Get creative on your gap year
Creative Semester is a community-centered gap year program for students who want to expand their creativity, explore new ways of making, and develop a meaningful creative practice. Living in a close-knit artistic community, you will pursue an artistic pathway in Film, Acting, Studio Art, Writing, or Photography while engaging in collaborative, place-responsive creative work. Through shared projects and personal inquiry, you will make work shaped by the landscapes, culture, and people of this beautiful region of France.
Find connection through creativity
Each day brings opportunities to explore how creativity grows through shared experience, attentive observation, and meaningful connection to the world around us. Working with simple, accessible tools and materials, you will discover approaches to creativity that are intuitive, flexible, and grounded in presence rather than perfection.
In the mornings, you engage in community-driven creative practice that invites you to notice more closely, experiment freely, and respond to the world around you with openness and curiosity. In the afternoons, you follow a personal artistic pathway, developing ideas, materials, and questions that matter to you, supported by mentorship and the inspiration of your environment.
Through collaboration, reflection, and the textures of daily life in Normandy, you will learn to see creativity not just as something you do, but as a way of thinking, connecting, and moving through the world.
DAILY SCHEDULE
9:30: Group meet up
10:00: Collaborative Creative Projects
12:30: Lunch
2:00: Personal Pathways
4:00: Community Hour
6:00: Dinner
8:00: Evening Activity (Optional)
Wednesday and Saturday: Full-day excursions
Make art make meaning
This journey is about learning how creativity can reshape the way you see, think, and engage with the world. Through shared practice, personal inquiry, and daily encounters with place and community, you will develop a deeper sense of awareness, curiosity, and connection. By the end, you will leave with a clearer creative identity, a renewed sense of purpose, and a body of work that reflects your time in Normandy and the relationships and experiences that shaped it.
Dates and Details
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Program Dates
Sept 20th - Nov 20th, 2026
Cohort Size
Max 22 students.
Pathways
Acting, Film, Photography, Studio Art (Includes Painting, Drawing, Ceramics)
Cost
$17,800 USD
What is included: accommodation, excursions, instruction, basic food stocks for breakfast and lunch, dinner 5 nights per week cooked by our in-house chef.
Not included: Airfare to Paris, France, train to our location in Cherbourg, meals out on trips, supplies for your personal creative projects.
Eligibility
Ages 17-22 of all levels of experience
Language Requirements
None. All our instruction is in English.
College Credit and Scholarship
College credit is available for this program. Scholarships are available for this program.
How the Program Works
Each student chooses an Artistic Pathway from:
• Film
• Acting
• Studio Art (Includes Painting, Drawing, Ceramics)
• Writing
• Photography
Your pathway gives you a creative anchor throughout the program: a place to deepen your interests, focus your ideas, and develop work that reflects your voice. In afternoon practice sessions, you will explore projects connected to your pathway with support from resident mentors and the inspiration that comes from living and creating alongside others.
Pathways provide structure without limiting your curiosity, allowing your work to grow through experimentation, reflection, and collaboration. This structure mirrors the expectations of college-level creative programs, which emphasize idea development, process, research, and conceptual depth.
Program Highlights
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Make Art in Nature: Take your sketchbook on excursions through Normandy’s natural beauty, capturing the essence of the changing landscapes, from rolling hills to dramatic cliffs.
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Hike Coastal Wonders: Trek the stunning Nez du Jobourg, one of Europe’s best coastal hiking spots, taking in panoramic views of cliffs and the sea.
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Explore Historic Mont Saint-Michel: Visit the iconic UNESCO World Heritage site and dive into the rich history of this architectural marvel, perched dramatically on a rocky island.
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Discover Tatihou Island: Escape to this serene bird sanctuary, where lush gardens and calming sea views offer the perfect retreat for creativity and contemplation.
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Traditional Breadmaking at a 16th-Century Windmill: Learn the ancient craft of breadmaking at a historic windmill, baking your own bread in a traditional wood-fired oven.
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Visit the Bayeux Tapestry: Explore the famous Bayeux Tapestry, a masterpiece of medieval art, and uncover the stories of Normandy’s past.
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D-Day Landing Beaches: Reflect on the courage and resilience of those who shaped history during a visit to the historic D-Day beaches.
Rouen Trip
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Creative Semester includes a 7-day trip to Rouen, the arts and culture capital of Normandy and candidate for European City of the Year. Explore its Gothic architecture, vibrant art scene, bustling markets, and world-class cuisine in a city rich with history and creative energy.
Rouen Itinerary Highlights:
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Visit the awe-inspiring Rouen Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece that inspired Monet’s iconic series of paintings
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Explore the hauntingly beautiful Aître Saint-Maclou, a medieval ossuary turned cultural hub
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Enjoy panoramic views of Rouen’s historic skyline from Saint Catherine's Hill
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Walk in the footsteps of history at the Joan of Arc and uncover the story of her remarkable life and legacy
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Wander the serene ruins of Jumièges Abbey, one of Normandy’s most significant medieval sites
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Stroll through the picturesque harbor town of Honfleur, known for its colorful facades and artistic heritage
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Take in the natural wonder of Étretat’s breathtaking chalk cliffs and arches, celebrated by countless artists
Program Pillars
Creativity
Creativity is essential to a fulfilling life, not just in art but as a way of thinking and self-expression. We value creativity in all forms—journaling, cooking, painting, and craft—and draw inspiration from artists and thinkers to inspire personal discovery.
Community
We value community for its role in personal growth and collective well-being, fostering meaningful connections through shared experiences. By caring for ourselves, each other, and the environment, we create a supportive space for learning and growth.
Contemplation
We encourage quiet reflection through time in nature, poetry, and contemplative practices like yoga and meditation. These practices nurture presence, self-awareness, and inner peace, helping us connect more deeply with ourselves and the world around us.
Culture
We believe culture enriches our lives and shapes our understanding. In Normandy, we explore how food, art, and conversation create joy and connection, drawing inspiration from poets, artists, and thinkers to live with passion and purpose.
Who is this program for?
This program is for any gap year student interested in expanding their creativity, exploring French culture, and living in community with a cohort of like-minded peers. We welcome all students — no prior experience in the arts or French language is required.
Consider Creative Semester if you would like to:
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Think like an artist and understand the value of creativity and its broader applications to living a more intentional, inspired life.
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Build on your creative skills and take them to new places learning to push past what’s comfortable into what’s possible.
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Collaborate and generate ideas together, learning through shared experimentation and discovery.
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Build meaningful things with others collaborative projects, stories, and experiences that reflect connection and purpose.
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Ask big questions and explore how art and creativity can illuminate fresh perspectives and build meaningful connections.
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Practice creative living in community, embracing collaboration, shared meals, and collective reflection as part of the artistic process and personal growth.
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Discover your values and sense of purpose, using creativity as a pathway to self-understanding, mindfulness, and meaningful connection with others.
What our students say
