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Gap Year Abroad

Invest in yourself. Transform your future!

With ESL you get the lowest prices guaranteed! 💸 Or we'll refund the difference! ✅

Travel longer. Learn quicker

Creating new connections, building daily routines, and embracing a new culture. Speaking your new language so well that you become multilingual. Exploring a different city and making it your home. 

When you have more time to spend in your destination, you stop being a tourist and start becoming part of the city. And when you travel with ESL, you can customise every aspect of your trip, from your budget and lifestyle to your accommodation and activities. We’ll make sure you have an experience that makes your CV sparkle!

Are you ready to embrace the unexpected? Start your adventure today!

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The most popular long-term destinations among our students

Covering 200+ destinations and 17 languages, we'll definitely find the perfect fit for you. Contact us to see current promotions in your dream destination!

Canada

Toronto

Study in Toronto

This multicultural city is full of life and surrounded by amazing nature! In Toronto, take a Gap Year, or an Academic Year in Language & CultureUniversity Preparation, or Professional Preparation [get a free quote here]

England

London

Study in London

Learn English in this vibrant city, bursting with history and culture. Choose from a Gap Year, or an Academic Year in Language & Culture, Exam Preparation, or Professional Preparation [get a free quote here]

Ireland

Dublin

Study in Dublin

Immerse yourself in one of the world's most welcoming cities and one of our most popular cities. Choose from a Gap Year, or an Academic Year in Language & Culture, Exam Preparation, or Professional Preparation [get a free quote here]

Australia

Sydney

Study in Sydney

As well as being the country's economic hub, Sydney has some of Australia's best beaches and wonderful national parks such as Ku-ring-gai Chase and the Blue Mountains. Take a Gap Year in Sydney today! [get a free quote here]

USA

Los Angeles

Study in Los Angeles

Experience the glitz and glamour of Hollywood for yourself and immerse yourself in the artistic culture of Los Angeles. Choose from a Gap Year or an Academic Year in Language & Culture or Professional Preparation [get a free quote here]

Japan

Tokyo

Study in Tokyo

Discover the wonders of Japanese culture and use your gap year to experience the vibrant metropolis of Tokyo or explore the whole country through its excellent transport links. Take a Gap Year in Tokyo today! [get a free quote here]

Canada

Vancouver

Study in Vancouver

Vancouver is not only an urban experience; you can also enjoy the breathtaking scenery that surrounds the city. Choose from a Gap Year or an Academic Year in Language and Culture or University Preparation [get a free quote here]

Where could your long-term course with ESL take you?

With over 200+ destinations, 17 languages, we can create the experience that's right for you! [Get your free, no obligation quote here]

Discover our range of long-term courses

Academic Year (Language & Culture)

Travel from 6 months to a year and work on your English, French and German while also receiving personalised support and enjoying dedicated activities to help you better understand your host culture. 

With plenty of other like-minded students that will become your international connections for life, fun cultural events, fascinating guest speakers, and monthly visits to local attractions, you’ll see your new city like never before and return home irreconcilable!

Get a quote

Academic Year (University Preparation)

Prepare for your international education and study for an accredited exam, such as IELTS or TOEFL. 

Make the fast-track to university with personalised guided university applications to our partner institutes, university visits, qualified guest speakers, and your exam fee included. Your dream university is waiting for you!

Get a quote

Academic Year (Professional Preparation)

Command a higher salary by earning an advanced certificate in your industry, with four-week modules that are highly relevant to your chosen industry. You can choose to study Business, Communication and the Arts, or Media and Technology. Aside from your course, you’ll also have plenty of guest lectures and workshops to help you become a more well-rounded professional.

Get back home with all the language skillset you need, plus a certificate that will push your CV to the next level.

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Gap Year

Get access to our entire portfolio and study a language at your own pace through this long-term programme that will allow you to study the language you want, in the destination you’re dreaming of, for the duration you feel like! 

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Multi-destination

For a multi-destination gap year, you’ll have access to our whole portfolio of schools and can mix and match however you please! Even if you’re studying for a more focused goal on an Academic Year, we can connect you with our partner schools that will allow you to continue your studies in an entirely new city or country without missing a beat.

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Let's start planning your adventure. But how does it work?

Step 1: Getting in touch and choosing your language adventure

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Step 1: Getting in touch and choosing your language adventure

Whether you use our contact form or organise a call with us directly, we’ll schedule a time slot with our dedicated advisors. Alternatively, you can drop in at any of our 40+ offices and speak to us face to face, don’t be shy! Find your nearest office here

Step 2: Choosing your language adventure

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Step 2: Choosing your language adventure

Here is where you can experience the best of our expertise!  We’ll ask you what you’re looking for and why. Our travel advisors will take the time to get to know you and match you with the programme that fits your needs, from classic travel hotspots like London or New York, to hidden gems like Boracay Island or Cape Town. 

When we’ve collected all of this information, we’ll send you an offer of the course, accommodation, and destination that we think works best for you. 

Is the offer not quite the right fit? That’s fine! We’ll have as many calls as you want to tweak your programme until it’s perfect. 

Step 3: Planning your trip

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Step 3: Planning your trip

Once you’ve chosen your ideal trip, we’ll start making it a reality! During this time, you won’t have to think about deadlines, requirements, or small details—we’ll work on it for you and keep you up-to-date transparently and consistently. 

Step 4: During your trip

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Step 4: During your trip

The best part about travelling with us is that you have an entire team of professionals behind you if you need us while you’re abroad!

We’ll regularly check up on you to make sure your trip is up to your standards and are ready to tackle any issue that comes your way. Not a fan of your accommodation? We’ll find you a new one! Feeling a little overwhelmed by your lessons or finding them too easy? Let’s change your level! Having too much fun and want to try out another destination? We already have the perfect one for you! 

Let’s plan your Gap Year Abroad!

Have questions about how to start your journey? Tell us about yourself so we can help find the right programme for you!

1. Select language and destination

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2. Tell us more about yourself
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Why you should do a Gap Year or Academic Year Abroad

✅  To improve your language skills and start speaking like a native.

✅  To boost your CV and increase your value in the job market.

✅  To build an international network and make friends from all over the world!

✅  To live the best year abroad! And many more reasons…

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a long-term programme?

A long-term programme is a life-changing experience that will allow you to break out of your routine by becoming an entirely new person. Not only will you master your language skills, you’ll gain confidence, social skills, cultural appreciation, and fond memories that you’ll take with you for life. 

You can do this either through a gap year, which will let you learn and explore a new destination (or multiple destinations) at a pace that suits you, through general language lessons and cultural activities. Or, an Academic Year Abroad, which will allow you to study for a specific goal, such as exam preparation or a professional certificate, with a variety of resources included in the programme. 

Whichever option you choose, a long-term programme represents your best opportunity to break through your personal learning barriers and become fluent in your new language.

Does ESL provide support with visas and study abroad paperwork?

ESL can help you with the process of obtaining a visa, as this will depend on the country you plan on visiting and the length of your stay. Throughout your visa process, we will provide you with accurate, up-to-date advice on your chosen destination, but please note that you will be responsible for paying any visa fees.

How long will I spend abroad on a long-term course with ESL?

The best part about this course is that it’s tailor-made for you! Meaning it can be as long or as short as you need it to be. However, remember that time is a language learner’s best friend! It generally takes between 10 and 12 weeks to progress from one CEFR level to the next, so the more time you commit to your programme, the more ambitious your goals can be!

Why should you choose ESL for your year abroad?

A long-term language course involves a lot of planning. When you make such a big investment in your time, you will want to be sure that you’re getting the absolute best out of it. That’s why ESL is the perfect choice for your long-term programme. With more than 25 years of experience and a 97% recommendation rate from our customers, booking with ESL means booking with confidence. Here are just some of the ways we help you with your long-term programme

  • We provide you with endless options. Every year, we extend our portfolio of schools worldwide, and today you can choose from 250+ destinations and 17 languages, giving you more options than any other agency.
     
  • Our service is built around YOU. With full customisation available in every aspect of your course, from accommodation to activities. Our expert team of advisors will be with you at every step of your journey, making sure you’re happy, learning, and getting the best out of your time.
     
  • We charge no additional fee. With such a long time abroad, the bills can pile up, but they won’t be from us! When you travel with ESL, you can rest assured that our services come 100% free of charge. Your course will be the same price as if you’d gone directly with the school, and if you find your programme cheaper elsewhere, we’ll refund you the difference!
     
  • You only have the best schools. Each of our partner schools must pass a rigorous selection process, so you know you’re only enrolling with the best in the industry. Also, as an ESL student, you’re a VIP! So, you can expect a top-notch level of service, no matter which school you choose.

What's the difference between a Gap Year and an Academic Year Abroad

While both an Academic Year Abroad and a Gap year are great ways to learn a language over a longer period of time, they each have distinct benefits that fit individual needs. Which one is right for you?