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Gap Year Programs in Western Europe

A gap year in Europe is full of endless opportunities. Have you ever wanted to have a picnic on a sunny Saturday afternoon while gazing at the Eiffel tower? Or wander in the flower gardens full of tulips in the Keukenhof of Holland? Or dance the night away under the Spanish stars to flamenco music? Gap year programs in Europe aren’t all about obsessing and stressing over your next professional move, but a time to step back and experience life. Maybe Europe gap years will give you the answers you never knew you were searching for!

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202 Gap Year Programs in Western Europe

CIEE High School Grads Abroad
102 reviews

CIEE High School Grads Abroad

CIEE Gap Year: French Language & Culture in Paris, France

Everyone dreams of a trip to Paris, but how many get to actually ...

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The Intern Group
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The Intern Group

International Internships in Madrid

We provide first-class international internships in Madrid! We ha...

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International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
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International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

World’s #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) brings people together from all...

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Impact Gap Year
93 reviews

Impact Gap Year

South Africa, France and Thailand Gap Year Exploration

Explore the dream destinations of South Africa, France, and Thail...

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Institute for Global Studies
9.437 reviews

Institute for Global Studies

IGS Wildlife Rehabilitation Internships

Get the chance to work with injured animals from the Amazon rainf...

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GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
9.6837 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...

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Pacific Discovery
00 reviews

Pacific Discovery

Greece & Croatia Mini Semester | Pacific Discovery

Embark on a captivating six-week adventure exploring Greece and C...

Seamester Study Abroad at Sea
9.7651 reviews

Seamester Study Abroad at Sea

Seamester Study Abroad and Gap Year Voyages

Seamester is the educational adventure of a lifetime! For more th...

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Semester at Sea
9.5334 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...

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Raleigh International
00 reviews

Raleigh International

Raleigh Expedition for Schools: Service Learning & Adventure

A Raleigh School Expedition is a lifetime opportunity for student...

Carpe Diem Education
95 reviews

Carpe Diem Education

Italy & Greece Semester | Carpe Diem Education Gap Year

Spend a gap semester exploring rich traditions and modern cultura...

Campus Oxford
93 reviews

Campus Oxford

The Oxford Gap Year Program

The Oxford Gap Year is the perfect way to prepare for the indepen...

EA Ski and Snowboard Training
8.673 reviews

EA Ski and Snowboard Training

Winter Gap Year - Become a Ski or Snowboard Instructor!

Love travel and adventure? This is your game-changer. Embark on...

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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...

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Latest Program Reviews

The Key to a New Beginning

December 28, 2024by: 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 Western Europe

Best Countries

Interested in doing a gap year in Europe and trying to decide which are the best countries to do so?

France. Cozy towns with winding little streets, the smell of cheeses in the air, and the clinking of wine glasses in the evening are loved by locals and visitors here. Let gap year programs in Europe take you to France, a great destination to practice language skills; the French are quite proud of their native tongue!

The Netherlands. Interacting with locals who are open and direct with no-nonsense attitudes will help you connect to the culture faster when you visit the Netherlands during a gap year in Europe. You’ll be able to experience the Dutch honesty and explore recommended cuisine, such as cheeses and sweets. 

Spain. During Europe gap years, you’ll find the streets are alive with busy workers during the day and music and laughter at night in Spain. Spain has 47 world heritage sites, which allows for the history lovers to get lost in multiple regions of Spain. After exploring Spainish history by the region, you can explore cuisine by region as well! Coastal Spain offers seafood and rice-based dishes and inner Spain has stews with rich meat and cheeses.

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