elite women's soccer gap year in Seville, Spain
| FALL: Sept. 18 - Dec. 12, 2025 |
| SPRING: Jan. 29 - May 8, 2026 |
| ELG: High School Graduate or done with Year 13 (UK) / Born in 2007, 2008, or 2009 |
| SOCCER REQS.: Please see below >> |
| LANG. REQS: No Prior Knowledge of Spanish is required |
11,995€* See full breakdown >>
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
ACADEMIC CREDIT
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
PROGRAM DATES, COSTS AND DEADLINES
INSURANCE
ACCOMMODATION
@saiieathletics
Elite women's soccer
This unique program is tailored for elite female soccer players taking a gap year or semester before college. Based in Seville, Spain, it combines cultural immersion, academic exploration, and high-level athletic development — no Spanish required.
Participants train and compete weekly with a local top-tier women’s team coached by experienced professionals. It’s the perfect opportunity to grow as a player, experience life abroad, and prepare for college or life with a global mindset.
Program Includes:
- Real Team Experience: Our players join Spanish teams.
- 3 Weekly practices
- Goalkeeping training
- Weekly fitness practices
- Soccer licence to be able to compete in Spanish competition
- Competition matches throughout the duration of the program
- Training and official playing gear
Program requirements:
- High School Graduate or done with Year 13 (UK) / Born in 2007, 2008, or 2009.
- Students must have been playing soccer on their varsity team back at their school or a soccer club before the start of the program.
- Student must send 2-3 videos of student playing and doing some drills to the program manager, Sean Chipres, to seanrc@saiie.com
- Student must have their last head soccer coach complete the Coach form.
Please note: If you have any questions, please contact the Program Manager, Sean Chipres, at seanrc@saiie.com
What type of field will I be training on?
The fields you will be training on are made of artificial turf.
What type of soccer shoes do I need?
You will need soccer shoes suitable for artificial turf grounds.
How long are training sessions?
Trainings will last for about 1hr and 30 min.
When do the training sessions take place?
Trainings will be held in the evenings. Generally practices take place from 8:00pm - 9:30pm
How many training sessions take place per week?
Teams train 3 times per week.
Are the trainings held in Spanish?
Yes. You will be training with Spaniards on a Spanish team with Spanish coaches. This is an important aspect of the cultural immersion part of the program; through the soccer program you will be surrounded in a constant Spanish speaking environment and this will give you a great opportunity to improve your Spanish.
How many American players will there be on a team?
On the womens team they can be a maximum of 5 players.
What age are the players on the team?
Depending of your age you will join the "Juveniles" team which is 16-18 years old or the senior team which most players range between 18 and 23 years old.
Is transportation to trainings included in the total program cost?
No, transportation is not included.
How much money will I spend on transportation to trainings?
Approximately $150 in total for the semester.
How far are the training grounds from your home?
All training grounds are no further than a 30-45 min bus or metro ride or in some cases a 20-40 minute walk.
Will I be able to go see an official professional soccer match?
Yes, we will organize an activity to go watch a professional "La Liga" soccer match throughout the semester.
Will I be able to join the team and play on a weekly base? Yes. Its the Spanish Head Coach desicion but if he agrees it is up to the student to join or not the team.
PHOTO GALLERY
academic programs
University of Seville: Liberal Arts, Business, Spanish Lang. & Culture Program
This program is designed for students from beginner to advanced level of Spanish.
Students will take classes at the University of Seville. Classes are offered in Spanish and English.
Students can choose from a variety of subjects, including:
Please note:
- To participate in the program through the University of Seville students must be 18 years old at the time of participation or before the semester is over.
- Classes are taught from Monday to Thursday, usually on alternating days (Monday-Wednesday or Tuesday-Thursday) and 2 hours per session.
- Classes will be taught at the University of Seville's main building.
At the end of the program the student will receive an official certification from the University of Seville with the courses taken.
SAIIE: Intensive Spanish Language Program
This program takes place at the SAIIE center.
Hours per week: 12hrs
Classes: Monday - Thursday
Language levels: Classes are offered at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels.
Courses: Spanish classes (3 hrs/day)
At the end of the course, the student will receive an official certification from SAIIE acknowledging the hours taken.
academic credit
It is the students responsibility to obtain credit for the courses taken at SAIIE or University of Seville.
program activities
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program dates, costs and deadlines
Fall Program Dates: Mid Sept - Mid Dec., 2026
Spring Program Dates: Beg. Jan. - Mid. May, 2027
Program Cost: 11,995€ (Semester) / 23,495€ (Academic year)
Program costs includes:
- SAIIE full-time fees and support services before, during, and after the program.
- Airport reception and transfer to Spanish home on arrival date
- On site orientation.
- On site bilingual staff on call 24/7 throughout the term.
- Accommodation in a Spanish home with most meals (breakfast and mid-day meals Monday through Friday and evening meals Sunday through Thursday) and one load of laundry per week throughout the program.
- Program excursions and activities (Weekend excursion, as well as, Cordoba, Ronda, and Italica day excursion).
- Welcome and Farewell meals.
- Spanish Language program fees that includes classes from Mo-Thur (16hrs per week) or University of Seville program fees.
- Athletic program fees.
- SAIIE Transcript at the end of the course certifying the Spanish language course taken.
University of Seville will issue an official certification with the courses taken if participating in their program.
Fall /Spring Out-of-Pocket Costs Include:
- U.S. Passport ($135).
- Mandatory CISI health and medical evacuation insurance.
- Spanish Visa for U.S. citizens (estimated at $160).
- Return airfare from the USA to Spain (estimated at $1,200 - $1600).
- Meals not included with accommodation (estimated at 600€ per sesmester).
- Mandatory International Student Identification Card (ISIC) ($25).
- Transportation to practice (estimated at 100€ per semester).
- Personal Expenses (estimated at 1000€ per semester)
- Trips not included (estimated at 700€ per semester) / An optional weekend trip to Morocco will be offered, as well as, a weekend trip to Portugal.
- Optional cocurricular activities (estimated at 500€ per semester).
- Any costs due to possible quarantine requirements due to COVID-19
APPLICATION DEADLINES
| TERM ABROAD | APPLICATION CYCLE OPENS | APPLICATION DEADLINE |
| Spring 2026 | April 1 | October 1 |
| Academic year 2026/27 | September 15 | April 1 |
| Fall 2026 | September 15 | April 1 |
Missed the deadline? Please contact Sean Chipres, Program Manager, to enquire about late application options.
insurance
Students have to get a health and medical evacuation insurance for this program, and we always recommend all of our students CISI
accommodation
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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 Program Manager, Sean Chipres, at seanrc@saiie.com