Gap Year Abroad Blog
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What to Expect from the 2025 CIEE Virtual Fair
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... keep reading
Host Family 101: All Your Questions Answered!
The host family experience is one of the most meaningful components of a Gap Year Abroad. It’s where the real cultural immersion happens—from language to food to daily traditions—and where... keep reading
How to Keep Up Your Spanish After High School Graduation
You just spent years learning Spanish in high school! When your daily classes are over, you worry about losing everything you worked so hard to build. All that effort, just... keep reading
In the Age of AI, Is Learning a Different Language Still Worth It?
Here's what travel looks like in the age of AI. You're in a bustling street market overseas. You're trying to buy something delicious, but you're not quite sure what it... keep reading
How to Graduate High School Early
Graduating high school early can be a smart move for many reasons. Maybe you’ve excelled in advanced classes and realized you’re already on track to finish high school early. Perhaps... keep reading
What Are the Different Types of College Deferral?
If you're researching how to defer college to take a gap year, you may have come across two types of deferrals. One is deferral for a second review, which might... keep reading
How To Continue Learning French After High School
You just spent years studying French—now is not the time to stop! In fact, learning French after high school can be way more fun. Now that you’ve got the basics... keep reading
Postponing College Admission? 5 Ways a Gap Year Abroad Can Help You Succeed
If you’ve landed on this blog, chances are you’re already considering college deferment—but maybe you’re not entirely convinced it’s the right choice. Here’s the truth: there are plenty of legitimate... keep reading
Gap Year Abroad Activities to Highlight on Your Resume
Your gap year abroad is so much more than just adventure travel. Your experiences abroad, especially on a gap year focused on language and cultural immersion, help shape you as... keep reading
2 Pros and 2 Cons of Taking a Gap Year Abroad
Young adulthood is go, go, go and chock-full of studying. If you are a high school student that’s about to graduate and head off to college, you might be finding... keep reading
How Can Gap Year Abroad Parents Best Communicate With Their Teen While Abroad?
Your teen is completing high school and leaving home for the first time on a gap year abroad—obviously, you want to stay in touch, especially as they aren't simply going... keep reading
7 Tips for Learning Spanish While on a Gap Year Abroad
The Spanish immersion participant experience while on a CIEE Gap Year Abroad is the absolute best way to learn the language. While abroad, you'll hear, read and speak Spanish everywhere... keep reading
Best Tips to Stay Fit While Studying Abroad on a Gap Year
During your gap year abroad, sharing meals with new friends and trying new dishes will be a big part of your experience. With food taking such a central place, you... keep reading
How to Ensure Your First Week Abroad Is a Success
Going abroad for a gap year is like stepping into the most exciting chapter of your life—a time filled with new experiences, friendships, and opportunities. The adventure of a lifetime... keep reading
How to Handle Culture Shock While on a Gap Year Abroad
One of the biggest study abroad tips is learning how to deal with culture shock. Culture shock is, for most people, an inevitable part of living abroad. However, we can... keep reading