Gap Year Programs
A gap year abroad with El Nomad offers high school graduates an opportunity to acquire a broader global perspective, gain independence, and become more self-aware. Our gap year programs offer university-level language courses and immersion into an Ecuadorian community, the opportunity to live with a host family, and experience participating in organized volunteer work in the local community.
The Experience
During your gap year experience with El Nomad you will participate in a home stay, Spanish classes, cultural activities, community tourism, and a volunteer position with a local organization.
An international volunteer position is a way to get an edge in the workplace and in life. Not only will volunteering in Ecuador through El Nomad increase your job opportunities, but it will also increase your language skills, introduce you to a new culture, and new ways of thinking. These experiences are highly desired by employers in our increasingly global world. It will also help you take what you learn in your Spanish classes and apply it to the real world; taking theory and turning it in to practical application. All of this while giving back to a community in need.
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Why Take a Gap Year?
Gap years are all about gaining life experience. Taking a gap year allows you the chance to reflect on possible future career paths, academic choices, experience a different culture, meet new people, see new places, learn a new language, and develop skills that will help you in your future.
More about gap years can be read in the following articles:
New York Times about U.S. student gap year
New York Times about U.S. student gap years
How Long Will My Program Last?
Since our programs are completely customizable, the duration of your program is completely up to you. If you would like to make El Nomad's gap year program part of a multi-country year abroad or if you would like to spend your entire year in Ecuador with El Nomad, we are happy to accommodate your plans either way.
What Will it Cost?
The cost of your program will vary depending on the length of your program, your accommodation selection (home-stay or private apartment), how many hours of Spanish you choose to take per week, if you participate in volunteer position, and the number and type of tourism packages you select.
What Could I do?
By customizing packages we allow students to individualize their experiences. However, this does not stop at just our packages. We take this same idea of customization and assist students with their personal development through...
• Personalized placements (by listening to exactly what the student
is studying and what their future goals are)
• Supplying a personal intern supervisor who provides individual
guidance throughout your placement
• Asking program participants to keep a comparative journal of their
internship/volunteer and cultural experiences abroad to better help
them apply what they have learned once they return home
• An official record of service/internship program completion
