What to Expect from the 2025 CIEE Virtual Fair
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Planning a gap year can feel exciting and a little overwhelming. Between choosing a destination, figuring out funding, and knowing where to start, there’s a lot to consider. That’s where the CIEE Virtual Fair comes in.
From November 17–20, 2025, you can explore CIEE Gap Year programs around the world. With dozens of free information sessions to choose from, students and parents can connect directly with CIEE staff and alumni to learn about the topics that interest them most and what it’s really like to study abroad after high school.
Whether you’re curious about earning college credit, finding the right destination, or understanding how scholarships work, every session is designed to help you take the next step with confidence.
👉 Check out all CIEE Virtual Fair sessions and register today!
Explore Gap Year Programs Around the World
The CIEE Virtual Fair is your chance to explore all the ways a gap year can fit into your goals. Over four days, you’ll find sessions covering everything from cultural immersion and language learning to living with host families and earning college credit.
Below are some of the most common questions you’ll find answered in detail during the Fair, along with many more sessions designed to help you plan your perfect gap experience.
Where can you study?
CIEE offers Gap Year programs in a dozen countries, from Europe’s cultural capitals to vibrant communities in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Whether you want to focus on language learning, gain work experience through an internship, or travel between multiple locations, there’s a program for every interest and goal.
| Program Type | Destinations | Focus |
| Language & Culture Programs | - Shanghai, China
- Paris, France
- Berlin, Germany
- Florence, Italy
- Kyoto, Japan
- Seoul, South Korea
- Seville, Spain | Strengthen language skills, live with a host family, and immerse yourself in local culture. |
| Internship & Culture Programs | - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Sydney, Australia | Gain professional experience abroad while exploring a new culture. |
| European Tour Programs | - Europe Tour: Madrid, Rome, Paris
- France Tour: Paris, Toulouse, Nice
- Italy Tour: Milan, Florence, Rome
- Spain Tour: Barcelona, Seville, Madrid | Travel across multiple European cities while experiencing culture, history, and independence. |
How do credits transfer?
Gap Year programs aren’t focused on traditional academics; they’re about learning through experience. That said, some include language study or the option to earn college credit through Arizona State University (ASU).
Because credit transfer depends on your future college and program, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. For this question alone, the CIEE Virtual Fair is an amazing resource.
What other topics are covered in the Virtual Fair?
Beyond learning about program locations and credit transfer, attendees can join sessions that dive into the practical side of preparing for study abroad, like:
- Living with a host family and adjusting to a new culture
- Language immersion tips and tools
- Preparing for independent travel and cultural confidence
- Making friends abroad and finding community
- Application timelines and next steps
- Gap year scholarships
Each session is designed to help you picture your experience abroad and start shaping the future you want.
Hear from CIEE Alumni and Experts
During the Virtual Fair, you’ll get to hear directly from alumni and program staff who know what it’s like to live and learn abroad. These conversations go beyond brochures and highlight the real moments: finding your footing in a new city, connecting with a host family, and navigating travel challenges.
Here are a few examples of this year’s study abroad information sessions:
- Ambassador Abroad Round Table – Connect with students currently on program as they share stories and advice from around the globe!
- How Longer-Term Study Abroad Makes You Stand Out – Learn how a semester or year abroad can shape your future.
- The CIEE Homestay Experience – Hear what daily life looks like with a host family.
These sessions are a chance to ask honest questions, hear real stories, and understand how a CIEE experience helps you grow personally and academically.
Learn How to Fund Your Gap Year Experience
One of the biggest questions students and parents have is how to make studying abroad affordable. At the Virtual Fair, you’ll find sessions dedicated to scholarships, financial aid, and creative fundraising ideas.
A few sessions to look for include:
- CIEE Scholarships – Step-by-step guidance on eligibility and deadlines.
- Fundraising for Your Study Abroad Experience – Real examples of how students made their goals possible.
Bring your questions! These conversations are designed to help you build a personalized plan to fund your gap year with confidence.
Get Ready for What’s Next
The Virtual Fair also helps you with college applications, timelines, and planning tips—so you know exactly what to expect from the moment you decide on a gap year.
CIEE staff will walk you through topics like how to include study abroad on your Common App for college, what to expect during the pre-departure process, and how to make the most of your time abroad once you arrive.
A few examples include:
- Including Study Abroad on Your Common Application – Learn how to showcase your gap year experience on college applications.
- I Just Submitted My Application—Now What? – Hear more about what happens after you apply for study abroad, and how to prepare for departure.
These sessions are designed to make your next steps clear, manageable, and exciting—so you can move from curious to confident as you plan your adventure abroad.
How to Join the Fair
Joining the CIEE Virtual Fair is simple and completely free! Each session will take place online from November 17 to 20, 2025, and you can register for as many sessions as you’d like.
Just visit the event page, browse the schedule, and RSVP for the sessions that interest you most.
🗓️ CIEE Virtual Fair
📍 Online | November 17–20, 2025
💻 Free and open to all students and families