Gap Year in Montreal

Montreal isn't the only Canadian destination we offer. Vancouver is in our catalogue too. So why pick the city in Quebec?

First of all, because Montreal has something genuinely unique: it's the only destination in the country where you can learn not one, but two languages. You can choose to learn French in Montreal or learn English in Montreal, thanks to the genuinely bilingual nature of the city itself. Few gap year destinations in Canada give you that double benefit.

Choose Montreal for your sabbatical for its architecture as well, typically French in style, blended with Canadian charm in a mix you simply won't find anywhere else. From the Opéra de Montréal to the cultural neighbourhood of Plateau Mont-Royal, every corner here looks like it was painted by an artist. Not to mention the energy of the city: chances are you'll end up at one of the countless music festivals that take place all year round.

Another good reason to pick Montreal as your study abroad destination is the distance from home. Sometimes you need to push yourself, to go beyond what you thought your limits were. Take the leap, cross the ocean, and find out just how independent you really are. We're always there with you, ready to give you the advice and support you need to see your journey through. And that journey can last as long as you want. If you discover you can handle it, you can stay even longer than originally planned.

Our gap year in Montreal package is fully customisable and includes everything you need: accommodation, full board and language course are part of the deal by default. Although we call it a year abroad, the duration is flexible and adapts to your needs and availability: 3 months, 6 months or 12 months to learn the language and get to know the local culture from up close.

During your stay, you'll attend our language school in Montreal, located just a few steps from the city centre. Plenty of famous attractions are right nearby, the Museum of Fine Arts and Mont Royal among them. The main shopping streets are also within walking distance. Our school has eight classrooms, a kitchen with fridge and microwave, and a library with free internet access.

You can choose between two course types depending on the intensity you're looking for: standard or intensive. That means:

• Standard course: 4 lessons per day (45 minutes each)
• Intensive course: 6 lessons per day

Lessons take place in the morning, Monday to Friday. Afternoons are reserved for extra-curricular activities and your own free time, which you can spend exploring the city however you like.

Before you arrive, you'll take a language test so we can identify your current level and place you in the study group that suits you best. We're usually pretty accurate, but if you find the level too high or too low, just let us know. Our groups are always small, which means teachers can give every student the attention they deserve.

At the end of your course, you'll receive a final certificate of attendance, which confirms your level and the skills you've gained both in and outside the classroom.

Where you live during your year abroad in Montreal really matters. That place will be your home for a long time, and it's essential that you feel completely comfortable there. Since everyone is different and has different needs to feel at home, we let our students choose between several accommodation options: host family, student residence or shared apartment.

Staying with a local family is without doubt the most authentic option, the one that lets you live like a real local. You'll get a window into the home and daily life of a Canadian family, discovering local habits up close and noticing how some customs differ completely from what you're used to. Living in a local home also means constantly practising the language: improving becomes inevitable, and the process feels surprisingly natural. On top of that, you'll have the chance to come into contact with two languages at once in everyday life, through spontaneous conversations and shared moments.

Student residences offer you more independence, a first taste of "grown-up" life, without a family taking care of things. You'll still get plenty of language practice here, sharing spaces with your fellow students. Residences usually include common areas and shared services, so things like cleaning won't be on your plate.

Finally, there's the shared apartment, a great option if you want to take charge of your own daily routine. The benefits here are real too: living with flatmates, whether local or international, lets you build a freer routine and dive fully into city life by handling everyday practicalities yourself.

When it comes to location, all our accommodation options are conveniently positioned both for reaching the city centre and the main attractions, and for getting to the SPRACHCAFFE school. Depending on where you stay, you'll be able to walk or use public transport, which in Montreal is famously efficient.

We call it a year abroad, but the duration is actually flexible and customisable. It depends on you, on your study needs, on your availability, and also on how long you're willing to stay across the ocean.

The programme can last:

• 3 months: the shortest path, but no less effective. In fact, it can be incredibly intense, especially if you pair it (as we recommend) with an intensive course.
• 6 months: the perfect compromise for those who don't quite feel ready to stay longer in such a faraway place.
• 12 months: the most complete option, a full year abroad in Montreal to live like a local and discover the real life of Canadians.

We usually allow you to change the duration of your experience along the way. So if you set out planning to stay for one semester in Montreal and then realise you'd love to stay longer, you have that option.

Our gap year programme in Canada is open to anyone who meets a few essential requirements, which we've put in place to ensure a genuinely useful, high-quality experience. The programme is generally open to those aged 18 or over, the minimum age that ensures the level of independence and adaptability needed for an international setting far from home.

You don't need to arrive with an advanced level of the language. That's exactly why you're coming to study abroad in Montreal in the first place. Still, to make your initial settling-in easier, we recommend setting off once you've consolidated a basic foundation, around A1 to A2 level. Our programmes are designed to support you in progressively improving your language skills, regardless of where you're starting from.

When it comes to bureaucracy, things are a little more complex because Canada is outside the EU. For longer stays, a study permit may be required, to be applied for before departure through the Canadian authorities. We always recommend checking the latest visa and entry requirements on the official Canadian government website before booking.

You'll also need a valid passport for the entire duration of your stay and, in many cases, an electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) to enter the country. Another essential requirement is health coverage: the Canadian healthcare system isn't free for international students, so taking out insurance that covers your full stay is mandatory.

From an administrative point of view, you may be asked to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources to support your stay (programme cost, accommodation, daily expenses), along with any documents related to your enrolment in the chosen course or programme. Once in Montreal, it's also crucial to always respect the conditions of your visa and, if applicable, complete any local procedures required by the authorities. We strongly recommend preparing all the necessary documentation well in advance, so you're not caught short if any additional requests come up.

To sum it all up, a year abroad in Montreal with SPRACHCAFFE includes:

• English or French course, standard or intensive
• Initial language assessment test
• Final language certificate
• Accommodation (multiple options to choose from)
• Full board
• Course materials
• Programme of extra-curricular activities

Our study trip experiences are completely customisable. You decide on several factors: the duration of your stay, the type of course (length, intensity, language), the type of accommodation you prefer and the services included in the package. And if you'd like to add any extra services on top, just let us know and we'll include them as a supplement.

The departure date is another factor that affects the final cost, just like how far in advance you book your spot.

To get an accurate, realistic estimate of the price of your gap year, we invite you to fill in the registration form with all the necessary details. That way, we can send you a specific, detailed quote for your trip, including every service.

If you're thinking about an experience abroad that goes beyond a simple trip, by now you've probably realised it: SPRACHCAFFE has the right answer for you. And this is exactly the right moment to go. Don't overthink it and, for once, put yourself first. A year in Montreal isn't just about studying. It's a real shift in the way you live, communicate and connect with the world. It's the kind of experience that pushes you at first but, within a few weeks, becomes a new normal made up of independence, fresh routines and a language you genuinely start using every day. A real investment you make in yourself, with the goal of coming back with new perspectives and skills.

With SPRACHCAFFE, you'll take on this journey with a solid structure behind you: an organised programme, our support 100% of the time, and an environment where you'll never truly be "alone", but always part of a familiar community.

Signing up is the first step. Everything else follows from there. New people, new routines, new perspectives. Montreal is a city that welcomes you and challenges you at the same time, the perfect place for those who want to discover the world and themselves. Sign up today and study abroad in Montreal with SPRACHCAFFE.