Spread your wings on a Gap Year Abroad program with CIEE! Build your perfect pre-college experience while focusing on language learning or writing your way through Europe.
BUILD SKILLS FOR LIFE & GO FARTHER WITH CIEE
Master a language. Take a writers' workshop. Decide on the next steps in your academic journey. Gain confidence, global competence, and lifelong skills. Get solid footing and an undeniable edge before diving head-first into college. Once you get on campus, you’ll be more grounded, mature and better prepared for academic success.
CIEE's Gap Year Abroad programs are flexible and affordable to give you the freedom you need to explore the world and your own interests before you begin college life.
All of CIEE's programs combine hands-on learning with fun cultural activities and excursions, group workshops and self-reflection, to help you develop a new set of skills and give you the mindset and perspective you need to make the most of your college experience.
Blaze your own trail on a Gap experience that fits your goals and interests. Take off for as little as a semester to a whole academic year. Return home with lifelong memories and friends, practical experience, focus, and motivation.
Interested in starting college abroad with a CIEE First Year Abroad program instead? Learn more here! Or check out our summer, trimester, semester, or academic year programs for high schoolers.
Cost and Session Information
Get started today with an exclusive $200 TeenLife discount! Simply click on "Apply" to open your CIEE account through us and enjoy this discount on any CIEE high school program.
Introducing CIEE First Year Abroad (FYA), a program where you complete your first year or semester of college in 1 of 7 incredible global locations. ..(more)
Up for an adventure like no other? Our Global Navigator summer abroad programs take you way outside your comfort zone, far away from home. Explore a different culture in more than 35 amazing destinations across the world. Come home with new skills, newfound passion, a broader perspective – and maybe even college credits! Find out more! ..(more)
Teeming with biodiversity, the Mediterranean Sea supports more than 17,000 different species, making magnificent Mallorca in the western Mediterranean a special place to focus on sustainability. Here, where Marine Protected Areas abound, you will learn firsthand about marine organisms and their interactions with coastal and marine ecosystems...(more)
Explore air and space engineering in the vibrant cradle of future technologies, Toulouse. Feast your earthbound eyes on supersonic airliners, rockets, and space stations. Get insights from engineers on how to address global challenges through engineering, like sustainable transportation or the energy crisis. Work with other Global Navigators to define a real-world problem and design a solution. Then, put your solutions to the test modeling them in computer simulations!..(more)
Delve into the science of climate change surrounded by Costa Rica’s lush rainforest. Discover its impact on tropical ecosystems as you explore the world-famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and meet with local farmers, scientists, and activists. Quantify tropical tree growth, estimate carbon stocks, and measure environmental effects of greenhouse gases in the living laboratory that is the CIEE Monteverde eco-campus...(more)
Put your global education first! See Sydneyand start college at the same time on CIEE’s First Year Abroad program. Earn college credit during a 12-week semester, taking classes from a wide range of subject areas. Immerse yourself in the local Australian culture by engaging in activities and excursions with first-year peers and other CIEE study abroad students...(more)
Put your global education first! See London and start college at the same time on CIEE’s First Year Abroad program. Earn college credit during a 12-week semester, taking classes from a wide range of subject areas. Immerse yourself in the local English culture by engaging in activities and excursions with first-year peers and other CIEE study abroad students...(more)
Dive into Japanese language and pop culture. Fascinated with anime and manga? Looking to learn the Japanese language or improve your proficiency? In this highly immersive program, you will spend time each day after your language classes interacting with members of the community...(more)
Put your global education first! See Monteverde and start college at the same time on CIEE’s First Year Abroad program. Earn college credit during a 12-week semester, taking classes from a wide range of subject areas. Immerse yourself in the local Costa Rican culture by engaging in activities and excursions with first-year peers and other CIEE study abroad students...(more)
Put your global education first! See Berlin and start college at the same time on CIEE’s First Year Abroad program. Earn college credit during a 12-week semester, taking classes from a wide range of subject areas. Immerse yourself in the local German culture by engaging in activities and excursions with first-year peers and other CIEE study abroad students...(more)
Live, learn and explore in one of the safest and most beautiful cities in Mexico. People come here to visit ancient Mayan ruins and amazing geological formations, yet still discover so much more. Mérida was ranked the second safest city in the American continent in 2020, the Best Small City by Condé Nast Traveller, acknowledged as the American Capital of Culture by Unesco, and recognized as one of the 10 Best cities to travel by Forbes and Lonely Planet?..(more)
It’s hard to think of a place more passionate about pop culture. In Tokyo you’ll find multi-story arcades, galleries, cinemas, libraries, shops, and museums dedicated to gaming and your favorite pop art forms. On this 3-week cultural immersion, you’ll follow both tracks (one after the other) to gain a broad knowledge of all three creative arts and industries...(more)
Put your global education first! See Barcelona and start college at the same time on CIEE’s First Year Abroad program. Earn college credit during a 12-week semester, taking classes from a wide range of subject areas. Immerse yourself in Spanish culture by engaging in activities and excursions with first-year peers and other CIEE study abroad students...(more)
Put your global education first! See Kyoto and start college at the same time on CIEE’s First Year Abroad program. Earn college credit during a 12-week semester, taking classes from a wide range of subject areas. Immerse yourself in the local Japanese culture by engaging in activities and excursions with first-year peers and other CIEE study abroad students...(more)
Sashay into the unique fashion classroom of Paris. Through expert-led classes, experience the design process from conception to production. Learn how designers work with patterns, sketches, prototypes, and 3D renderings and use these techniques in creating your own fashion designs...(more)
Put your global education first! See Rome and start college at the same time on CIEE’s First Year Abroad program. Earn college credit during a 12-week semester, taking classes from a wide range of subject areas. Immerse yourself in the local Roman culture by engaging in activities and excursions with first-year peers and other CIEE study abroad students...(more)
What’s it all about? K-pop (short for Korean pop music) covers a range of musical styles, from electronic and dance-pop to hip hop and R&B. The craze is characterized by cutting-edge music videos with striking audiovisual elements, trendsetting fashion, and highly skilled choreography. Creative use of art, graphics, costumes, and color make this an art form well worth studying. ..(more)
Are you up for a unique challenge in Seville? While all our Language & Culture programs offer immersion and college credits, this Honors program is for students with the drive to grow their Spanish and cross-cultural understanding to the max!..(more)
Amazing food, bustling sidewalk cafes, and seven city beaches make this artsy metropolis a magnet for international students! Students attending this 4-week CIEE Global Navigator program in Barcelona, Spain will receive 60 hours of Spanish language instruction (4 college credits) and dive into the art and food culture of this important city...(more)
Whether you dream of becoming a diplomat or are fascinated about problem-solving on a global scale, this three-week adventure will open your eyes to the inner workings of global institutions and how their decisions affect communities around the world, including yours...(more)
Home to Wimbledon and the English Premier League, there’s no better place to delve into the business side of sports than London Town. Through interactive classes, explore sponsorships, branding, fan engagement, and digital media spend. Team up with other Global Navigators to propose a marketing campaign for a fictitious local sporting event or club. Then, present it to industry professionals...(more)
Get the best of both continents in one of the world’s most beloved cities. What better place to perfect the Spanish language?
Vibrant. Creative. Intellectual. Intense. These are some of the words used to describe Buenos Aires. There’s no shortage of cultural riches to discover. Go to the theater. Dance the tango. Watch a heated football match. Feast on provoleta (fried cheese) and some of the best steak on the planet. Discover graffiti art off the beaten track...(more)
Interested in playing sports, making arts and crafts, and helping kids learn about teamwork? Join forces with a local nonprofit organization serving underprivileged children and teens in Santiago and help run a summer camp project with local teens. You’ll gain valuable leadership and coaching experience while playing a part in improving the lives of approximately 400 children and youth who might otherwise spend their days on the street...(more)
Catwalk across Europe to discover fashion marketing on the global stage!
Start behind the scenes in Paris, delving into the origins of the fashion industry. Travel to Milan for a closer look at haute couture. Then, complete your journey in Madrid, exploring fast-fashion and its impact on daily life. For your final project, develop your own marketing plan for a product or brand alongside other Global Navigators and pitch it to a panel of experts! ..(more)
Power up your imagination for video games in the ancient capital of Japan. Enter the various levels of the gaming world in Kyoto. Through hands-on classes, get an inside look at how video games are made. In just three weeks, learn the basics of storyboarding, coding, and animation. Then, create a prototype for a new video game and present it to a panel of industry experts!..(more)
Hone your French with four weeks of language immersion in Rennes, the capital of Brittany, located in northwestern France. After language classes, hit the town to test your skills and engage in lively conversations with locals. Explore the city’s colorful, historic center, with its narrow streets and majestic monuments—like the Town Hall, Opera House, and Rennes Cathedral. Surround yourself by the French and English gardens..(more)
This program is based out of the American Language Center (ALC), a non-profit with over 30 years of experience working with local NGOs on cross-cultural exchange. Through their myriad outreach programs, you will work with local youth, collaborate with Moroccan peers, and learn to look at complex issues from multiple perspectives...(more)
Advance your Mandarin in the fast-paced metropolis of Shanghai.
Take your Mandarin to new heights with four weeks of language immersion in China’s largest city, Shanghai. After language classes, hit the city’s trendy and ancient streets to practice your language skills with locals. ..(more)
Calling all Harry Potter readers, soccer fans, wannabe Beatles and cheese & crackers lovers: you can now live a full immersion in a British high school with CIEE!..(more)
With its peaceful atmosphere and friendly population, Denmark is consistently ranked as the happiest place in the world. English is spoken widely here and it is easy to meet international students as well as local peers. Youth from throughout Europe are drawn to its music scene and many festivals, featuring everything from jazz and classical to heavy metal and electronica...(more)
Dive into the Performance Arts in London’s vibrant theatre scene, as you write and perform a collaborative mini play. Through expert-led classes, learn how to interpret texts, distinguish between theatrical styles, and take on backstage and acting roles in your culminating show. ..(more)
Are you up for a unique challenge in Madrid? While all our Language & Culture programs offer immersion and college credits, this Honors program is for students with the drive to grow their Spanish and cross-cultural understanding to the max!..(more)
Get a backstage pass into sports management in the home of FC Barcelona.
Explore the various facets of the sports industry—from club management to athlete sponsorships—in Barcelona. Through interactive classes, find out what it takes to run a sports team. Guided by experts and entrepreneurs, learn how to assess opportunities and get an insider’s look at sports law, finance, media, marketing, and more. ..(more)
Enjoy an intercultural learning experience while improving your Spanish language skills through customized and goal oriented hands-on fun activities. Throughout your stay, practice speaking Spanish in shops, markets, and cafes. You’ll also explore the city with tours led by CIEE staff and local professors. Need some extra assistance with your Spanish language skills? We’ll have local students ready to help...(more)
Despite major advances in the educational system in Ghana, inequity still exists among students, with gender, geography (rural vs. city), and income levels all determining factors. To level the playing field, global organizations and innovative NGOs are working to create better access to Ghanaian schools for all children, and a more well-rounded, child-friendly learning environment once they get there...(more)
Go where the action is. Over the last decade, Berlin has become an entrepreneurial hub with one of the fastest growing startup scenes in the world. Its economy is based on high-tech firms and the service sector, encompassing a diverse range of creative industries, research facilities, media corporations, and convention venues. ..(more)
Go behind-the-scenes to discover how companies tackle modern engineering challenges.
Gear up to explore a variety of engineering projects in and around Berlin. Through expert-led classes and hands-on workshops, learn firsthand about German technology, innovation, and production. Team up with other Global Navigators to propose a real-world solution to a contemporary engineering problem! ..(more)
Explore the bushland, grasslands and deltas in this world-renowned biodiversity hotspot alongside an expert guide and conservationist. Track giraffes, elephants, lions, rhinos, zebras, and more. Examine issues in protecting wildlife and ecosystems in Botswana while balancing human needs, conduct interviews and surveys, see conservation techniques in action as you gain first-hand experience in wildlife conservation...(more)
Experience four weeks of language immersion in one of the world’s most influential fashion capitals: Milan. After language classes, step out into the city's chic neighborhoods to converse with Milanese locals and sharpen your language skills. Stroll through enchanting vias adorned with stunning architecture. Discover the artistic haven of the Brera district, where galleries and boutiques line the cobblestone streets. ..(more)
This program offers an exciting and challenging alternative for more proficient language learners! While all our Language & Culture programs offer intensive immersion, this Advanced program is designed to group students who have intermediate to advanced fluency in French and the drive to take their language and cross-cultural understanding to the next level...(more)
If you ever dreamed of running your own business, this program is where you want to start! With an entrepreneurship education expert as your mentor and guide, join a small group of future business leaders like you on a journey across Europe’s startup hot spots...(more)
Take part in a traditional tea ceremony and Taiko drumming. Learn the art of making sushi, soba noodles or wagashi sweets. This immersive experience is all about soaking up the centuries-old Japanese customs and culture all around you. For a taste of the here-and-now, you can still find popular shopping districts, video-gaming arcades and sidewalk vending machines selling unique products (from socks to pizza slices!) to round out the experience...(more)
This program brings together students like you, who want to make a difference in their community and the world. And it all starts with self-awareness. As you explore Irish culture through the lens of intercultural studies, you'll also investigate your own cultural background and identity. What is your leadership style? What social justice issues are you passionate about? How can you make a difference in your community back home?..(more)
Experience what it takes to negotiate and maintain peaceful diplomatic relations.
Tensions in East Asia continue to make headlines. This traveling program offers you a unique chance to gain perspective on the region’s complex history and present-day challenges. Start in Taipei, engaging in debates on current issues. Then, see it all culminate in a final mock negotiation in Seoul with other Global Navigators—putting your new knowledge and debating skills to the test!..(more)
Conjure up new stories and characters inspired by the myths of Ancient Rome.
With more than 3,000 years of history, Rome is steeped in legend. Through expert-led classes, dive into the basics of storytelling amid the backdrop of Roman mythology. Analyze stories that have endured for millennia. Develop the tools and techniques to breathe life into your tales! ..(more)
Accelerate your French with four weeks of language immersion in this student-friendly city in southern France. After language classes, dive into French conversations out in community markets, cafes, funky shops, chic boutiques, and the liveliest square in town—Place du Capitole. ..(more)
Experience life as a Berliner! In the German capital you’ll expand your intercultural awareness exponentially by sharing this city with people of more than 160 ethnicities who live here. Berlin has a unique history and attracts many visitors each year curious to understand this diverse city. Much of this world-changing history only happened in recent years and is still very tangible. ..(more)
Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, is famous for his leading role in ending the cruel apartheid system of racial segregation in the ‘90s. Elected to office after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, he introduced housing, education, and economic development initiatives to improve the lives of the black population. His mission continues today through a variety of Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) initiatives—roll up your sleeves and join in! ..(more)
Picture yourself living in the heart of the city, right around the corner from the famous “wedding cake” white monument in Piazza Venezia and only 10 minutes walking distance from the Colosseum; trying your hand at a range of applied art techniques, from ancient to contemporary; taking Italian cooking lessons to prepare and enjoy scrumptious meals; or playing pick-up soccer or volleyball in your spare time. ..(more)
In the capital Palma de Mallorca, we offer our most motivated Spanish learners a challenging opportunity. Open only to students with two or more years of high school Spanish, this program requires students to speak Spanish at all times, so get ready for full immersion!..(more)
Supercharge your Spanish skills in scenic Alicante. Embark on a four-week language adventure in Alicante, in the southeastern coast of Spain. After language classes, dive into conversations with locals while exploring the stunning waterfront. Meet local teens, shop at the Mercado Central, and hang out in the city’s old quarter, Barrio Santa Cruz, with its medieval alleys, whitewashed buildings, and flower-scented streets. ..(more)
Take a spellbinding trip through literary London, home to countless authors and stories that have shaped the world. Through expert-led workshops, develop the tools and techniques needed to write in different genres and produce your own Creative Writing Portfolio. Take cues from the Harry Potter franchise and learn how novels can be re-imagined into films, plays, web-based media, and fan fiction...(more)
Make your mark in the Czech Republic, a burgeoning hub of contemporary art, design, and innovation. Against an old-world backdrop, high school students in this 3-week CIEE Global Navigator program in Prague will study both traditional and new techniques, from painting and linocut to digital production. Find out more!..(more)
Few experiences rival the opportunity to study abroad in Rome. Nowhere else can students walk among thousands of years of art, history, and exciting layers of contemporary Italian culture, while surrounded by unparalleled churches, monuments, and museums...(more)
Soak in Amsterdam’s culture, too. Start with a canal cruise and keep going on foot and bike to experience this vibrant city. Play soccer and attend an open-air concert in Vondelpark, shop at the largest flea market in Europe, and meet local teens. Visit significant sites, including the Anne Frank house and museums showcasing Amsterdam’s rich artistic heritage...(more)
Learn and perfect your French with native professors. Explore the city’s rich heritage, one neighborhood or museum at a time. Discover hidden treasures during fieldtrips throughout France. Live with a local family and get into the rhythm of everyday life, sharing authentic French meals along with stories and traditions...(more)
Explore aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity in and around Lisbon alongside biologists and sustainability researchers. Field work and fun trips take you birdwatching at a coastal lagoon, snorkeling in a marine park, kayaking in the longest river of the Iberian Peninsula, observing dolphins in the Atlantic Ocean, and intertidal monitoring at Avencas beach. These three weeks are all about water, so get ready to get wet! ..(more)
Everyone dreams of a trip to Paris, but how many get to actually live there like a local? Here is your chance to enjoy an unparalleled gap year experience in one of the most beautiful and culturally important cities in the world...(more)
Craft your own narratives against the backdrop of ancient castles, winding lanes, and spectacular landscapes. Grasp the depth and breadth of Scottish literature in Edinburgh, the birthplace of Arthur Conan Doyle and Iain Banks. Through expert-led workshops, immerse yourself in gothic narratives, crime tales, and mythological legends and develop storytelling tools and techniques...(more)
What does it take to score as an entrepreneur in the international, interconnected business world of today? Get the answers straight from entrepreneurial leaders, and get set to launch a venture of your own...(more)
With their diverse genres and storylines, manga have become the bestselling comic books in the world. Through expert-led classes, enter the Japanese comic book universe in Kyoto, Japan’s cultural and artistic capital. Experiment with Japanese visual storytelling techniques in character design, plotting, and sketching, discovering your own creative process, from concept to creation. ..(more)
Discover the nuts and bolts of robotics engineering in the futuristic city of Tokyo. Spark your imagination for building robots in Japan’s innovative capital. Through hands-on classes, explore the basics of robotics and coding and learn about electrical components, circuits, chips, and microcontrollers. In just three weeks, build your own simple robot alongside other Global Navigators. In the end, present your robot and show off what it can do!..(more)
Learn the ropes of successful Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) operation as you discover how supporting disadvantaged children can lift an entire community. For three weeks, you will brighten the way for some special youngsters as you build valuable social work skills...(more)
Find your muse in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance.
Delve into the art of drawing, a foundational skill for any young artist, in the open-air museum of Florence. Tap into your imagination as you pick up cross-hatching, blending, scribbling, and more from professional artists and experts. You may even pick up a paintbrush and try your hand at ancient mediums like mosaics and frescoes—seen all over Florence. ..(more)
At the forefront of technology, Singapore is where incredible business ideas become reality. Through accelerated, interactive classes, discover how to get a viable and sustainable business off the ground. Using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a framework, team up with other Global Navigators to discuss community challenges, pitch a sustainable business solution, and participate in an ideas fair to share your prototype...(more)
Few experiences rival the opportunity to study abroad in Rome. Nowhere else can students step between thousands of years of art, history, and rich layers of contemporary Italian culture, surrounded by world-famous churches, monuments, and museums..(more)
Master the art of negotiation and learn to advocate for peace in Tallinn. Estonia offers a unique perspective on diplomatic relations. This small country between Russia and northern Europe has achieved political and economic progress in a short period of time—largely due to its diplomacy. From the country’s capital, Tallinn, get ready for an inside look at the day-to-day tasks of diplomats!..(more)
Join the daily swirl of life in Rabat, the cosmopolitan capital that’s home to diplomats, students and multilingual professionals. It’s the ideal backdrop for your daily Arabic language instruction (in both Darija and Modern Standard Arabic), and explorations into the rich traditions of Moroccan culture...(more)
Discover the marine environments and underwater life of the Mediterranean... in Spanish!
Dive deep into the study of marine organisms and their interactions with coastal and marine ecosystems while gaining a greater appreciation for the island of Mallorca...(more)
Observe unique Australian wildlife in the marine, coastal, and bushland ecosystems in and around Sydney alongside a local guide and environmentalist. Study the science behind extinction and the impact of human activity on fragile ecosystems. Conduct field work and collect data for analyzing and evaluating sustainability strategies implemented in urban coastal cities. Volunteer in bush regeneration and design a Conservation Campaign for your hometown...(more)
Live, write, and learn in three of the world’s great literary cities on a gap year adventure that blends creativity, culture, and personal growth before you head off to college...(more)
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