Exceptional Gap Semester Experiences
Ages 18–22
Open to all genders — no football-playing experience required, just an interest in sport, coaching, sports marketing or media
Ireland with an optional extended tour of Scotland
14th February 2027 & 26th September 2027
Group size: Maximum 14 students per intake
Independence: Treated like an adult with plenty of free time to explore and travel
Support: Staff available 24/7 for guidance and safety
Accommodation: Town-centre apartment in Portrush, hostel accommodation for Scotland travel
Develop personal and professionals skills including sports marketing, branding, coaching, communication, photography, video editing, teamwork and working independently
Spend eight weeks based in Portrush on the North Coast of Ireland on a gap year programme combining sports marketing, branding, coaching and teaching — all built around American football.
You’ll learn the principles of sports marketing and branding through hands-on photography, video and social media content projects, and take part in a supervised school outreach programme teaching American football to local kids in Portrush and the surrounding area.
Complete the full American Football programme while living and travelling in Ireland.
Do everything in the 8-week programme, then join us for three more weeks travelling through Scotland.
More than 90% of our students choose to stay for Scotland.
Same first eight weeks. You simply decide whether you want to add Scotland.
You’ll also explore how photography, video and social media can introduce American Football to a new audience.
You’ll learn:
You’ll use your phone, cameras and GoPros as part of your project, developing ideas and creating content around American Football.
If you already love American Football — or sport in general — this is a chance to experience the game from a completely different side.
You’ll spend 4–5 days each week on your educational programme, combining coaching, school outreach, sports media and time learning from people involved in the game locally.
You’ll:
American Football is still new to many young people here, which makes introducing them to the game great fun.
As part of our educational school outreach project, you’ll take part in supervised sessions in local schools.
You’ll:
Some students might watch the NFL every week. Others might never have held a football before.
Spend eight weeks based in Portrush on the North Coast of Ireland on a gap year programme combining sports marketing, branding, coaching, social media, photography, filmmaking, travel and independent living.
You’ll learn new skills through two educational projects while getting out and exploring Ireland rather than spending your gap semester sitting in a classroom.
During your eight weeks in Ireland, you’ll get four nights to plan your own trip somewhere in Europe with friends.
You could choose Amsterdam, Paris, London, Lisbon, Barcelona, Berlin — or somewhere completely different.
You’ll:
Choose the 11-week option and you’ll join us for another three weeks travelling through Scotland, taking your gap year from Ireland to Glasgow, Kelburn Castle, the Scottish Highlands and Edinburgh.
More than 90% of our students choose to stay for Scotland.
Our first stop is Glasgow, where you'll stay in a city-centre hostel, sharing the space with young travellers from around the world. Enjoy live music, museum, parks and highland cows!
Yes, you will actually sleep in a castle, the home of Lord Glasgow and his family. A rare once in a lifetime opportunity.
You'll stay in a city-centre hostel, with a mix of things we do together and plenty of freedom to enjoy the city with friends from the programme and young travellers you meet along the way.
We head into the mountains and explore the Scottish Highlands, meet a free-ranging herd of reindeer and have time to slow down and enjoy being somewhere completely different
● 14 February 2027
● 26 September 2027
Choose the American Football Program — live abroad, build real skills in sports marketing, branding, coaching and teaching, gain a coaching qualification, and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime gap year experience.