Elite beach volleyball GAP year in Seville, Spain
- FALL: Mid Sept. – Mid Dec., 2026
- SPRING: End Jan. – Mid May, 2027
- GAP YEAR: Mid Sept., 2026 – Mid May, 2027
- ELG: High School Graduate or done with Year 13 (UK) / Born in 2007, 2008, or 2009
- VOLLEYBALL REQS.: Please see below >>
- LANG. REQS: No Prior Knowledge of Spanish is required
11,995€* See full breakdown >>
Train and compete in Spain while developing your beach volleyball skills in Seville. Designed for dedicated volleyball players, this program combines competitive beach training, Spanish team integration, and the opportunity to experience one of Europe’s most vibrant volleyball cultures.
Competitive Beach Volleyball Training
- Train on professional beach volleyball courts
- Two beach volleyball training sessions per week
- Develop technical, tactical, and game skills
- Experienced coaching support
Team Placement
- Join a competitive Spanish beach volleyball team
- Train alongside Spanish athletes
- Fully integrated into the team’s training environment
Competition Opportunities
- Obtain a licence to play with a Spanish beach volleyball team
- Participate in official Spanish beach volleyball competitions
- Gain international competition experience
Spanish Beach Volleyball Experience
- Experience Spain’s beach volleyball culture
- Develop as an athlete in an international environment
- Balance athletics with your Gap Year experience
Academics
Choose one of the following academic options.
SAIIE Intensive Spanish Language
16 hours of Spanish instruction per week
- Beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.
- Small class sizes.
- Official SAIIE Certificate upon completion.
University of Seville
Study alongside international students.
- Courses taught in English and Spanish.
- Open to students from beginner to advanced Spanish levels.
- Students enroll in 3–5 university courses per semester.
- Minimum age: 18 years before the end of the semester.
UWL Academic Credit
Students may choose to earn official U.S. academic credit through the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse (UWL), SAIIE’s School of Record.
UWL Academic Credit: €1,500 additional per semester
This option includes official UWL academic credit and an official UWL transcript.
To inquire about UWL academic credit, please contact Resident Director Stuart Chipres at director@saiie.com.
Experience authentic Spanish culture by living with a carefully selected host family in Seville.
Program Highlights
Carefully Selected Host Families
- Welcoming Spanish families
- Carefully screened by SAIIE
- Authentic cultural immersion
Meals & Daily Living
- Most meals included
- Experience authentic Spanish cuisine
- Supportive family environment
Comfortable Accommodation
- Shared room with another SAIIE student
- Wi-Fi included
- Weekly laundry service
Convenient Location
- Most families located within a 15–45 minute walk of SAIIE
- Airport reception upon arrival
- On going support
Program Requirements
- High School Graduate or done with Year 13 (UK) / Born in 2007, 2008, or 2009
- Current varsity or club volleyball experience
- Coach recommendation form from your current head volleyball coach
- 2–3 videos of playing and drills sent to seanrc@saiie.com
- Students must complete the student form.
Program Dates
Fall Semester
September 17 – December 12, 2026
Winter Break
December 13, 2026 – February 3, 2027
The SAIIE Gap Year program is not in session during winter break. Housing, classes, athletic training, and program activities are not provided during this period.
Spring Semester
February 4 – May 13, 2027
Program Fees
Optional U.S. College Credit
+€1,500 per semester
- Earn up to 12 U.S. academic credits per semester
- Receive an official University of Wisconsin–La Crosse transcript
- University of Wisconsin–La Crosse serves as SAIIE’s School of Record
- Credits are earned through eligible SAIIE academic coursework
Semester + Academic Credit: €13,495
Academic Year + Academic Credit: €26,495 (up to 24 credits)
Academic credit is optional and available to eligible students.
Program Costs Include
- SAIIE program fees and student support services before, during, and after the program.
- Airport reception and transfer to the student’s Spanish host home on the arrival date.
- On-site orientation upon arrival.
- 24/7 bilingual on-site staff support throughout the program.
- Spanish host-family accommodation with most meals included: breakfast and lunch Monday–Friday, and dinner Sunday–Thursday.
- One load of laundry per week throughout the program.
- Program excursions and activities, including a weekend excursion and a day trip to Córdoba.
- Welcome and farewell meals.
- Spanish language program fees, including classes Monday–Thursday, or University of Seville program fees, depending on the student’s academic pathway.
- Athletic program fees, including coaching, training and access to program facilities.
- SAIIE Certificate certifying Spanish language study completed at the SAIIE Center.
- University of Seville grade report documenting courses completed, when participating in the University of Seville program.
Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs
- Passport
- CISI health and medical evacuation insurance (mandatory)
- Spanish visa for U.S. citizens (approximately $160)
- Round-trip airfare between the USA and Spain (approximately €600–€1,000)
- Meals not included with accommodation (approximately €600 per semester)
- International Student Identity Card (ISIC) (approximately €10–€20)
- Transportation to athletic practices (approximately €100 per semester)
- Personal expenses (approximately €1,000 per semester)
- Optional additional trips (approximately €700 per semester), including optional weekend trips to Morocco and Granada
- Optional co-curricular activities (approximately €500 per semester)
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester / Academic Year: April 1
Spring Semester: October 1
Applications may close earlier if the program reaches capacity.
Missed the deadline? Please contact Sean Chipres, Director of Program Development, to enquire about late application options. Contact us or email seanrc@saiie.com.
FAQ
Will I play beach volleyball for a Spanish university?
No. Unlike the U.S., high-level beach volleyball in Spain is primarily organized through clubs and teams. You will train and compete with a Spanish beach volleyball team while experiencing the local club-sports system.
Will I train with Spanish beach volleyball players?
Yes. You will train alongside Spanish beach volleyball players as part of a competitive local team. You will be integrated into the team’s training environment and have the opportunity to experience beach volleyball in Spain.
How often will I train?
You will participate in two beach volleyball training sessions per week. Training focuses on technical, tactical, and game development, with experienced coaching support.
Where will I train?
Training takes place at a local volleyball club in Seville that has beach volleyball courts in Seville.
Are training sessions held in Spanish?
Yes. You will train with Spanish players and coaches in a Spanish-speaking environment. No prior knowledge of Spanish is required, and training provides an additional opportunity to practice Spanish throughout your time in Seville.
Can I compete in beach volleyball competitions in Spain?
Yes. Students participating for the full academic year can obtain a licence to play with a Spanish beach volleyball team and may have opportunities to participate in official Spanish beach volleyball competitions. Competition opportunities depend on team placement, eligibility, and the competition schedule during the student’s program.
How do you determine whether I am at the appropriate level for the program?
This is a competitive beach volleyball program, so applicants must demonstrate the level needed to participate in the team’s training environment. As part of the application process, students are asked to submit 2–3 short videos showing them playing volleyball and completing basic drills. We use these videos, together with the student’s volleyball experience and coach recommendation, to determine the most appropriate training environment.
Can I continue playing volleyball when I return to the U.S.?
Yes. Students can continue playing volleyball after returning to the U.S. Students planning to compete for an NCAA college team should discuss their specific circumstances with their future college’s compliance office before competing in Spain, as NCAA eligibility can depend on the type and circumstances of the competition.
What equipment should I bring?
Students should bring their usual beach volleyball training equipment, including appropriate athletic clothing and volleyball shoes.
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APPLY NOW
To start your application to our program please complete the student form. For more information on the program please contact the Director of Program Development & Student Experience, Sean Chipres, at seanrc@saiie.com.