Is the GAP Year program accredited?

The GAP Year is not yet accredited, however, but both Lancaster Bible College and Clark’s Summit University give credit for the completion of our program. Lancaster Bible College gives up to 30 credits depending on the student’s chosen major and Clark’s Summit University gives 36 credits to every GAP Year graduate. Additionally, students may wish to take College Board’s CLEP Spanish test. CLEP tests are accepted by most universities. Each university decides on the number of credits given to the student based on the student’s score.

Where is the Gap House located? 

Santo Domingo de Heredia is a town in the Central Valley of Costa Rica and only a twenty-minute bus ride away from downtown San Jose. Santo Domingo is considered a suburb of San Jose (the capital of Costa Rica) and hosts a mixture of coffee fields, supermarkets, bakeries, and cafes all within walking distance of our campus.

What does tuition include? Will I need additional money?

Tuition ($12,900) includes lodging and transportation in Costa Rica, Bible and Spanish classes, 2 excursions, 3 meals a day for 7 days a week, trip insurance, and laundry expenses. Tuition does NOT include: airfare, snacks, medical cost, additional excursions, and personal spending money.

What is the size of the GAP Year student body?

We limit the number of each class to around 25 students in order to maintain a close-knit group.

Can I send a Gap student a letter or a package?

We do NOT recommend sending care packages because the student will most likely be taxed in order to receive the package and the postal service may require the student to travel out of town to pick it up. Students can receive letters and cards at:

Name of Student c/o Andy Gordley
Santo Domingo de Heredia
Costa Rica
APT.10-3100

Will my friends and family be able to visit me in Costa Rica?

Twice a year there will be a trip designated for friends and families to come visit their student and experience Costa Rica. These trips are designed for your loved ones to experience where you are living, serving, and learning on a daily basis. More information will be provided about trips upon the students arrival.

Is there wifi available on campus?

Yes, we have wifi available during certain times of the day.

Wifi is limited to specific hours throughout the week to encourage students to engage with one another, with the Costa Rican culture, and with the Word of God. There will be designated hours throughout the week for students to call home and complete homework. For more information on our technology philosophy, please see our handbook.

What does the schedule look like? 

The school year runs from September – May with a Christmas break in December. Our weekly schedule is subject to change depending on local holidays and various activities. Generally, the schedule will look like this:

• Monday: Free day! (Students are free to explore San Jose, go hiking, catch up on rest, etc.)
• Tuesday – Friday:
  • Spanish Class 8:30-11:30 am
  • Lunch 12:00 pm
  • Bible Class 1:00-4:00 pm
  • Dinner 6:00 pm
  • Small Groups (only on Tuesdays) 7:00 pm
• Saturday – Sunday: Weekend ministries and attending your local Spanish church.

 What will the meals look like?

Breakfast is self-serve with several options to choose from, such as: cereal, toast, seasonal fruit, or eggs. Lunches and dinners are a mix of traditional Costa Rican cooking and traditional American, home-cooked meals. All meals are buffet style and there is usually a pot of local coffee brewing.

What do Spanish classes look like?

Spanish classes are taught on our campus by native speakers. The classes are in partnership with Costa Rican Language Academy. Students will be tested and placed in a Spanish level that will allow them to learn at their appropriate pace.

What do Bible classes look like?

Our Bible and Theology classes cover a wide variety of topics, from Bible study methods to different books of the Bible. Our professors rotate on a weekly basis, for more information please visit our Gap Year Class List.

What do the weekend ministries look like?

Students will get to experience the Costa Rican culture every weekend by serving in ministries in various locations throughout the country. They will be divided into groups and will take a 1-2 hour bus ride to serve in ministries that partner with a local church. Our ministry needs vary from year to year, but in the past students have helped out in kids clubs, youth groups, ESL classes, worship groups, and soccer clubs. On Sundays, students will attend a Costa Rican church to help establish relationships in their ministry, practice their Spanish, gain cultural awareness, and fellowship with other believers.

Do you have to be vaccinated to enter Costa Rica?

No, there are no longer any regulations about vaccines or testing.

Do you have to get tested for covid to return to the United States?

No, since May 2022, the U.S. is no longer requiring a negative covid test to return to the United States.