About Année lumière
Our programmes combine experiential learning, personal development, career exploration and community life, giving young people time and space to learn, grow and take an active role in shaping their own path.
Career guidance as a lifelong skill
Choosing what comes next is not simply about deciding on a course of study or a career. At Année lumière, we see guidance as a lifelong skill: the ability to understand yourself, explore possibilities, make informed decisions and adapt those decisions as your life and circumstances evolve.
Our programmes give young people the opportunity to step back, gain experience and build greater confidence in their choices. They are encouraged to discover what matters to them, open themselves to others and to the world, and gradually take ownership of their future.
We welcome young people from a wide range of educational, social and personal backgrounds. What matters most is their willingness to engage in the experience, explore and contribute to the learning community.
Our educational approach
Our approach places experience at the heart of learning. Young people learn not only through workshops and reflection, but also by doing, meeting others, working on projects and exploring the world around them. These four principles reflect the educational model described in Année lumière’s programme framework.
Diversity as a learning resource
Differences in age, gender, social background, culture, life experience and geographical origin enrich the learning experience. Meeting people with different perspectives helps participants question assumptions, broaden their horizons and grow.
Experiential learning
Concrete experiences provide a starting point for reflection, learning and action. Participants are encouraged to experiment, question, try, adjust and learn from what they experience.
Holistic development
We consider each participant as a whole person. Learning therefore involves intellectual development as well as emotional,
Individual support within a learning community
Each young person receives personalised guidance while also learning as part of a group. The community provides opportunities to share experiences, learn from others and develop together.
What we believe in
Our educational approach is also shaped by five values that guide the way we work with young people and with one another.
Supportive challenge
We create a safe and supportive environment while encouraging each person to go further. Trust and respect make it possible to step outside one’s comfort zone, face challenges and learn from mistakes.
Cooperation
We believe in doing things together. Young people, staff and partners contribute to a shared learning experience, where everyone can move forward with the support and strength of the group.
Alignment
We encourage each person to seek greater coherence between their values, words and actions. This means learning to make choices, take responsibility for them and see mistakes as part of the learning process.
Optimism
We cultivate confidence in oneself, in others and in the future. By recognising their strengths and developing new skills, young people become better equipped to build and pursue their own projects.
Diversity
We recognise and value diversity, both visible and invisible, as an essential source of learning. Understanding our differences helps us learn from one another and grow together.
Our programmes
Gap Year Programmes in French
Our 3- to 9-month programmes, taught in French, give young people the opportunity to explore their future, develop personal and interpersonal skills, and gain first-hand experience of the professional world.
International Gap Year
Our 9-month International Gap Year combines one academic term in Lyon during three months with one semester at a partner Folk High School in Denmark. The programme offers an immersive international experience, bringing together personal development, career exploration, intercultural learning and community life.
Whatever the format, the programmes share the same educational philosophy and core approach.
Learning through real-life experiences
Learning at Année lumière extends well beyond the classroom.
Throughout their programme, participants take part in workshops, collective projects and practical experiences designed to help them discover new interests, develop skills and better understand the world around them.
They explore areas including culture, science and technology, health and wellbeing, citizenship and sustainable development.
They also gain first-hand experience of the professional world through projects, internships, volunteering, student employment or civic service. These experiences give them opportunities to discover different sectors and organisations, work alongside professionals and develop practical and interpersonal skills.
The aim is not simply to learn about possible futures, but to experience, reflect and learn from them.
An international outlook
Année lumière’s educational model is inspired in part by the Danish Folk High School tradition, which places personal development, community life, openness to the world and learning for life at the heart of education.
Since 2018, Année lumière has developed close relationships with Danish Folk High Schools through regular exchanges. In 2021, Année lumière became the first institution in France to receive the Højskole label.
International experiences are now an integral part of our educational approach. Participants have opportunities to meet and learn alongside young people from other countries, experience different cultures and use English in real-life situations.
Our International Gap Year takes this further by combining time in France with a semester at a partner Folk High School in Denmark.
Discover Année lumière
Want to learn more about our approach and programmes?
Interested in partnering with us ?
We’re looking to build new partnerships with educational institutions and campuses across Europe and beyond. We’re particularly interested in fostering connections through student mobility, intercultural learning, educational exchanges, and shared experiences that bring young people from different countries together.
Contact Claire BLETON-MARTIN : claire.bleton-martin@annee-lumiere.org
