spend 12 incredible weeks exploring Tamarindo, Rome, and Tokyo, t...

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Carpe Diem Education

9.17

6

Italy & Greece Semester | Carpe Diem Education Gap Year

Spend a gap semester exploring rich traditions and modern cultural identity in Italy and Greece. These two nations significantly influence how the Western world thinks about philosophy, art, religion, economics, and politics. Throughout their histories, they have shown resilience in adapting to social, political, and environmental change, and today, they continue to maintain a connection with traditional ways of living while also proactively addressing modern challenges associated with climate change's environmental and economic consequences. Italy and Greece provide rich historical context as to how societies have evolved to meet the demands of the modern era while remaining deeply rooted in cultural identity, tradition, and heritage. Carpe Diem Education takes you to Italy and Greece to engage with communities proactively addressing climate change through the lens of resilience and regeneration.

Colorful houses in Italy - IGS
Institute for Global Studies logo

Institute for Global Studies

9.57

7

Arts and Culture Internship (Cultural Museum)

IGS has placed students in some of the world’s most exciting muse...

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CIEE Gap Year Italy

CIEE High School Grads Abroad

0

0

CIEE College First Year Abroad in Rome

Your First Year Abroad program in Rome lasts 12 weeks and is desi...

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Italy

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

9.55

794

Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 9...

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

9.69

13

Italy - Liveaboard Dolphin Research Expedition

Join this amazing project and work alongside top researchers and an experienced crew as the boat sails through the waters around Naples, Italy. As part of the team, you’ll take turns scanning the waters as you try to find dolphins, whales, and other marine life. You may be asked to monitor the audio equipment, video equipment, or photography equipment both on deck and below deck to see the animals’ behavior underwater. When the encounter is over, volunteers will help enter the data into the computer system. The research done in this project is analyzed to provide crucial data to agencies that protect marine life and evaluate the effects of shipping vessels and fisheries on the marine ecosystem.

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Seamester Study Abroad at Sea

9.76

51

Seamester Study Abroad and Gap Year Voyages

Seamester is the educational adventure of a lifetime! For more than 40 years, we have offered unparalleled educational voyages where students spend a semester at sea sailing between islands, countries, and even continents. We design our programs to provide engaging learning experiences with real outcomes in ways that are impossible to replicate in the traditional classroom. Living as part of a close-knit team on an ocean-going vessel, our students learn fundamental lessons beyond academics: teamwork, leadership, and personal responsibility. They receive academic credit from the University of South Florida, along with PADI scuba certifications and IYT sailing certifications. Our programs are designed to inspire students to realize that it’s the journey, not the destination, that matters the most.

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Gapforce

9.22

9

Europe Tour with Gapforce

Experience the ultimate European adventure every summer, traveling safely and comfortably between cities via train so you have the maximum time exploring. Get ready to marvel at the history and culture of the Old World, from the art and violence of Renaissance Italian city-states via the high refinement of Viennese coffee houses to the color of Barcelona and the Romantic drama of the French Alps. Join a group of like-minded travelers for this fully escorted four-week adventure of a lifetime. This trip will take you sightseeing across Europe's finest cities.

Italian for a While

10

4

IFA Gap Year in Italy: Italian Language & Cultural Immersion

Become Italian for a While—the IFA Gap Year is for students, young adults, graduates, digital nomads, professionals, and more. Immerse yourself in the Italian language, life, and culture while gaining new friends. Take courses at an accredited local university to learn, become confident in Italian, and grow among international peers. IFA Gap Year - 8 to 12 Months Combine language study, cultural exploration, and personal growth. Discover Italy in its most authentic form, build new friendships, develop vital skills, and create memories that will last for a lifetime. Embrace the Italian lifestyle and ignite your transformative journey! Cannot commit to 8-12 months away? No problem. IFA offers shorter-term experiences lasting from 1 week to 7 months! Submit an inquiry to learn more about the Italian for a While program.

Academic Programs International

9.75

24

API: Experience Rome, Italy (Scholarships Available)

Once the center of the Roman empire, Rome offers you the chance to discover ancient world wonders as you explore the Mediterranean culture and modern Italy with API abroad! Choose to study between the John Cabot University and the American University of Rome as you learn surrounded by a city of culture, art, and history. There are so many ancient architectural wonders to explore—including the Colosseum, Pantheon, and the Arch of Constantine—that you won't know what to visit first! Take excursions to the historic city of Pompeii or even off the beaten path to the small towns of Lazio And Umbria, home to green hills, vineyards, and ancient villages. Rome offers much to learn and experience when you study with API Abroad! Check out our recently added Health and Human Services program! Visit our website for complete details. Courses will be taught in English. Learn from renowned faculty practitioners specializing in cutting-edge fields such as medical humanities, bioethics, medical anthropology, and other interdisciplinary areas.

Greenheart Travel

10

4

Study Abroad in Italy with Greenheart Travel

Spend a trimester, semester, or year studying abroad in Italy as a high school student, and live like a local while perfecting your Italian language skills. You are matched with a carefully screened host family and attend a local high school for a full immersion experience abroad. Now is your chance to explore Italy's history, art, language, and literature while boosting your college application and having the high school experience of a lifetime! Program at a glance: -- Host family accommodation provides full language and cultural immersion -- No previous Italian experience is required; beginners are welcome! -- You can choose from trimester, semester, or academic year lengths -- Start dates available in spring and fall -- Straightforward online application process

Linguistic Horizons

9.88

8

Custom Internship Placements in Europe

Unlike other "cookie-cutter" internship programs, we secure customized internship placements for our students. This program is ideal for a mature, autonomous student who is comfortable traveling abroad alone with remote support as opposed to local support. We do all the work that goes into securing you your dream internship. Participants will benefit from getting an internship that fits their interests and requirements. Valuable international experience in your field is priceless! Internships are available in Germany, France, Portugal, Italy, the UK, Greece, and Spain.

IES Abroad

9.45

11

IES Abroad - Study Abroad in Italy

Imagine studying abroad in Italy with IES Abroad, where you experience the past mingling with the present. You may pass Roman ruins, a medieval cathedral, and a Renaissance fountain, all on your way to class, shopping, or a modern art expo. When you study abroad, Italy becomes your classroom. Our programs offer the opportunity to explore not only your host city, but also some of the best sites that the country has to offer through our immersive cultural excursions. Explore historic and modern intricacies in business, culture, design, and more when you study abroad in Italy. With programs like modern fashion in Milan, archaeology in Rome, or even vinicultural business in Siena, IES Abroad is here to help you have the experience of a lifetime.

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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Intern Abroad HQ

9.21

72

Intern Abroad HQ - Affordable Internships From Just 2 weeks!

Are you a student or young professional looking to enhance your career prospects through international work experience and hands-on learning? At Intern Abroad HQ, we help students and young professionals turn career aspirations into reality. We organize affordable internships in 20 destinations across 24 career fields that are tailored to meet each individual’s academic, professional, or personal requirements. With over 200 internship programs across Europe, Asia, Africa, Central America and South America to choose from, and options to intern from 2 weeks to 6 months either full-time or part-time, in-country or virtually, we facilitate career-enhancing experiences that work for you, not just the host organization. Intern Abroad HQ is proudly brought to you by the team behind International Volunteer HQ. We have collectively supported over 120,000 program participants since 2007 and are the only B Corp certified provider in our field.

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Volunteer World

8.69

16

Volunteer World: Best Volunteer Abroad Programs Worldwide

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

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Global Work & Travel

10

1

Au Pair Italy – Complete Italian Cultural Experience

Life in Italy has been romanticized for centuries, which means all that romance must be infused into the fabric of this fabulous nation. Italians are serious about loving life. This shows up in their passion for fine dining, their elegant art—both modern and centuries old— and their family-focused lifestyle. As an au pair in Italy, you can call it home and become an integral part of your Italian host family. You live with them, eat with them, and have fun with them. This means anything you earn goes into your back pocket to fund your travels, eat delicious meals on your days off, or buy a new wardrobe on the cobbled streets of Milan. Explore the ruins of Rome, the rolling hills and wine region of Tuscany, or the global fashion capital of Milan. The staggering beauty of the Amalfi Coast can’t be described. You have to see it for yourself—while getting a chance to rub shoulders with the rich and famous.

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Soccer Camps International

0

0

Summer Soccer Camps in Italy with AC Milan, Juventus, Inter

Experience Italian soccer at its best with AC Milan Junior Camps, Inter Summer Camps, and Juventus Summer Camps! You will develop your skills at the AC Milan Junior Camps and stay in one of four beautiful Italian locations, in either a three-star or four-star hotel located in the Venice region. You will experience the Juventus of Turin soccer way of soccer and participate at the Juventus Summer Camps. You will stay in one of four wonderful locations around northern Italy, such as at the Vinovo camp in Turin, where you will practice at the training center of the Juventus Turin team. With Inter Summer Camps, The Official Summer Soccer Camps in Italy of Inter, Italian Serie A squad in Milan, your summer holidays will be immersed in Nerazzurri passion. During the camps, players will receive the highest quality technical teaching taught by Inter Youth Sector Instructors. In addition to soccer, the Camp offers the opportunity to make new friends among young fans. Learn new soccer skills, make new friends from all over the world, and improve your soccer level in the country of the 2006 Soccer World Cup Champions—Italy!

Art History Abroad

9.2

5

Summer Courses in Italy (2-4-7 weeks)

AHA’s summer courses are for keen travelers, curious students, and lifelong learners eager to explore Italy and Europe. This program is perfect for those in their final years of studies or taking a gap year. We run three consecutive summer courses, allowing students to tailor their experience to two to seven weeks. The European Summer Course immerses you in the creative energy of London, the elegance of Paris, and the sun-drenched charm of Nice. This course discovers the art that shaped the modern world. Dates: 16th of June - 7th of July 2025 The Northern Course dives deep into the heart of Rome, Florence, and Venice. It unveils the treasures of classical art, the Renaissance, and contemporary masterpieces. Each city offers a unique experience that ignites your creativity. Dates: 7th - 21st of July OR 21st of July - 4th of August 2025 The Southern Course whisks you away to the sun and sea of Sicily and Naples, where Greek temples blend seamlessly alongside breathtaking Baroque architecture, creating a captivating adventure. Dates: 7th - 21st of July 2025 Choose one, two, or combine all three courses for an ultimate seven-week gap year experience in Europe!

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Joinki

9.69

26

Exchange and Experience Italian Lifestyles with Joinki

Become part of the Joinki Language Tutor Program in Italy. This opportunity offers you a whole new way of experiencing cultural exchange since you will be given the chance to be an active member of a true Italian community. You will serve as an English or German language tutor to an Italian family in the Trentino Region. In return for providing exposure to the language for around 15 hours per week, focused on conversation and some language tutoring, you will receive a range of program perks. These include lodging and full board with an Italian family (with three meals per day), an Italian language course, one excursion every two weeks, and more. Positions are available throughout the year, with a duration of one to three months. Eligibility includes: - Capability to teach and tutor, motivation, and openness to foreign cultures - More than 18 years old - English or German mother tongue or equivalent C2 level of English or German - High school students, teaching school students, and teachers who have a love for foreign languages

A Guide to Gap Year in Italy

Popular Locations

A gap year in Italy plants you smack dab in middle of Europe’s hippest locales. You’ll have easy train access to hotspots like Athens and Barcelona. But stick around, because Italy alone is full of fantastic destinations—think fashion forward Milan and gondola laden Venice. Here’s where globetrotters love to crash for Italian gap years. 

Rome. This capital city owns bragging rights to 28 centuries of Italian history. Who wouldn’t want to spend their gap year in Rome? Gappers in Rome will be drenched in medieval and contemporary art (gap year art programs are great for this!) and history. Loads of world renowned colleges exist for study abroad gappers. With so much to get into, it’s easy to see why ancient residents called Rome the “Eternal City”—the excursions are endless. Cool fact: There’s actually an entire country that sits inside of Rome. Yup, the Pope’s crib, Vatican City! Are you a gapper wanting a stimulating experience chock full of cultural exchange? And do you wanna add nearby Mediterranean beaches to the mix? A gap year in Rome is your best bet.

Florence. Rome is super cool but maybe you’re looking for a more laid back gap year. Head a few hours north to Florence—it’s a top gap year spot for gap year excursionists with an epic social scene! So, what is it that draws folks to Florence? Well, there’s the fact that it’s the birthplace of the Renaissance! And it also balances small town life with tons of cool museums, cathedrals, monuments, art history, and outdoor markets. There are the acres of green hills of Florence countryside where wine and olive oil are made. And, if wanna do something really different, hit up a thermal spa just outside the city. You’ll find natural hot springs to bathe in!

Popular Providers

Frequently Asked Questions

You can definitely take a gap year in Italy. However, if you want to stay longer than the typical 90-day tourist visa, you will need to apply for a permesso di soggiorno within 8 days of your arrival.

Yes! International students flock to Italy year-round for high quality education. It should be noted, however, that students of color and those who identify as LGBTQIA+ may experience heightened prejudice in some areas.

The benefits of a gap year in Italy include meeting new people from around the world, discovering new perspectives and broadened horizons, and exploring new passions. Additionally, you'll enjoy language learning opportunities!

The most popular types of gap year programs in Italy include au pair jobs, English teaching jobs, wilderness/outdoors, and programs with a cultural focus, such as art history, architecture, and cooking.

Latest Program Reviews

I grew so much and had the time of my life doing so.

April 28, 2025by: Kate McLain - United StatesProgram: EF Gap Year - The Globetrotter
8

The voyager program was the best possible program that I could’ve taken. Between the people I was surrounded with, the staff, and the cultures I was immersed in, I was able to learn and connect. I have grown so much and I will be so grateful to EF for that. Throughout the journey, I mostly felt supported, especially with having food allergies, however, in Japan, the first tour guide, and myself did not always see eye to eye, therefore I did not feel supported. However, once this situation was remedied, we were given a lovely tour director named Mari. She was kind and cordial with the group and very knowledgeable about the area which made our experience all the more wonderful we learned so much and I am so grateful to EF for having this program. Shout out to my blue group.

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