Your gap year in the vibrant capital of Seoul offers a unique blend of structure and the freedom to grow before college.
Experience a world where cutting-edge technology and ancient culture coexist as you dive into learning Korean, a relatively young language with a growing impact around the world. Immerse yourself in the language and culture of Korea as you study in a dynamic classroom setting alongside supportive peers and skilled native instructors. With 15-20 hours of Korean language classes during the week, you’ll build your skills and confidence while exploring your passion for this part of the world.
When classes wrap up for the day, Seoul’s energetic streets and historic sites become your playground. Wander through the palaces of Gyeongbokgung, savor street food at bustling markets like Gwangjang, and witness a cityscape dotted with ancient temples set aglow by neon lights.
Each day, your welcoming host family will help you connect with the local culture, sharing meals, everyday customs, and the warmth of Korean life, giving you an authentic glimpse into a culture that balances respect for tradition with modern innovation.
All CIEE Gap Year Abroad programs offer the option to take college-level coursework online through Arizona State University (ASU). You can earn credit at a discounted rate and complete your courses on your own schedule without needing to attend live classes while you're abroad. If you're interested in this option, visit the College Credit page on our website to learn more.
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)
Your Gap Year. Your Way.
The new suite of CIEE Gap Year Abroad programs allows you to fit in a study abroad semester (or two!) in your gap year with the focus that’s right for you. Choose from 3 program models: Language & Culture, Internships, or Multi-Destination!..(more)
CIEE's High School Semester Abroad programs include carefully-screened host families as well as group excursions, which are made possible by our decades of experience and in-country resources. With our own study centers near each location, our students are guaranteed 24/7 support from local CIEE staff while they are on program. Safety is our #1 priority and students receive international insurance to cover accidents or illnesses throughout their stay.
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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)
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)
Intern in Buenos Aires, where an up-and-coming startup scene meets cosmopolitan culture, giving you a head start on your professional journey. ..(more)
Your First Year Abroad program in London lasts 12 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE course 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 British culture. Live and learn in London! ..(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)
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)
Your gap year in France will take you to Paris, Toulouse, and Nice where you’ll enjoy the support and freedom to discover yourself before college...(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)
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)
Your First Year Abroad program in Rome lasts 12 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE course 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 Italian culture. Live and learn in Rome!..(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)
Your First Year Abroad program in Kyoto 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 Japanese culture. Live and learn in Kyoto!..(more)
Your First Year Abroad program in Monteverde lasts 12 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE course 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 Costa Rican culture. Live and learn in Monteverde!..(more)
Explore Europe during a multi-destination gap year in Madrid, Rome, and Paris, where structured learning and cultural immersion help you grow before starting college. ..(more)
Your gap year in Florence strikes the ideal balance of structure and independence, giving you the freedom to grow, discover yourself, and prepare for college...(more)
A gap year in Milan, Florence, and Rome offers the right balance of structure and independence, allowing you to dive into Italian culture before diving into college...(more)
Your gap year in Spain will take you to Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville, where structure and freedom allow you to learn more about yourself before college...(more)
Explore air and space engineering in Toulouse, Europe’s hub of future technologies. From supersonic airliners to space stations, gain insider insights from engineers, tackle global challenges, and collaborate with peers to design solutions. Test your ideas through computer simulations in this hands-on program...(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)
Passionate about social justice? In Dublin, explore issues of power, privilege, and equity while connecting with nonprofits that support marginalized groups. Propose your own social justice project, reflect on identity and culture, and gain tools to drive change at home. Along the way, immerse yourself in Irish traditions, explore historic sites, and experience life in vibrant Dublin and nearby villages...(more)
Follow in Nelson Mandela’s footsteps in South Africa, where his legacy of justice and equality lives on. Learn about the end of apartheid and Mandela’s vision for housing, education, and economic opportunity. Partner with local NGOs to support community initiatives, gain hands-on experience in service, and see how his mission continues to inspire change today...(more)
Your First Year Abroad program in Madrid lasts 12 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE course 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 Spanish culture. Live and learn in Madrid!..(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)
Twirl through Buenos Aires’ rich dance scene as you explore foundational dance techniques, culminating in final choreography inspired by South America..(more)
This traveling program offers you a unique chance to gain perspective on the region’s complex history and present-day challenges. Start in Seoul, engaging in debates on current issues. Then, see it all culminate in a final mock negotiation in Taipei with other Global Navigators—putting your new knowledge and debating skills to the test!..(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)
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)
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)
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)
Your First Year Abroad program in Seoul lasts 12 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE course 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 Korean culture. Live and learn in Seoul! ..(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)
Your First Year Abroad program in Copenhagen lasts 12 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE course 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 Danish culture. Live and learn in Copenhagen!..(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)
Spend a semester abroad in Barcelona, taking English classes in a city where Mediterranean sunshine meets daring architecture and vibrant street life...(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)
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)
Your First Year Abroad program in Mérida lasts 12 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE course 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 Mexican culture. Live and learn in Mérida!..(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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
In Paris, find the perfect balance of structure and independence, giving you the freedom to explore France and yourself before heading off to college...(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)
Your First Year Abroad program in Paris lasts 12 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE course 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 French culture. Live and learn in Paris! ..(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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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. Try your hand at ancient mediums like paper marbling...(more)
Sauté, braise, and flambé your own dishes in the food capital of the world. Discover the secrets of French cuisine in Paris alongside food experts and chefs. Each week, step into the kitchen for hands-on classes and explore restaurants and open-air markets to inspire your creations. Through coursework developed with Paris’ world-renowned culinary school Le Cordon Bleu, you'll prepare appetizers, entrées, pastries, and dessert!..(more)
Despite progress in Ghana’s education system, inequities remain tied to gender, geography, and income. This program explores how global organizations and NGOs are expanding access to schools and creating inclusive, child-friendly learning environments. Discover how innovative solutions are helping level the playing field so every Ghanaian child can learn and thrive...(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)
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)
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)
Take your talent in Mandarin to the next level in the urban metropolis of Taipei. Accelerate your Mandarin with four weeks of language immersion in Taipei, the heart of Taiwan. After language classes, dive into Mandarin conversations out in the streets, markets, restaurants, and on expert-guided excursions. Your Mandarin language skills will soar in the immersive program. ..(more)
Master the art of negotiation and learn to advocate for peace in Tallinn. 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)
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)
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)
Immerse yourself in Korean language and culture with a four-week summer program in Seoul. Master Hangul—the world’s youngest alphabet—while strengthening your conversation skills through interactive lessons. Beyond the classroom, connect with locals in traditional markets and temples, and experience the energy of Seoul’s iconic neighborhoods like Hongdae and Myeongdong...(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)
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 course 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!..(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)
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)
Your First Year Abroad program in Prague lasts 12 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE course 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 Czech culture. Live and learn in Prague! ..(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)
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)
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)
Your gap year in Seville offers the perfect balance of structure and independence, giving you the freedom to explore Spain and yourself before college...(more)
Leap into London’s historic performing arts scene while refining your dance technique to create a final performance that reflects the spirit of this global capital...(more)
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