A Three Month Program of Travel, Adventure, Internship, & Spanish Language.
One Program. Three Pathways.
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Spring 2026: Mar 7th – May 30th
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Fall 2026: Sep 5th – Nov 28th
One Program. Three Pathways.
This all-in-one semester will begin with one month of traveling Spain by train, followed by two months in Barcelona where you choose your own pathway. Throughout the semester you develop soft skills (communication, confidence, problem-solving), hard skills (Spanish, digital tools, cooking), and leadership skills focused on making a positive contribution to the communities you join.
You can choose between three flexible pathways:
The Internship Pathway
A full-time internship in Barcelona designed to build hands-on experience, professional skills, and a strong foundation of hours for college credit or future career goals.
• Best for gappers who are motivated, structured, and ready to commit to a real-world work environment
• Ideal if you want to strengthen your résumé through teamwork, responsibility, and meaningful projects
The Entrepreneurship Pathway
A dynamic blend of a part-time internship, entrepreneurship labs, mentorship, and Spanish classes, culminating in a collaborative Shark Tank–style pitch of an impact-focused idea.
• Best for creative, curious gappers who enjoy problem-solving and thinking beyond traditional career paths
• Ideal if you want to explore business, innovation, and leadership while still gaining work experience
The Special Interest Pathway
A flexible pathway combining volunteering, classes, and optional part-time internships, designed for those who want to learn, contribute, and grow without a full-time work commitment.
• Best for community-minded gappers driven by passion, purpose, and cultural immersion
• Ideal if you thrive through service, creativity, language learning, or hands-on learning outside a traditional office setting
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Total Cost: €16k-€18k
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Dates: Sept 5th - Nov 28th
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Apply by: July 31st
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College Credits: Up to 12
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Pay via 529 funds? Yes
Quick Links
Designing Your Own Path
Choose the pathway that matches who you are now and who you want to become. Whether you are aiming to boost your résumé with a full-time internship, test your ideas in the Part-Time Internship + Entrepreneurship pathway, or lean into your passions through a Special Interest mix of volunteering, classes, and lighter work experience, each route is designed to move you closer to your goals while exploring Spain by train. You gain clarity about your strengths, build confidence in real-world settings, and come home with concrete experiences, stories, and skills that position you as a future leader aligned with your academic, professional, and personal ambitions.
Click to explore our locations!
Internships
Our program is different from other internship programs in that you will always be part of a cohort, you will never be the only student starting your internship at a certain time of year: you all go together and that way you always have friends around.
Industries
Just a Few of the Many Options Available: Advertising, Arts, Biotechnology, Business Development, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Event Planning, Fashion, Finance, Graphic Design, Green Technology, Healthcare, Hospitality & Tourism, Human Resources, Information Technology, Journalism, Life Coaching, Marketing, Non-profit, Pharmaceutical, Publishing, Public Relations, Real Estate, Sailing, Sports Management, Sustainability, Theater, and Video Production.
Credits
As a Gap Year Association (GYA) accredited provider, Spanish Gap Year offers participants the opportunity to earn college credit through GYA’s School of Record partnership with the University of Montana (UM). Spanish Gap Year manages the entire registration process.
Industries
Internships are either part-time (Monday through Friday, typically 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.) or full-time (9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.), depending on your placement and pathway. Some Spanish companies follow split schedules, with a longer midday break and later afternoon hours, reflecting local workplace norms. Your exact schedule will depend on your host company and industry. Spanish lunchtime usually begins at 2:00 p.m., so even part-time interns can join their colleagues.
Month One
Month Two
Month Three
Explore Spain by train while building confidence, cultural awareness, and Spanish skills through immersive travel, homestays, and shared adventures.
Travel to Seville, Salamanca, Madrid, and San Sebastian with day trips throughout Spain, France, and Portugal.
In months two and three you will settle into life in Barcelona as you dive into your chosen pathway while finishing the semester with confidence, independence, and impact.
Internship Pathway
Entrepreneurship Pathway
Special Interest Pathway
In Barcelona, you'll join two to three weekly activities that fit around your pathway, classes and weekend day trips while staying in your modern student accommodation.
Accommodation
During your time traveling across Spain by train you will live with Spanish host families with all meals included, being immersed in Spanish life, language and culture. For months two and three, you will be staying in a modern studio dormitory with breakfast and dinner included in Barcelona (or self catering options), experiencing independent living with a small group of your fellow gappers. In Barcelona, you can decide what to do for lunch: buy it at the supermarket and prepare it at home (you can take it to work with you, many people bring lunch boxes to the workplace) or you can eat out.
Meet The Team
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Eligibility
Candidates must be over 18
Participants must be in good health
High school degree with at least a 2.8 GPA
Participants with interest in their chosen pathway
Participants must be passionate about gaining work experience
Participants must agree to our program terms and abide by the program handbook
What's included?
Pre-travel preparation: online individual interviews and group meetings
Onboarding resources: Spanish culture course and language learning subscription
Access to our online learning & support program and course materials
Internship or volunteer placement and mentoring in Spain
Full-board homestay accommodations in month one (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
Half-board or self catering in Barcelona for months two & three (breakfast & dinner)
All transport between locations*
All classes, workshops and activities
* Does not include travel insurance and airfare
Your Application Timeline
Once you’ve had an online meeting with our team, here’s what the next steps look like as you move forward with your application:
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Submit your online application.
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Application review. We review your application within three working days.
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Program offer. If your application meets our standards, we offer you a place in your selected program.
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Secure your spot. We contact you with booking details and request a 20% program deposit to confirm your place.
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One-on-one interview. We schedule a personalized interview to review your health form, assess your Spanish level, and discuss your pathway and homestay preferences.
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Pre-departure preparation. You’ll receive flight recommendations, your onboarding meeting schedule, and login details for your online culture course and Spanish language resources.
Placement & Program Timeline
We recommend applying at least two months before your intended start date to allow for a smooth placement process. Applications are accepted year-round, and those submitted less than two months before the start date are still welcome. These applications will follow a condensed timeline, and will be accepted if spots are still available.
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2 months before your start date. Submit your CV, cover letter, passport copy, and professional photo.
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1–2 weeks after submission. First-round interviews with our placement partners.
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4–6 weeks later. Interviews with host companies begin.
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4 weeks before program start. You are placed with your host company.
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60 days before the program begins. Submit the paper health form signed by your doctor and pay the remaining program balance.
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Before departure. Attend onboarding meetings and receive your program handbook, packing list, and internship proposal.
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Arrival in Spain. Travel to Spain and we’ll be there to welcome you at the Madrid airport.