Spanish Gap Year Programs

Immerse yourself in the Spanish language and Mediterranean lifestyle in Málaga with EF Language Year Abroad. Perfect your language skills and study academic subjects in your areas of interest, returning home with language credentials, friends from around the world and memories to last a lifetime. True fluency through immersion - Spend 2, 3, or 4 academic terms (6–11 months), gaining language and cultural fluency, learning from local experiences, and peers from over 100 nations. Located on Spain’s sunny southern coast, Málaga is the perfect place to master Spanish while soaking up beachside beauty, culture, and history. EF’s campus nestled in the local community is just steps from the sea and buzzing city life—perfect for practicing Spanish in real-world settings. Customize your journey with SPIN classes focused on Spanish culture, art, or business. Enjoy weekend excursions to places like Granada, Seville, or Morocco, and dive deeper with project-based learning and internship opportunities. Earn college credit, gain fluency certification, and complete a capstone project. Earn transferable college credit through our partner in education, The University of Montana.

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 155,000 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.

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.

Venture through Guatemala and Costa Rica, exploring lush tropical rainforests, towering volcanoes, steep-sided mountains, and extended coastlines. Embrace the spirit of "pura vida" and learn from the unique crossover of individuals who call these nations home. Living alongside Indigenous communities and their contemporaries, explore opportunities to delve into social justice, sustainability, and the influence of colonization. From the Sierra Madre mountains of interior Guatemala to the sea turtle havens on the coast, from the tranquility and splendor of Lago Atitlán and its surrounding volcanoes to the breathtaking coral reefs offshore, Carpe Diem Education explores the merging complexities of socio-political realities with the hope of a more sustainable future. Cap your new knowledge with improved Spanish, honed during your homestay experience, and outdoor skills learned from the many treks, hikes, and adventure activities available in the region.

Uncover the spirit of Central America on a 10-week journey through Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. Trek lush rainforests, hike volcanoes, raft wild rivers, and explore ancient Mayan ruins. More than just adventure, this program invites you to live alongside local communities, learn Spanish through immersion, and engage in meaningful sustainability projects that leave a lasting impact. Designed for students and young adults seeking growth, clarity, and purpose, Pacific Discovery blends challenge with support. You’ll gain confidence traveling with a small group and experienced instructors who mentor you through guided reflection and leadership activities. Days balance cultural exchange, service, and personal exploration—so you’re not just passing through, but truly connecting. Whether you’re taking a gap year, looking for an alternative to study abroad, or craving a deeper cultural experience, this program helps you grow, give back, and discover your place in the world.

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.

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

Volunteer at the Galápagos National Park and get the chance to assist at the tortoise breeding center. You will be a member of the research and zookeeping staff. Take responsibility for taking care of and measuring the shells of tortoises for their growth charts, as well as informing tourists of rules and regulations, and other necessary tasks at the center, depending on individual skillset. Requirements for this program are: - Basic to intermediate level of Spanish - A genuine passion for animal conservation - An ability to openly communicate rules and regulations to tourists and follow instructions - Ability to work independently as well as in a team - Physical ability to work outdoors with potentially high allergens, sun, and temperature exposure IOI encourages all volunteers to stay as long as possible to maximize local and personal benefits. We encourage longer commitments by heavily discounting each additional week. The minimum stay is two weeks, with a maximum stay of three months. All volunteers must arrive in Isabela on Mondays.

The Central Andes is a region full of superlatives, existing at extremes. From sparkling glaciers to lush tropical forests, this Gap Year program takes you through a dizzying tapestry of landscapes and cultures, exploring the links between land and people, past and present. The ancient Land of the Incas encompasses a fascinating blend of history and vibrant cultures, placed in a modern context of political change and social transformation. Through intensive Spanish language courses, trekking through a wide range of ecological backdrops, exposure to remote indigenous communities, and an extended home-stay, Andes & Amazon students connect deeply with the local culture while exploring a rich panorama of Andean and Amazonian realities. Dragons students will also examine current political trends, social movements, and environmental conservation efforts in the mountains and jungles of Bolivia and Peru. College Credit is optional for an additional fee.

Are you interested in learning Spanish? Study at our school/hostel in the heart of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and take morning language lessons from Monday to Friday. In the afternoons, enjoy dance classes and cultural excursions. We also have weekend trips to the beach and a two-night/three-day road trip to Viñales. This is a busy program and offers the possibility of immersion into Cuban life—past and present—and the opportunity to understand what makes this amazing country so special. Our programs are for participants 18+, but we also welcome minors accompanied by an adult. Accommodation is in our licensed Casa Particulare, where you’ll share a dorm room with other students. You could also stay in a private room with an en suite bathroom for an extra fee. Couples, friends, and family who book a program together are automatically upgraded to a private room. Breakfast and lunch are included, as well as activities such as group discussion/planning meetings and impromptu social gatherings. Airport transfers can be arranged on request. Our programs comply with travel restrictions for US citizens. Feel free to contact us for more information!

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.

Costa Rica is a personal favorite of IGS staff members and a location we are all too happy to nudge students looking to practice their Spanish. In the capital city of San Jose, previous participants have worked at a language school where they assisted in the classroom and tutored children. One of our law students requested work in a bilingual law office in the downtown area and we secured a terrific litigation attorney for her. In the highlands of Monteverde, past interns have assisted a rainforest education institute that serves visiting school groups. They helped the local staff educate visitors on the dynamics of what makes a cloud forest unique. Our internship program includes a range of activities such as guided night excursions in search of tree-dwelling ocelots (wild cats) and monstrous tarantulas. Some participants enjoyed rafting through the Pacuare River, a well-reviewed travel spot. One student called it the journey of a lifetime. A side trip to La Fortuna Volcano is sure to produce some excitement while witnessing New World monkeys and some of the world’s most poisonous snakes.

Would you like to embark on a life-changing university experience abroad? The Spanish Institute offers international students the opportunity to study for a semester or full academic year in Seville, one of Spain’s most vibrant and culturally rich cities. Our Study Abroad Program combines high-quality Spanish language and area-studies courses at the Spanish Institute with the chance to enroll in classes at one of three prestigious local universities: the University of Seville, Pablo de Olavide University, or EUSA University Center. These options allow students to personalize their academic experience while gaining deep insight into Spanish life and culture. Students benefit from intensive language courses, internships, and service-learning opportunities, all while living with Spanish host families, exploring Seville and the Andalusian region, and refining their Spanish skills both in and out of the classroom. This immersive experience is ideal for adventurous, motivated, and responsible students seeking a new perspective, global connections, and a transformative educational journey that will have a profound and lasting impact on their lives. Live the Spanish dream!

Discover Panama: Make an Impact in El Valle de Antón Experience Panama, a land of vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and extraordinary ecological diversity. From the iconic Panama Canal to lush rainforests and pristine beaches, this is the perfect destination for an adventurous, meaningful gap year. In El Valle de Antón, you’ll support our charity, FutureSense Foundation's, long-term development projects, helping communities adapt to challenges like climate change. Whether you’re running educational activities, supporting local sustainability initiatives, or assisting at the community recycling center, your contribution will create lasting, positive change. Along the way, you’ll gain practical skills, cultural insight, and personal growth, all while immersing yourself in Panamanian life. Take the first step toward a gap year that truly matters — make an impact, explore, and grow in one unforgettable experience.

Enrich your time between high school and college with a gap program, differentiate your résumé with an internship, or get class credit while you study abroad. Along the way, you’ll attend a prestigious university, enjoy career-accelerating experiences, and immerse yourself in Spain’s language, lifestyle, and culture. API offers a variety of programs in six different locations, spanning the country regionally, culturally, and linguistically. If you are coming to Spain for the first time, be warned: this is a country that fast becomes an addiction. You might not have enough of the celebration of some local fiesta or the vibrant nightlife.

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 opportunities, this program offers you some valuable experience at university lectures with students from around the globe. Learn the Spanish language and choose electives that allow you to undergo a lifetime adventure. Upon successful completion, you can earn a UAB certificate that can be validated for credits in the future. This program includes • 4 elective subjects and 1 language course on Campus UAB Barcelona • UAB certificate

Sign up for one of our Rustic Pathways Gap programs, which run for a semester. No matter what you join, we guarantee incredible opportunities for travel, service, non-cognitive skills development, and cultural immersion. Our gap programs integrate several options and activities. You can immerse yourself in Latin American culture, intern and gain practical experience with a partner organization, or become involved with marine conservation in the South Pacific. It all depends on what you wish to experience. Participate in our Service and Exploration, our most popular and longest-­running programs. Get the chance to travel to multiple countries in one semester and contribute to meaningful service projects along the way! Choose Spanish Language Immersion, wherein you learn Spanish through structured classroom time and practice with locals through community interaction and homestay. You will travel to Costa Rica, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. Enjoy the flexibility to design the perfect program as well! Join several other Rustic Pathways students who choose this exciting option to combine programs.

Venture to some of the world’s most exotic and intriguing regions, ranging from the turquoise waters of Panama, the lush jungles of Costa Rica, and the white-sand beaches of Belize. Shadowing doctors in the Bocas del Toro islands off the coast of Panama, we understand the barriers to medical access for remote indigenous communities. Engaging with a local organization, we participate in an exchange program, learning more about the lives of local Panamanians and sharing our own culture. Visiting a locally run coffee farm in the Costa Rican highlands, we learn the process behind the production of coffee. Rafting on Costa Rica’s exhilarating Pacuare River, the vibrancy of life in the jungle beckons us in the calls of toucans and howler monkeys. Partnering with local biologists on the Pacific Coast, we learn about the current issues facing conservation efforts Basking in the crystal clear waters of improbably white sand beaches, we take in the beauty of the Caribbean. Exploring the underwater life of the reefs of Belize, we gain insights into a world rarely witnessed earning our SCUBA certification and participating in a lionfish eradication project.

What makes a great gap year in Spain? Adventure, new culture, exploring new places, making amazing friends, and knowing you're in a safe environment. If you want to boost your Spanish and improve your academic standing before university, our gap year program in Sevilla is perfect for you! Spain has everything for the ideal gap year, with Centro MundoLengua’s program and our partner EUSA (associated with the University of Seville). Our gap year in Spain immerses you in Spanish life with cultural activities, semester seminars (up to 5), language classes (4h/week), community work, and the chance to live authentically in one of Europe’s most magical cities. In Sevilla, you'll be surrounded by beauty, culture, and history. Our activity program includes trips to other cities in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. There’s never been a better time for a gap year in Spain, and with Centro MundoLengua, it’s never been easier. You'll also develop new life skills and give your college application a boost with international experience, including language study, educational travel, volunteer service, and full cultural immersion! Program dates | January 21st - May 16th, 2026 Price | $12,100