Language Immersion Gap Year Programs in South America

Your First Year Abroad program in Buenos Aires lasts 12 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE courses and courses taught online through CIEE’s global academic partner, Arizona State University (ASU). Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Argentine culture. Live and learn in Buenos Aires! Buenos Aires is Argentina’s lively cultural hub, brimming with passion, art, and history – an unforgettable setting for students with any interests. Spend 12 weeks strolling the cobblestone streets of San Telmo, taking in the grandeur of the Teatro Colón, and sipping rich café con leche in charming neighborhood cafés. Whether you’re studying business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Buenos Aires is the perfect place to study abroad.

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 147,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back—it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Brazil is a country teeming with youth and vivacity. IGS has placed students in Rio de Janeiro and San Paulo. Our favorite internship was for a sports marketing student passionate about working with a professional soccer club. It took a lot of contacts, but we successfully placed him with Santos Football Club–the famed organization where Pele grew into a star. In Rio, we placed a graduate student with a leading women’s advocacy group. Located on the edge of a favela, the organization helped at-risk girls avoid falling into prostitution rings. Brazil is likewise an excellent location for conservation biology students looking to make a difference. With the most diverse habitats in the world, interns have a chance to make a measurable difference. Excursions to the Mato Grosso and Manaus provide an excellent glimpse into the world’s greatest rainforest.

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

In three of the world's most beautiful countries—Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru—Maximo Nivel offers its unique Native Spanish Program. Join our "Country Jumper" program and begin your GAP Year in one of our countries and then jump to another and another. Experience different aspects of each country's culture and Spanish dialect. Your program and curriculum follow you as you study across 2, 3 or all 4 of our institutes. EXAMPLE ITINERARY: Start your studies at our institute in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica (on the beach!), then travel to our institute in the beautiful pueblo of Antigua, Guatemala, and then move your program to our institute in historic Cusco, Peru. From Peru, join us again in Costa Rica at our institute in the capital city of San Jose. Study, trek, tour, and eat your way through Latin America—it's a great experience! We recommend at least 3 weeks for a Country Jumper program.

The Mente Argentina Ultra Intensive Spanish Program is designed for participants to learn Spanish quickly while experiencing the enigmatic city of Buenos Aires. Spanish classes are taught in an innovative and creative way by integrating class coursework with cultural activities and excursions. Any level of Spanish speaker, beginner, intermediate, or advanced, is welcome to participate in this amazing program. Over 500 million people in the world speak Spanish as their native language or second language. Now is the time to become a Spanish speaker, too! It is helpful in many fields and shines on a resume. Looking for a more specific intensive Spanish course in Buenos Aires? Mente Argentina offers the following courses: - Legal Language and Terminology - Medical Language and Terminology - Spanish Literature - Advanced Conversation - Advanced Composition - Latin American History

Gain practical experience in holistic health while exploring the Peruvian Andes. The Nutrition & Natural Medicine program in the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas, Peru, is a unique opportunity. You will learn about Peruvian superfoods, food as medicine, healthy cooking, natural Andean medicine, nutrition, cleansing practices, herbal and plant-based medicine, aromatherapy, organic farming, and more. You will gain an entirely new perspective on health and natural medicine by participating in this life-changing experience. If you want to stay longer in Peru, you may extend your stay by adding an internship, volunteering placement, or taking Spanish classes before or after the program.

Greenheart Travel's high school abroad program in Argentina offers you a great opportunity to spend your summer, trimester, semester, or academic year as an exchange student while living with a local Argentinian host family. It promises full cultural immersion, allowing you to practice your Spanish fluency, learn about a new culture, and gain valuable skills to help meet your personal and academic goals. Program at a glance: - Host family accommodation provides full language and cultural immersion - 2 years of Spanish experience required - Choose a trimester, semester, or academic year program - Start dates are available in the fall or come for 2 months during the U.S. summer (Argentina's winter is North America's summer!) - Online application process

Discover Peru: Make an Impact in the Sacred Valley Immerse yourself in life in Urubamba, Peru, and make a real difference through a meaningful community-based internship. Working alongside the FutureSense Foundation, you’ll support local education initiatives and contribute to long-term, sustainable development in the heart of the Sacred Valley. Choose your Impact Area and deliver engaging activities that inspire and empower young learners. Throughout your journey, you’ll gain valuable experience, build leadership and cross-cultural skills, and grow in confidence, with full support from our in-country team. This is more than just travel - it’s a chance to live, learn, and give back. You’ll also earn an International Impact Diploma, helping your CV and university application stand out as you take your first steps toward becoming a global changemaker. Join us in Peru and turn your gap year into an experience that truly matters.

Join this hands-on internship and help low-income Indigenous communities revive ancestral building techniques to create sustainable housing for all. THE CHALLENGE Before construction industrialization, Andean communities built with rich clay soils. Globalization shifted practices to single-skin concrete buildings—faster and “modern,” but colder, costlier, less ecological, and more earthquake-prone. Hundreds of adobe homes now lie in ruin, and as these traditional methods vanish, so does their cultural and architectural heritage. THE SOLUTION We’re helping restore these buildings to preserve heritage and provide future benefits, from dignified homes to income through tourism. With support from our experienced team, join a design or build project to learn how adobe houses are made in the Andes and help restore those that might otherwise collapse. OUR METHODOLOGY Our internships use Design Thinking to co-create solutions with local partners. You’ll learn to observe, ideate, and prototype in real contexts, building skills while driving sustainable change. On weekends—or before and after your stay—you can explore Ecuador, from the Amazon to the Galápagos.

Inspire, Educate & Empower Communities Across the World Are you passionate about education and cross-cultural exchange? Do you dream of making a positive impact while traveling the world? With Volunteering Journeys’ English Teaching Programs Abroad, you can inspire young minds, build confidence, and open opportunities for children and adults across Peru, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Maldives. Whether you’re a student on a gap year, a certified teacher, or simply a fluent English speaker looking to make a difference, teaching abroad is one of the most rewarding ways to contribute to global education while immersing yourself in fascinating cultures. In many developing regions, English proficiency opens the door to education, employment, and better economic opportunities. However, limited resources and teacher shortages often leave students without access to quality English education. By joining Volunteering Journeys’ teaching programs, you’ll help bridge this gap. You’ll work in local schools, community centers, or after-school programs — improving English literacy, conversational confidence, and cultural awareness.

Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and is located on the shore of the Río de la Plata. It is one of Latin America's most important ports and populous cities. This grand city with wide avenues and a vibrant cosmopolitan flair is seen as more European than Latin American. Its energy and bustle are most evident in the city's center, an epicenter of entertainment, shopping, and café culture. It is built on the original colonial foundations of the Spanish people. This center serves as the location for many and most financial institutions and corporate headquarters. New for Spring 2024: Come study in Argentina's vibrant and exciting capital city, Buenos Aires! Students will enroll in coursework at Universidad de Belgrano, with a concentration on Spanish language and Latin American studies. This program is especially good for Spanish minors and majors, as most courses offered are the building blocks of those degrees. Enjoy excursions to Tigre, La Plata, and Estancia!

Stand in the shadows of the majestic Andes mountains, connect with warm-hearted indigenous peoples and their culture, and take a selfie with a llama! Peru offers the opportunity to trek majestic trails, explore ancient ruins, visit rural villages, and engage in meaningful community service and genuine connection with the locals. Sacred Valley Service – Step into the past and marvel at the breathtaking landscapes and architectural wonders of Machu Picchu. Plus, engage in service projects that contribute to the well-being of local communities in the Sacred Valley. The Andes to Amazon – From Machu Picchu to the Amazon Rainforest, discover ancient civilizations, connect with the locals in small mountain communities, and give a helping hand to service projects that will benefit rural areas long-term. Andes to Amazon College Program – This is the college version of Andes to Amazon, open to students ages 88-22.

Spend eight weeks in South America protecting wildlife and improving your Spanish. This Gap Project offers a unique opportunity to explore Peru and Ecuador while contributing to conservation efforts and cultural exchange. In Peru, you'll spend two weeks conserving the Amazon Rainforest before visiting the iconic Machu Picchu. Then, you'll engage in community outreach work around Cusco and the Sacred Valley. In Ecuador, you'll spend two weeks conserving giant tortoises and sea lions on the Galapagos Islands, followed by a weekend trip to Santa Cruz. Finally, you'll spend two weeks teaching and working with communities. While most projects focus on volunteering, we can facilitate internships if you need to fulfill university requirements. Whether you're interested in protecting coastal habitats, touring Machu Picchu, living in the Amazon Rainforest, teaching children, playing games with communities, or rehabilitating animals, this Gap Project offers diverse experiences.

Whether you want to support vulnerable communities in developing countries, help conserve the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, or protect animals in the Amazon, Love Volunteers has a program for you. With over 200 projects in 40 countries there's something for everyone! For over 7 years Love Volunteers has provided safe, affordable and ethical volunteering and gap year projects. Join a program today for a life-changing experience.

Study abroad in the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, known as the Paris of South America. Explore numerous historic neighborhoods and learn about the world-famous tango while taking classes with one of our renowned academic partners. Argentina is a country of vast landscapes and a friendly culture. Buenos Aires is highly influenced architecturally and culturally by the waves of immigration it has experienced since the late 19th century. After the US, Argentina is the second largest immigrant country in the world. In addition to Spanish classes for all levels, this program offers a large variety of classes in English and Spanish along with specialized programs for healthcare, bilingual education, and community service. The Arcos Learning Abroad program provides an all-inclusive study abroad experience with cultural activities on the weekdays, excursions on the weekends, onsite directors, carefully vetted homestays, tuition, and much more. Arcos invites you to step through the arch and into a life-changing experience abroad. Argentina awaits!

Discover the soul of South America on a 10-week journey through Peru and Ecuador that blends adventure, purpose, and connection. Hike through the Andes, explore the Amazon, and immerse yourself in rich Indigenous cultures and living traditions. This program goes beyond travel; you’ll engage in hands-on sustainability and community projects led by local partners, learning through experience, not from a classroom. Designed for gap year students, alternative study abroad seekers, and values-driven travelers, this journey offers leadership development, guided reflection, and deep cultural exchange. You'll build confidence, develop real-world skills, and gain clarity for your next steps all in a supportive, close-knit group of like-minded peers. Whether you're looking to grow personally, earn credit, build your resume, or simply see the world through a more intentional lens, this is more than a semester off—it’s a transformative step forward. Travel with purpose. Return inspired. Reach Out to Learn More!

Immerse yourself in a new language, intern abroad, or explore a different part of the world. CET’s gap programs offer the opportunity to join college-level courses overseas or online. Whether you're mastering Chinese in Beijing, volunteering while living with a host family in Siena, or creating art in a studio in Osaka, CET blends academics with real-world experience. Designed around experiential learning, deep cultural engagement, and academic rigor, CET programs turn education into something more than just earning college credit.

Explore. Learn. Lead. Join Avalon Farm’s Young Leaders in Pursuit of Happiness (YLPH), a gap year program based in the picturesque Mantiqueira Mountain Ridge in Carmo de Minas—a municipality in the state of Minas Gerais. Step into a transformative experience that blends cultural immersion, leadership development, and hands-on training in sustainable living on our completely organic farm. The YLPH Program offers a unique opportunity to explore Brazil while gaining real-world skills in beekeeping, fish farming, agroforestry, holistic wellness, sustainable construction, and other related fields. This program is designed for young adults between 19 and 25 years old—whether a gap year student, an undergraduate, or a recent graduate looking for a meaningful break before that next “big step.” Stay for at least three months and engage in a Youth-Adult partnership model, where fresh perspectives meet seasoned expertise, fostering innovation and community impact. Develop independence, global awareness, and practical skills that prepare you for the future—all while building lifelong friendships and discovering new aspects of yourself.

Official Language School of the Americas (OLSA) Certified Spanish University Program is an accelerated course that holds certification from the Secretary of Education of Medellin, Colombia and is eligible for a Colombian student visa. It stands as an excellent choice for individuals seeking rapid Spanish proficiency in a fully immersive setting, including gap-year participants, university students, and professionals. At OLSA, we go exceed the minimum required 10 weekly hours of instruction. Our Certified Spanish courses include 12 hours of instruction delivered through two classes - one grammar and one conversational. Our primary focus lies in cultivating conversational Spanish skills, not just Spanish theory. Through our optional daily language exchanges, social gatherings, excursions, and diverse activities, students not only learn the language but also immerse themselves in Spanish and Latin culture.