CIEE: Gap Year Program Spotlight

You’ve decided to take a gap year before college. Now what?! How can you create a gap year that is as intentional, meaningful, and growth-oriented as possible? Enter CIEE, a nonprofit intercultural exchange organization that has been offering study abroad experiences for over seven decades. Whether you’re looking for that perfect blend of independence and structure, hope to earn college credit, or want to improve your language fluency while soaking up everything that a new city has to offer, CIEE’s Gap Year Abroad programs deliver on every level. Want to learn more about how CIEE blends academic structure with authentic cultural immersion, leading to transformative, highly impactful experiences? Keep scrolling.

Note: This is a sponsored post written on behalf of CIEE. Our site only partners with programs that bring significant value to students and the material in this blog is 100% the genuine opinion of College Transitions. 

What gap year programs does CIEE offer?

A leader in international education since 1947, CIEE offers two programs for recent high school graduates: Gap Year Abroad and First Year Abroad. 

If you’re on the hunt for an ideal balance of structured academics and independent exploration, Gap Year Abroad is a great fit. During this program, you’ll spend 15-20 hours per week engaging in language classes. Your goal? To advance one whole proficiency level, which you’ll be able to showcase during STAMP, the program’s final proficiency test. Outside of class, you’ll live with a host family, have plenty of free time to explore the surrounding area, and have access to weekly CIEE excursions that are both exciting and culturally immersive. You can choose to participate in a Gap Year Abroad program for one semester (11-12 weeks) or the full academic year (30-32 weeks).

First Year Abroad is more structured. In this program, you’ll complete your first semester or year of college in another country. Accordingly, you will enroll in introductory-level college classes, earning up to 13 credits per semester through CIEE’s academic home and school of record, Dean College. All classes are taught in English. Moreover, you’ll take part in frequent academic and cultural activities as well as several day and/or overnight trips, and will live either with a host family or in an on-campus residence hall. Finally, you can attend each First Year Abroad program for one semester (11-12 weeks) or an academic year (25 weeks – this is only an option on the First Year Abroad in Monteverde program). 

Finally, and importantly, all CIEE gap programs are accredited by the Gap Year Association, the highest possible certification for a gap year program. This means that they have undergone a lengthy verification and review process and abide by rigorous integrity and safety standards.

What is CIEE’s Gap Year Abroad Program like?

During your Gap Year Abroad experience, you’ll take language classes in the morning followed by activities and independent exploration in the afternoon. On the weekends, optional excursions will immerse you in even more of what your host city and country has to offer. Think: local cooking classes, museums, and walking tours, overnight trips to historic cities, and day trips to significant architectural sites. Finally, expect to have plenty of time to connect with your host family as well as fellow students. 

Let’s take a look at the five possible destinations for Gap Year Abroad:

• French Language and Culture: Paris, France
• German Language and Culture: Berlin, Germany
• Italian Language and Culture: Florence, Italy
• Japanese Language and Culture: Kyoto, Japan
• Spanish Language and Culture: Seville, Spain
• Writer’s Workshop in Europe: Paris, France; Edinburgh, Scotland; London, England

What is CIEE’s First Year Abroad Program like?

Since you’ll be taking college classes, much of your time will be spent on academics. You can choose from classes in arts & humanities, world language, natural & physical sciences, mathematics, social sciences, and more. Examples include Principles of Microeconomics, Introduction to Political Science, Introduction to Drawing, General Chemistry, and World History, among many others. The exact course offerings will depend on the location you select and the semester during which you attend. 

Outside of class—and depending on the program—you’ll either live with a local host family or in a residence hall (some programs only provide one or the other). If you opt for a homestay, you’ll live within a 30-40 minute commute of CIEE’s campus and eat two meals a day with your host family. If you live in one of the on-campus residence halls, you’ll live with other CIEE and local students and be responsible for your own meal prep. No matter which housing option you choose, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore the surrounding area and participate in organized excursions.

Currently, CIEE offers their First Year Abroad program in seven countries:

• Barcelona, Spain
• Berlin, Germany
• Kyoto, Japan
• London, England
• Monteverde, Costa Rica
• Rome, Italy
• Sydney, Australia

What type of experience can I expect during CIEE’s gap year programs?

Take a look at the glowing reviews from past alumni, and you’ll quickly get a sense of CIEE’s program quality and outcomes. Incredibly, 96% of CIEE alumni reported that their language skills improved, 94% said they learned to interact with different cultural backgrounds, and 89% said their level of independence increased. 

Bottom line? CIEE knows what they’re doing—they support over 40,000+ students per year in 35+ countries around the world. With their time-tested blend of structure and independence, you can expect a gap year experience that is both academically and personally transformative. You’ll learn more about yourself as a student and person, emerging from your program with newfound skills and confidence that will enable you to thrive on the next step of your academic journey.

Are there language proficiency requirements?

Nope! You can enter CIEE’s program whether you are a complete newbie to a language or hold a moderate level of proficiency. During Gap Year Abroad, you will be enrolled in language classes appropriate for your level of proficiency, and during First Year Abroad, all of your general education classes will be taught in English. 

However, some programs do strongly encourage students to self-study before attending, and in general, you’ll get even more out of the program if you enter with basic communication ability. 

How much do CIEE’s Gap Year Abroad and First Year Abroad programs cost?

Gap Year Abroad, which includes local language school placement, homestay placement, meals, excursions, and medical & travel insurance, ranges from $12,500-$26,500, depending on your destination as well as the length of your program. 

Alternatively, First Year Abroad starts at $20,800, and includes tuition, housing, activities, excursions, and travel insurance. 

Finally, all programs include orientation, pre-departure advising, and 24/7 on-site, in-country support.

CIEE Gap Year Programs — Next Steps

To apply to one of CIEE’s programs, review eligibility criteria and complete an application.

Although CIEE’s application deadline is June 1st for Fall programs and September 1st for Spring, you can take advantage of their special offers if you apply by one of the priority deadlines. 

Happy traveling!