Elite swimming GAP year in Seville, Spain
- FALL: Sept. 17 – Dec. 12, 2026
- SPRING: Feb. 4 – May 13, 2027
- GAP YEAR: Sept. 17, 2026 – May 13, 2027
- ELG: High School Graduate or done with Year 13 (UK) / Born in 2007, 2008, or 2009
- SWIMMING REQS.: Please see below >>
- LANG. REQS: No Prior Knowledge of Spanish is required
11,995€* See full breakdown >>
Train with Andalusia’s most successful competitive swimming club while living in Seville, Spain. Designed for dedicated swimmers, this program offers a high-performance training environment where athletes develop alongside Spanish competitive swimmers under experienced coaches.
High-Performance Training
- 5–6 pool sessions per week
- Up to 3 double training sessions
- Personalized coaching and training plans
Elite Swimming Club
- Andalusia’s most successful swimming club
- 24-time Andalusian Absolute Champion
- One of Spain’s leading competitive programs
Professional Facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool
- Strength & conditioning facilities
- Sports science support, including lactate testing and a hyperbaric chamber
Competition Opportunities
- Compete in regional and national swim meets
- Represent one of Andalucía’s leading swimming clubs
- Gain valuable international racing 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 high school varsity or club swimming experience
- Coach recommendation form completed by your last head swimming coach
- Completed student application form
Time Benchmarks (Men)
- 100 m Freestyle: 00:57.00
- 100 m Backstroke: 1:03.00
- 100 m Breaststroke: 1:13.00
- 100 m Butterfly: 1:01.00
Time Benchmarks (Women)
- 100 m Freestyle: 1:04.00
- 100 m Backstroke: 1:12.00
- 100 m Breaststroke: 1:21.00
- 100 m Butterfly: 1:10.00
If you exceed these times, contact Sean Chipres at seanrc@saiie.com.
For Men
For Women
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 swim for a Spanish university?
No. Unlike the U.S., high-level swimming in Spain is primarily organized through club teams. You will train and compete with a Spanish swimming club, while university students can also participate in university competitions.
Is the swimming team I will train with coed?
Yes. The swimming club SAIIE partners with has coed teams, so male and female swimmers train together.
Will I train with Spanish swimmers?
Yes. You will train alongside Spanish competitive swimmers as part of a local swimming club. This gives you the opportunity to experience the Spanish club-sports system while developing your swimming.
When do training sessions take place?
Training sessions typically take place at around 4:00 p.m., after classes. The exact schedule may vary depending on the training group and season.
Are training sessions held in Spanish?
Yes. You will train with Spanish swimmers 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 swim meets in Spain?
Yes. Students may have opportunities to compete in regional and national swim meets during their program. Most students can expect approximately one meet per semester, while stronger swimmers may have opportunities to compete in more. Competition opportunities depend on the club’s competition schedule and the timing of the student’s program.
Can I continue swimming competitively when I return to the U.S.?
Yes. Students who plan 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 training equipment, including fins, paddles and a kickboard. Snorkels may be used during training but are not required.
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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.