Language Immersion Gap Year Programs in Western Europe

In Paris, find the perfect balance of structure and independence, giving you the freedom to explore France and yourself before heading off to college. Perfect your French in a city that has inspired countless masterpieces and world-changing ideas. From the soaring spires of Notre Dame to the cozy glow of sidewalk cafés, Paris offers the perfect backdrop for a transformative gap year filled with language, art, and self-discovery. During the week, take 15–20 hours of immersive French classes with native instructors and classmates eager to hone their fluency. Afternoons and weekends are for immersing yourself in Paris’s rich culture and village-like neighborhoods. Explore the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, marveling at masterpieces by Monet and Da Vinci. Stroll through the Latin Quarter, retracing the steps of literary icons like Hemingway and Sartre. Savor buttery pastries, artisanal cheeses, and gourmet French cuisine that transforms every meal into an exquisite experience. Living with a welcoming host family, you’ll practice French, share meals, and embrace the rhythms of daily Parisian life.

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.

Explore the dream destinations of South Africa, France, and Thailand on a comprehensive 6-month journey. Experience an exceptional blend of cultural immersion, wildlife conservation, and community involvement. You'll start your journey by contributing to wildlife conservation in South Africa amidst the Big 5 conservation area. Next, you'll hop on to France where you will immerse yourself in French culture and language during an unforgettable summer in Loire Valley, studying at one of the country's oldest universities. Finally, venture to your third country - Thailand - where you will volunteer as an English teacher in the scenic Hua Hin island. The entire experience offers invaluable cultural insights, skill development, and lifelong memories; igniting passions for social and environmental causes as you embark on a journey toward becoming a dedicated global citizen effecting positive change.

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.

Spend 12 incredible weeks exploring Tamarindo, Rome, and Tokyo, three unforgettable destinations that showcase the world’s diversity. This immersive semester blends cultural discovery, new adventures, and light language learning with a supportive travel community. In Tamarindo, Costa Rica (Weeks 1–4), surf warm Pacific waves, join a sea turtle conservation project, hike rainforest trails to Rio Celeste, and explore the Arenal volcano region. In Rome, Italy (Weeks 5–8), step into history at the Colosseum and Vatican, roll pasta and make gelato with local chefs, and take a day trip to Pompeii. In Tokyo, Japan (Weeks 9–12), experience the city’s neon energy, stroll through serene shrines and gardens, try karaoke with friends, and ride the bullet train to Kyoto to explore temples and traditional tea houses. Throughout your journey, you’ll live in EF student residences, travel with your cohort, and join weekly cultural activities plus weekend or overnight excursions. With flights, housing, EF’s global support, and optional U.S. college credit all included, The Globetrotter is more than study abroad; it’s your chance to grow, connect, and experience the world like never before.

Join Carpe Diem for an unforgettable gap semester, exploring rich history and modern cultural identity in Italy & 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.

Do you want to gain internationally recognized qualifications and spend a winter gap year in one of the world's top ski destinations? EA Ski and Snowboard Training has limited places left on our instructor internship program in Switzerland. The internship course is a program designed to set you up as a fully qualified ski instructor within one winter season. You don't need to be an instructor to join. EA's world-class trainers hone your skills at the start of the season and prepare you for the ski instructor exam. We guarantee a job offer once you qualify as an instructor. Courses are open to intermediate to advance skiers. Apply today to see if you qualify for this amazing winter gap year program! Choose from 3 world-class ski resorts across Switzerland to train and work at this winter. You'll train with the best, gain internationally recognized instructor qualifications, and get the best work experience for your CV.

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.

Take a life-changing gap year abroad with Linguistic Horizons! We offer internships in various fields, volunteer, study abroad programs, foreign language immersion, nutrition, and alternative medicine programs. Our program destinations include South America, Europe, and Oceania. Choose from Spain, the UK, Peru, or New Zealand! You may also combine destinations or add side trips to other countries. Our programs range in length from 2 weeks to 1 year. Choose the duration that works best for you!

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!

Experience the French savoir-faire and the traditions of its makers with APA Paris: Gap Year. This 13-week program combines French language immersion, academics, and firsthand encounters to understand the cultural intricacies of French society. To set the linguistic foundation, students begin the term with a three-week intensive French language course with weekly 90-minute individual support sessions continuing thereafter. Once the group portion of the language class concludes, participants take three courses, each taught in French: - Business French: An Economy of Creation: Discovering the French Savoir-Faire - Art History: Painting, Sculpture in France in the 19th Century - Political Science: France Today Each course includes field trips and site visits such as hands-on workshops for artisan crafts (pastry chef, perfume, fashion), art history outing to Monet's gardens at Giverny, and lessons at Paris' many renowned museums. At the end of the program, students receive a transcript so that they may transfer credits towards an undergraduate degree. Cultural events and excursions and housing accommodations are included.

Learn Spanish most authentically by studying Spanish in Valencia. Valencia is the perfect spot for your immersive Spanish experience. It is a buzzing city with a blend of classic Spanish architecture and incredibly innovative buildings. Packed with art, bars, and restaurants, the center of Valencia is a great place to be and just a minute's walk from Plaza de Ayuntamiento. Immersing yourself in the culture of Spain and interacting with the welcoming locals will help improve your language skills. Once the course is over, you are in the perfect spot to continue your adventures. You may travel onwards, down the Costa del Sol to Andalucia and the melting pot of Seville, or up to majestic Barcelona and the Costa Brava. Armed with your newfound language skills, you will be equipped to mingle with the locals. This trip is perfect for those who don’t just want to visit the country and learn the language. They want to become part of it! Choose your preferred intensity. Learn Spanish in a structured but relaxed environment for the standard 10 hours per week, or take it up a notch with the intensive 20-hour-a-week course (for a small additional charge).

Please only submit an inquiry if you are eligible to obtain a Working Holiday Visa. It is available to citizens of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Uruguay, who are between 18 and 30 years old! Canadians can also participate through a Youth Mobility Visa, obtainable for those aged 18 to 35. Berlin is a bustling metropolis, a hotspot for artists, and a magnet for people from all over the world. Our Working Holiday program is designed to help you gain a foothold in this exciting city, navigate the often-complex bureaucratic system, and even land a job. Maximize your year-long working holiday with our complete support package, which includes: * 30 nights in a high-standard studio apartment * Assistance with your residence registration * English and German-speaking online support team * Farm Stay at no extra cost, including free accommodation and meals * Access to online resources with all the information you need to organize your stay, such as choosing insurance, applying for a visa, packing list, job hunting, preparing your German CV, tips for successful job interviews, booking a German language course, and more!

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!

Experience the westernmost outpost of the Arab world. Travel from forested mountains to the Sahara Desert while studying different languages, faiths, and cultures across the Straits of Gibraltar. From the rise and fall of empires to the cross-cultural exchanges that have left an indelible mark on both nations, this program emphasizes migration patterns, international relations, and religious influence across continents. By following the path of conquests, intellectual growth, and artistic achievements, we will gain a profound understanding of how history has shaped the present-day connections between Morocco and Spain.

Beautiful Granada is the capital city in the province of Granada. Seated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and having four rivers running through the city, it remains only an hour from the Mediterranean Sea. It has even hosted the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships back in 1996. In Granada, you can experience local highlights like: - Festivals: International Music and Dance Festival, International Jazz Festival, Granada Festival South Cinemas, the International Tango Festival, and many others! - Concerts: There are lots of concerts throughout the year in the Manuel de Falla Auditorium and theater on top of opera performances in the Congress Palace - Parties: Throughout the year, several parties are held on significant dates for religious, civil, or cultural reasons. Granada has something for everyone. With API, you, too, can take a part of Spain as your own!

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

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

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

The England Soccer Schools are world-renowned. These include Summer Soccer Schools such as the Liverpool FC Football Camps UK, the Manchester City Soccer Camps in Manchester, the Arsenal Summer Soccer Camps UK near London, the Chelsea FC Soccer Camps near London, and the West Ham United Foundation International Academy in London. Residential Camps, Day Camps, Girls' Sessions Only, and Goalkeeper Session Only are offered depending on your camp selection. Soccer Camps in England also offer optional language programs. Soccer Camps International specializes in the best and most famous European Clubs Youth Soccer Camps (Football Camps) and Soccer Schools (Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Barcelona, Milan, Juventus, Inter, Paris Saint Germain, and Benfica). We offer you the opportunity to discover new ways of learning and developing soccer skills with players from all over the world in some of the world's best soccer countries: England, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France.