ENRICH YOUR INNER WORLD
WITH A GAP YEAR IN SPAIN
Become immersed in a vibrant new culture while you learn the language
and invest in a competitive professional profile.
Spain is the perfect destination to explore your passions
Education isn't the only way to make your resumè stand out.
An immersion gap year has nothing to do with an extended vacation.
You will spend 100% of the time learning new things: mastering a foreign language, immersing into a new culture, venturing into a new city and its surroundings and indulging in local cuisine.
Also, you will gain several life skills: budgeting, time management, problem-solving in an international atmosphere, self-awareness, empathy, assertiveness, interculturar soft skills and many others.
With our Gap Year in Spain program, you will become fluent in Spanish with our quality lessons at Instituto Cervantes Accredited Centre. Fall in love with Valencia thanks to our daily activities and weekend trips. As well as, learn the Spanish culture first-hand by living everyday life in the country and meeting locals.
And if what you’re looking for is to study a degree at a Spanish university, you should get to know our University Pathway program in Spain. Your professional future is in your hands!
Valencia: amazing climate & culture
International atmosphere
Exciting leisure activities
Get fluent in Spanish
Qualified teachers
Intensive Spanish courses
SEE LIFE THROUGH A DIFFERENT LENSE
Gap Year
in Spain
1. learn Spanish
AIP Language Institute
25 years offering an amazing language learning experience
In 1998, AIP Language Institute opened its doors. Since then, thousands of participants have enjoyed our language courses in Valencia. Many of them enrolled in our gap year in Spain
The main objective at our school is to help students learn Spanish and provide them with a very special cultural and language immersive experience on the coast of Spain.
We also go to great lengths to give the highest quality possible in language teaching, guaranteed by our seal of Accredited Centre by Instituto Cervantes.
the lessons
- Monday to Friday
- from 09.00 am to 1.00 pm
- 20 lessons per week
- a combination of grammar work
and speaking practice - all levels are welcome
- communicative approach
The perfect chance to learn Spanish with our team of qualified native teachers in dynamic language lessons, providing the ideal scenario for effective language learning.
Students are organized into small class groups according to their knowledge of Spanish to guarantee the correct evolution of each student.
some facts
Teachers rating
Course Rating
Students Country of Origin
Activities Rating
Gap Year
in Spain
2. Valencia
Your second home
You won't believe the quality of life you will have here.
Bathed by the Mediterranean sea, Valencia offers the perfect mix: great climate, mild temperatures, lots of sun, beaches, mountains, energetic streets and a great deal of exciting plans. As well as a cosmopolitan and open city with a population of about one million – not too big, not too small.
Apart from our daily activities and weekend trips, you can complement your stay by adding to the mix other activities like tennis, padel tennis or other fitness activities.
Our activities program will be key during your immersion gap year in Spain. Taking part in them will help you find your way around the city, locate the hotspots, get to know other people and fall in love with the Valencia.
If you want to know what kind of activities to expect during your stay, you can take a look at an example activities program or check out our Instagram profile.
Valencia has everything you need to make you feel at home.
add sports to the mix
Apart from learning Spanish and immersing in a new and exciting culture, you can make the most out of your stay by adding a sport to your day to day life. Keep active, meet new people and have lots of fun with some of these activities.
Padel
Such a fun sport to play and a great way to get to know new people in Valencia. It is easy to learn and can be enjoyed regardless of your skill level. Get a good workout and a great time!
Tennis
It has a steeper learning curve than padel, but it is hugely enjoyable once you get the hang of it. It is played at high intensity and it also requires a high level of strategy. A great combination for both body and mind.
Sailing
One of the main benefits of any coastal city is how close the beach is. In Valencia, the beach is always bursting with activity and provides a great escape to switch off and keep active. Sailing is a great activity to reduce stress and improve mental well-being while enjoying the Mediterranean sea.
Windsurfing/Kitesurfing
Catching the wind and gliding across the water on a windsurf board is a unique rush. It is a great way to connect with nature. Feels like harnessing the elements and provides a fulfilling sense of freedom.
Gap Year
in Spain
3. accommodation
Homestay or apartment
Two different ways to make the most out of your gap year in Spain experience.
Local host family or residence hall? Both are winning options, but they are different and special in their own way.
local host family
Staying with a local family provides a unique experience for direct contact with the Spanish culture and its customs. This accommodation option will also maximize the time of exposure to Spanish, creating many opportunities for students to practice what they learn.
Our long-term collaborating families have been carefully selected to ensure the students feel welcome and comfortable with them.
When choosing this option, students have to go to school and then back home on their own.
- Private room
- Shared bathroom
- Full or half board
- Wi-Fi
- Cooling system for hot days
apartment
More independence and privacy. Staying at one of our shared apartments will allow you to live your gap year in Valencia at your own pace.
You won’t have any established meal times and you will be able to cook for yourself, which is also a great life skill to learn.
A shared apartment requires self-discipline, organization skills and self-commitment to follow the house rules and foster a smooth cohabitation.
Living your gap year in Valencia and staying in a shared apartment is the best option for those who want to have total freedom to enjoy their time in Valencia without closed timetables.
- Private room
- Shared bathroom
- Cook your own meals
- Wi-Fi
- Cooling system for hot days
Gap Year
in Spain
4. prices
Time to decide!
If you got to this section it is because you are really looking forward to getting our of you comfort zone.
You are more than ready to immerse yourself in a new culture so that you can get to know yourself better, get comfortable in a new culture, master the Spanish language (the 4th most spoken language worldwide) and gain a competitive edge for your professional future.
Our gap year programs adapt to your needs and times.
If you are looking for a shorter gap, our Gap Semester Program may be the best option. It lasts 3 months and gives you enough time to fully live the experience.
However, if you want to dig deeper into the culture and become really proficient in Spanish, check with us the possibilities to extend your stay.
Gap Semester Family
- 12 weeks of stay in Valencia
- 20 lessons of Spanish per week
- Stay with a local family with half board
- Single room
- Airport pickup
- Daily activities to discover the city
Gap Year
Family
- 36 weeks of stay in Valencia
- 20 lessons of Spanish per week
- Stay with a local family with half board
- Single room
- Airport pickup
- Daily activities to discover the city
Gap Semester Apartment
- 12 weeks of stay in Valencia
- 20 lessons of Spanish per week
- Stay at a shared apartment
- Single room
- Airport pickup
- Daily activities to discover the city
Gap Year Apartment
- 36 weeks of stay in Valencia
- 20 lessons of Spanish per week
- Stay at a shared apartment
- Single room
- Airport pickup
- Daily activities to discover the city
what's included
Daily Spanish language
and culture lessons
- 20 language lessons per week from Monday to Friday
- Small groups (maximum 12 students per class)
Accommodation
The gap year in Valencia can also be booked without accommodation.
Transportation from Valencia airport
Certificate of attendance
We are an Accredited Centre by Instituto Cervantes so all our certificates count with their seal of quality.
Personalised supervision
extras
Extended stay: €75/day
Additional day in residence hall or host family with full board and activities.
Late/early airport transfers: €55/way
Transfers are included for all students except for arrivals between 10.45 pm and 7.00 am.
Health & Cancellation insurance
2 weeks: €45, additional weeks: €8/week.
frequently asked questions
about taking a gap year in Spain
- In order to book a place on the programme, participants need to fill out our Enrolment Form first. Also, participants need to pay 150€ in advance, as a non-refundable deposit, which can be paid via bank transfer, credit card or PayPal.
- Upon receipt of the non-refundable deposit payment (150 €), we will send an email confirming admission in the course.
- The non-refundable deposit will then be deducted from the final price, and final payment should be made a minimum of one month before the beginning of the lessons. Sending a payment receipt via email is necessary.
- Participants may cancel their place on the programme, which will be effective immediately upon receipt email.
- If the chosen payment method is bank transfer*, the IBAN number will be required.
- Account name: Advisers for International Programs in Spain, S.L.
- IBAN Number: ES05 0075 1129 4206 0018 7614
- BIC Code: BSCHESMM
- Bank details: Banco Santander – Avda. del Botánico Cavanilles, 22. 46010 Valencia.
- If the chosen payment method is bank transfer*, the IBAN number will be required.
*The participant’s name has to be mentioned on all payments. All bank charges are the participant’s responsibility.
Your gap year in Spain can be whatever you want it to be. It’s up to you to decide how you want your stay in Spain to be.
One of the main perks of taking a gap year is that you will have time to figure things out. Mainly your future.
And during that journey, you will:
- learn another language
- meet new interesting people who might also become life-long friends
- travel around Spain to discover how amazing it is
- keep active and fit practising a sport you love
- focus on your personal growth.
Of course not. You have to think of your gap year in Spain as a powerful tool, provided that it is aligned with your academic or professional goals.
A gap year should not be approached as a way to run away, but as a time to close ranks and define a strategy for your future.
It can make you feel more motivated and focused and many colleges and employers view gap years positively, recognizing their benefits.
It’s not that you need a master plan before starting your gap year, but it is more than advisable to have an outline of what you would like to get out of this experience.
Overplanning wouldn’t be the right approach either, as exploring different options and discovering new interests is one of the main assets of a gap year. Identifying your goals and budget and having a timeline is the best way to define your gap year.
Remember to consider factors such as travel arrangements, visas, and necessary preparations for different activities as well.
Spain has been chosen as the best city to live by Expats two years in a row. This we are sure provides a peace of mind when considering Spain for your gap year.
Anyhow, it is perfectly normal to feel homesick or experience culture shock.
To fight these it is important to keep a positive attitude toward change and embrace the challenge of adapting to a new culture and city.
Participating in the daily activities organized by the school, keeping an active social life, and having friends and family visit can be a good way to ease your transition into living in Spain.
That’s right!
All ages are welcome! It has more to do with attitude than with age.
If you feel like you want to take time to figure things out, get to know yourself better and reorganize the priorities in your life, then a gap year in Spain is for you.
Gap years are often associated with high school graduates, but it doesn’t matter how old you are or what stage of life you are in. Benefit from taking time off to pursue personal interests and or gain new experiences.