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Spanish Gap Year

Why choose Spanish Gap Year?

Spanish Gap Year is an experiential education organization with HQs in Madrid, Spain. We offer two different gap semester programs: Spain by Train is all about Spanish culture and language, while Future leaders combines internships and entrepreneurship. For further details, please visit our website or follow us @spanish.gap.year

Founded
2014

Reviews

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Allie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Future Leaders 2024

I absolutely loved my experience on the Future Leaders program. In Madrid I ramped up my Spanish and built foundational business/entrepreneurship knowledge, and I loved settling in in Barcelona with my internship, our classes, and then some free time. Our weeks were definitely super busy, but I loved building a lifestyle and feeling like I was living somewhere, especially after moving around a ton on my fall program. Between our Spanish classes, business concept lessons, hands-on entrepreneurship activities, internships, and official entrepreneurship competition, I learned a TON in areas I hadn’t known much about before. I definitely got lucky with a solid internship and great boss, and it was in a field I had never worked in before (fashion), so I really enjoyed it. In general, this program was super important for my pre-professional development. I also made amazing friends and had tons of fun - our free time was really what you make of it! Especially considering this was a pilot program, I’m so impressed by how well put-together and genuinely professional everything was, and I’m so grateful for Arantxa, our mentors, and everyone who put all of this together. The Spanish Gap Year team is truly the best!!!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would’ve used my weekends more to travel outside of the country!
Pros
  • Freedom - especially in Barcelona we were really able to build our own lifestyle outside our jobs and classes
  • Pre-professional development
  • Great support system/met great people
Cons
  • Curfew in Madrid - we stayed in home stays as opposed to student dorms, which are great for learning Spanish but definitely limit free-time opportunities
  • Packed schedule!! Not necessarily a con, but something to keep in mind if you want to do a ton of sight-seeing, walking around, etc.
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Clara
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Spanish Gap Year Spring 2024

From attending Spanish class in a beautiful old building with stained glass to pitching to a panel of investors on the 25th floor of amazing building in Barcelona, this program covered all the bases. We had the freedom to explore Madrid and Barcelona and find our favorite cafes and corner restaurants but were still kept busy with morning internships and afternoon entrepreneurship classes. I felt really supported by our mentors who are all extremely knowledgeable and always ready to lend a hand. Arantxa, the program manager, personally checked in on all of us constantly and made sure everything was going well. It was comforting to have such support while being in such a flexible program with time for whatever adventures we came up with. I loved this program and am sad to leave my new friends and Barcelona.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Take advantage of your weekends and explore as much as you can! Some of my favorite moments were traveling to towns outside of Barcelona and Madrid like Toledo, Alicante, Tossa de Mar, Lloret de mar, etc.! We saw the most beautiful beaches, ate the best paella, and it was so fun to have weekends away where everyone could get closer as a group and have new exciting experiences in different places.
Pros
  • Great mentors and leaders
  • Lots of adventures
Cons
  • Busy schedule
  • Accommodation far from city center
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Walden
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

SGY

Taking a gap year in Spain before starting college was one of the best decisions I've ever made. The program was incredibly well-organized, offering a perfect blend of adventure, cultural immersion, and personal growth.

From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed by a diverse group of fellow students and travelers that I became really good friends with. Together, we explored spanish cities, had delicious Spanish cuisine, and participated in a variety of activities that ranged from hiking to going bike riding through Camino.

The host families was a great experience which not only helped my language skills but understanding on the true Spanish culture. The program leaders always made me feel supported throughout this whole process.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The most unfamiliar fish I had was called Arroz negro.
Pros
  • Host families
  • Program leaders
  • Location
Cons
  • Group pairing
  • Strict rules
  • Excessive amount of group reflection session
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Ellen
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

SBT Spring 2024

This is a really great program to travel, learn Spanish, and get to know a culture. The staff is very caring, I loved Sagri and Arantxa a TON! We lived in about 10 places (including hostels), so be prepared for a lot of travel. The social aspect could be difficult for me because you’re in a small group for 3 months, but there were great moments as well. It’s a very packed schedule, but there’s a lot if fun activities, and you get try so many new things. I would definitely recommend! Especially if you want to learn the language and culture all together.

What would you improve about this program?
Probably allowing a bit more free time. You tend to make friends during your homestays and classes, and I wish I spent more time with them. Also, be prepared for the curfew!!
Pros
  • Improving Spanish
  • Traveling and learning a new culture
  • Unique and fun activities
Cons
  • Not a lot of free time
  • Curfew
  • Very tiring
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Fiona
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Spanish Gap Year

Spanish Gap Year was an amazing program and experience. The mix of travel, home stays, and cultural immersion was the perfect balance. The hostels were great for learning how to co-live with others and budget for food. Cooking and food was an amazing aspect. Train travel was nothing like I’ve experienced and I love the adventure. I have met some of my closest friends on this trip. Arantxa and Sagri are both wonderful and make the program an incredible experience for gap students. I learned a lot about Spanish history, culture, art, and myself as a student through experiential learning.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Spanish Tortilla.
Pros
  • Meeting people
  • Change of scenery
  • Language immersion
Cons
  • Not staying in one place long.
  • Early travel.
  • Can be tiring.

Programs

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Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Emma Corry

Job Title
Director
Emma has worked with ID Languages for just over 2 years, coming on board full time in January 2024 as our Director in Ireland. Emma manages the day to day running of our language school and edu-travel operations.

What is your favorite travel memory?

What is your favorite travel memory?

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Working with ID Languages has enriched my professional and personal development. Traveling and engaging with diverse cultures worldwide has honed my communication and adaptability skills. Promoting our language and cultural programs fills me with pride and a sense of mission. I look forward to the opportunity to use more language skills and resurrecting my A-Level Spanish!

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

A simple one - a local student who attended last year's summer camp as a shy and nervous ten year old, this year has been pestering her mum to ensure she can come back. She had such a wonderful time and all our summer campers, even those 6/7 years older than her, gave her the friendship and confidence she had been searching for. Also, her little brother - who is 2 years too young for camp, has begged to attend!

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would choose to wind back the years (just a few!) and join our Ireland Adventure Summer Camp. There were no opportunities like this when I was a teenager - I had a gruelling summer job instead! I'd love to share the experiences our campers have - meeting friends from around the world, in one of the most beautiful locations in the world, making friends for life!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

As a small, family run business, we pride ourselves in providing top quality, personal and professional service. Our clients receive a level of service only possible when our whole team is of the same mindset - always go above and beyond. Our team member, Anita, exemplifies this mindset, taking it upon herself to provide unique experiences for her students such as setting up visits to local cafes for her kids' Spanish class, ensuring that the Spanish speaking staff member let them place their orders in Spanish! They even had their own little menus for the visit - an experience the children will never forget.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I believe the biggest factor in IDL being a successful company is fostering a growth mindset while maintaining high standards and a personal touch. Embracing continuous learning and innovation allows us to adapt and excel, while our commitment to quality and personalised service ensures lasting relationships and a strong, loyal customer base.

Professional Associations

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