Spend Your Gap Year in the Pacific Northwest
Done with high school but not ready or willing to commit yourself to a major or a university? Or do you just want a break from whatever you're currently doing? Come to Green River for a year — a Gap Year/Free Mover — and experience American culture, take enjoyable classes, travel, make friends from all over the world; learn while having fun at the same time.
Seattle = culture, nature, and opportunity. Home to music legends (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Jimi Hendrix, Soundgarden) and tech giants (Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, Starbucks), the city’s creative energy and fast-moving career scene make studying nearby exciting and inspiring.
Green River College — 45 minutes from downtown Seattle in peaceful Auburn — sits among trees and trails, a calm campus where you can focus and recharge. Weekends are full of options: indie films and art shows, symphonies, opera, ballet, theater, Seahawks or Sounders games, global cuisine, music festivals, and outdoor adventures like hiking, biking, boating, and skiing.
Thinking about a gap year? Smart move. Students who take a gap year often start college more focused and motivated. You’ll get time to reflect, clarify goals, avoid burnout, and reduce the chance of switching majors later — which can save time and money in the long run.
Why Green River works for you:
- Mix language and academic courses that actually connect to real life
- Flexible study-abroad options: 3, 6, or 9 months
- Clear transfer pathways to top universities for your BA
- Achieve true language fluency — beyond textbooks
- Meet and network with students from 60+ countries
Admission Requirements
- Completed application
- Financial statement
- Secondary school graduate or 17+ years of age
- English proficiency is required for direct placement into the academic program.
