Wow! Minds blown at our final showcase tonight. Big parent turnout for this very special crew of creative gap year students. Hard to fit all of the friendship and community in a 90-second reel, but here she goes! Shout out to the whole Berridge staff for shepherding the shenanigans. Impossible without y’alls.
When all you’ve ever known is strict schedules and deadlines, learning to slow down can feel impossible. 🌱
Programs like @berridgeprograms , @rootedlifeadventures , and @irishgapyear give you the space to learn how, by getting in touch with new culture, creativity, nature, and community. 🤍
Whether you're dreaming of life in an 18th-century chateau in France, embarking on supported adventures in New Zealand and Australia, or immersing yourself in Ireland and Europe, these programs offer the perfect opportunity to combine self-discovery, skill-building, and meaningful connections.
Want to learn more about these programs? Join us for our final Gap Year 101 with @j2guides tonight!
This is our last event of the season AND your last chance to qualify for the $5,000 USA Gap Year Fairs Scholarship by attending a Gap Year 101 session! 🤑
When: TONIGHT, March 18th at 7 pm ET! 📆
Don’t miss it! Link in bio. 👈
#gapyear #selfdiscovery #experientiallearning #mentalhealth #gooverseas #gapyeartravel
Creative Pathways 2026 is underway! Throwing pots, scoring films and writing raps, these students are doing it all! So proud to be spending the next 8 weeks with this amazing group of talented young artists. #creativesemester #gapyear #arts #berridge
We love days on the Normandy coast ✨ From sketching rolling hills and dramatic cliffs to hiking the stunning Nez du Jobourg cliffs above the sea and wandering the peaceful gardens of Tatihou Island, Normandy’s coastal beauty is the perfect backdrop for our creative community.
At the château during our Cooking and Culture program, you’ll cook and dine the French way, preparing and sharing a three-course meal each evening. And beyond the chateau walls, even more culinary adventures await—visiting lively markets and artisanal food shops, meeting local producers, enjoying everything from cozy bistros to a Michelin-starred lunch, and gaining insight into the pride and passion that shape French gastronomy.
Some moments from our favorite art museums across Paris, Normandy, and Rouen. We love blending our observations of notable French artists with our own creative practice, whether we’re exploring film, music, studio art, ceramics, and more.
Beautiful Normandy, we’re so lucky to have this stunning natural landscape as our classroom. Here are a few moments from our plein air painting sessions around the peninsula.
A few moments from our Paris trip ✨ Our creative gap year programs include a visit to France’s capital, where we explore one of the world’s most influential cities for art and culture. Seeing Paris through an artistic lens always inspires the work we create back at the château!
Life in Normandy revolves around the changing seasons—the produce, the crops, the weather, and of course, the animals! We love visiting the local goat farm in the spring, meeting the baby goats (and plenty of other animal friends,) and sampling fresh goat cheese and milk. We’re already looking forward to our spring Creative Pathways and all the seasonal changes it brings to our community.
One of our favorite Cooking and Culture adventures: baking bread inside an 18th-century windmill. 🥖🥐 Beyond hands-on cooking classes, students explore the peninsula, meet local artisans, visit farms and markets, and learn exactly where their French ingredients come from.
Applications are open for summer 2026 - visit the link in our profile to apply!
We're excited to announce that applications for Cooking and Culture Summer 2026 are NOW OPEN!
Spend a summer cooking in Normandy. Through hands-on classes, food adventures and cultural excursions, you’ll discover the traditions that make France the heart of world cuisine.
Program Dates ⤵️
Session 1: June 24th - July 11th, 2026
Session 2: July 26th - August 12th, 2026
Visit the link in our profile to apply. See you in France!
