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For Parents

Everything you need to know before your child goes abroad

Sending your child abroad is a big decision. We've been running structured gap year programs in Barcelona since 2012, and parent confidence is something we take seriously.

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What we provide

Structure, safety, and support — from day one

This isn't an unstructured trip abroad. Every student arrives to a full programme, a place to live, and a team they can turn to.

Safe, vetted accommodation

All students live in our managed student residence in central Barcelona — a secure building with other program participants.

A team on the ground

Our coordination team is based at the school, not in a call centre. Students have direct access to staff throughout the programme, including during evenings and weekends for genuine emergencies.

Airport pickup included

Every student is met at Barcelona airport on arrival. Nobody is left to figure out public transport in an unfamiliar city with all their luggage on day one.

A structured daily programme

Students aren't left to drift. The timetable runs Monday to Friday with TEFL training, Spanish classes, and organised cultural activities. Evenings and weekends are free time, but the week has real shape.

Visa support included

For programs over 90 days, we guide students through the Spanish student visa process step by step. We've done this hundreds of times and know exactly what's required.

Accredited qualifications

The Trinity CertTESOL is a globally recognised Level 5 qualification regulated by Ofqual. Students leave with something real — not just a certificate of participation.

Barcelona

One of Europe's most liveable cities

Barcelona is a large, cosmopolitan city with excellent public transport, world-class healthcare, and a culture that is welcoming to young international visitors. It consistently ranks among Europe's safest major cities.

Our school is located in the Eixample district — central, well-connected, and one of the most straightforward parts of the city to live and navigate. Students are a short walk from the school, the metro, and everything they need day to day.

Excellent public healthcare system
Easy flights from the US, UK, and Ireland
English widely spoken in the city centre
Central European time zone — easy to stay in touch
Barcelona city — Eixample district

Their gap year can count toward their degree

One of the most common concerns parents raise is what happens to credits while their child is away. Our optional Life Skills Foundation Course directly addresses this — students can earn up to 9 transferable US college credits, entirely online, alongside the rest of the programme. No exams, no fixed timetable, and an official academic transcript on completion.

Learn more about college credit →
9
Transferable US
college credits
Common questions

What parents usually ask us

Our coordination team is first-aid trained and knows the local healthcare system well. Spain has excellent public healthcare and Barcelona has several major hospitals. We accompany students to appointments when needed and keep parents informed. We strongly recommend students take out comprehensive travel and health insurance before departure.
Yes — Barcelona is on Central European Time (6 hours ahead of EST, 8 ahead of PST), so there's a reasonable overlap for calls. The accommodation has reliable WiFi and students have their phones throughout. Most parents find they're in touch more than they expected.
Our team is small enough to notice when someone isn't themselves. We check in with students regularly and the coordination team is approachable and experienced. If a student is genuinely struggling, we contact parents promptly and work together to find the right solution. In over a decade of running the programme, the vast majority of early wobbles resolve within the first week once students settle in.
Barcelona is a safe, modern European city visited by millions of people each year. Like any city, it has areas that are better avoided late at night, and pickpocketing can occur in tourist areas. We brief all students on this during orientation and the accommodation is in a safe, central residential neighbourhood. The vast majority of students have no issues at all.
We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical treatment, cancellation, and personal belongings. EU citizens can use their EHIC/GHIC card for basic healthcare. Non-EU students (including those from the US, Canada, and Ireland) should arrange private health insurance before departure. We're happy to advise on suitable providers.
Full details are in our terms and conditions. In summary: the €500 deposit is non-refundable, but the balance is fully refundable if you cancel more than 8 weeks before your start date. We recommend travel insurance that covers cancellation for peace of mind.

Have a question we haven't answered?

We're happy to speak with parents directly. Call us, email us, or ask your son or daughter to pass on our details.

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