The Gap Year Program
The Atlas GAP Year is a ministry of Atlas Travel and Study Abroad operating in partnership with MissionGo. This Christian Gap Year is a two-semester program in Costa Rica that is designed to equip young adults to love and serve the Lord through Christ-centered Bible classes, hands-on ministry experience, language training, and cross-cultural immersion. This opportunity is for high-school graduates, ages 17-22.
We are currently accepting applications for the September 2027 – April 2028 school year.
Cost for the entire program is $18,900 USD (airfare not included).
Spanish Classes
Bible Classes
Weekend Ministry
College Credit
Lancaster Bible College is partner with Atlas and awards up to 33 credits to GAP year graduates, also offering a financial scholarship for completion of the program.
Atlas graduates can receive 24 transferable credits through our partnership with Anchor Christian University and Eleven:6.¹ These credits are specifically designed to transfer to Liberty University, Cairn University, Cedarville University², Southeastern University, Moody Bible Institute, and South Florida Bible College. Boost your credits further by taking a Spanish CLEP test, typically granting 6-12 additional credits at many universities. (These cannot be added to Lancaster Bible College Credits)
This means students targeting these partner institutions can potentially earn up to 36 credits – a full year of college. Some colleges may offer credit specifically for Spanish-language proficiency developed during the program, even if they don’t accept credit for the entire year.
¹ If the student is interested in going to these schools, the 24 credits cost an additional $150/credit ($3600) to go to any of the schools, excluding Lancaster Bible College.
² Students may receive up to 24 credits, depending on their major.
Gap 2026-2027 Calendar
Sept 9, 2027 – Students arrive in Costa Rica for first semester
Dec 11, 2027 – Students travel back to USA for Christmas break
Jan 8, 2028 – Students arrive in Costa Rica for second semester
Apr 8, 2028 – Students leave for home
student's reviews
"The Atlas GAP Program is a vehicle for transformation. A vehicle staffed by godly people who raise up Christ-seeking young men and women in the ways they should go. The classes are biblically sound and phenomenal. Spanish lessons weaken the barriers between students and their Tico brothers and sisters. Weekend Missions give students a chance to put all that class learning into practice. And the growth in my class has been incredible to see. I have acquired much-beloved brothers and sisters, played a hand in giving hope to refugees, and fallen in love with a land I never before knew. As the second semester begins, I am without doubt that greater things are to come."
"My time at Gap has helped me grow in many ways. I’ve learned to love others better and grow with Godly people who reflect Christ’s love. Surrounding myself with passionate believers has strengthened my faith. God has blessed me with the opportunity to learn more about Him and experience the love and kindness in the culture here, especially within the my ministry Church here. This program has allowed God to work on my heart issues, and I am truly grateful!"
“Living among a solid community of believers that want to honor the Lord has been a blessing to me...I am so grateful that God lead me to this program and have no doubt that I have grown through this experience.”it’s interesting to reflect back on the GAP Year program and know where I was in September and to see where I am now. And while I’m still figuring out who I am, my identity in Christ has become stronger. It’s all thanks to Atlas providing the opportunity to learn and grow."
"If I were to use one word that described GAP as a whole I would pick 'community.' My GAP community is one of love, growth, challenge, vulnerability, relationship, and fun. It’s hard to imagine life without them. Before I decided to come here, I was in a very lonely spot. There were people surrounding me, but I just felt alone. My faith felt stagnant, and as a result, my desire for the Word waned. Because of this program, I am a different person than I was when I came here. I was lonely and now I have life-long friends who encourage and sharpen me in my faith."
"I chose to come to GAP because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and learn more about God. I was looking for a Christ-centered program where I could learn Spanish and be immersed in a different culture while simultaneously learning about the Bible. God has blessed me so much through this program and its amazing teachers, leaders, interns, staff, and students. He is faithful to answer prayers! I have grown so much in my understanding of the gospel of Jesus! I thank God for all the beautiful friendships and important topics we get to study. This program has truly changed my life.”
"Leading up to moving to Costa Rica for my gap year, I knew God but yearned for a deeper understanding of His word. My hope was that I could solidify my beliefs and the reasons behind them. So going into my gap year in Costa Rica, my main thing was wanting to understand the Bible better and feel confident in my faith before heading to college. Atlas Travel and Study Abroad totally delivered and then some! Because of Atlas, I got to learn how to study scripture myself, be part of a really tight community where we learned to care for each other, and even got pushed outside my comfort zone in ministry. Now have a foundation to stand on and continue to grow from as I enter the next season."
Tour the GAP Property
Christian Gap Year FAQs
The Atlas Gap Year is open to high school graduates ages 17–22. You don't need to be enrolled in college — many students join right after graduating high school and before starting their freshman year.
Yes, the Atlas GAP Year welcomes students from Canada and other countries, not just the United States. Tuition is listed in USD, and while our college credit partnerships are with US institutions, Canadian and international students are welcome to apply and can check with their home college or university about transfer credit options.
No prior Spanish experience is required. All Gap Year students are tested upon arrival and placed in a Spanish class suited to their level, so beginners and experienced speakers alike can learn at their own pace.
Tuition for the Atlas Christian Gap Year program is $18,900 USD and includes lodging and transportation in Costa Rica, Bible and Spanish classes, several excursions, 3 meals a day for 7 days a week, trip insurance, and laundry expenses. Tuition does NOT include airfare, snacks, medical costs, additional excursions, or personal spending money. Students who want the 24 transferable college credits (for schools other than Lancaster Bible College) should also budget an additional $150/credit, or $3,600 total, for that credit package.
The Atlas GAP Year is not yet accredited, however Lancaster Bible College gives credit for completion of our program — up to 36 credits, depending on the student's chosen major, to every GAP Year graduate at no additional cost. Students can also earn 24 transferable credits through our partnership with Anchor Christian University and Eleven:6, designed to transfer to schools like Liberty University, Cairn University, Cedarville University, Southeastern University, Moody Bible Institute, and South Florida Bible College — these credits cost an additional $150/credit ($3,600 total) for students attending any of those schools other than Lancaster Bible College. Students may also wish to take College Board's CLEP Spanish test; most universities accept CLEP tests, and each university decides the number of credits granted based on the student's score.
The Atlas Gap House is located in Santo Domingo de Heredia, a town in the Central Valley of Costa Rica, just a twenty-minute bus ride from downtown San José (the capital of Costa Rica). Santo Domingo is a suburb of San José and hosts a mixture of coffee fields, supermarkets, bakeries, and cafés all within walking distance of our campus.
Costa Rica is one of the most stable countries in Central America, and the Gap House is in Santo Domingo de Heredia, a quiet suburb of San José. Insurance is included in tuition, and Atlas staff support students throughout the program.
The Gap Year class has around 15-20 students each year to maintain a close-knit Christian community.
The Gap Year program runs from September to May with a Christmas break in December. Our weekly schedule is subject to change depending on local holidays and various activities, but generally looks like this:
Monday: Free day! Students are free to explore San José, go hiking, catch up on rest, and more.
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 (Tuesdays only) 7:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday: Weekend ministries and attending a local Spanish-speaking church.
Native Spanish speakers teach our interactive Spanish classes on campus. Students are tested and placed in a Spanish level suited to their pace, so every high school graduate — from beginner to advanced — can grow in the language throughout the program.
Our Bible and Theology classes cover a wide variety of topics, from Bible study methods to different books of the Bible, taught by rotating professors on a weekly basis. Visit our Gap Year Class List for more detail on what students study.
Every weekend, Gap Year students experience Costa Rican culture firsthand by serving in ministries throughout the country, to serve alongside a local church. Ministry needs vary from year to year, but past students have served in kids' clubs, youth groups, ESL classes, worship teams, and soccer clubs. On Sundays, students attend a Costa Rican church to build relationships, practice Spanish, gain cultural awareness, and fellowship with other believers.
Breakfast is self-serve with options like cereal, toast, seasonal fruit, or eggs. Lunch and dinner mix traditional Costa Rican cooking with home-cooked American meals, served buffet style — usually alongside a fresh pot of local Costa Rican coffee.
Yes, wifi is available during certain designated hours. We limit wifi access to encourage students to engage with one another, with Costa Rican culture, and with the Word of God, while still setting aside time each week to call home and complete homework. See our handbook for more on our technology philosophy.
Yes. Twice a year, we schedule dedicated visiting trips for friends and family to come experience Costa Rica and see where their student is living, serving, and learning. More details are provided after a student's arrival.
We do not recommend care packages, since students are often taxed to receive them and may need to travel to pick them up. Letters and cards can be sent to:
Name of Student c/o Andy Gordley, Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica, APT.10-3100
No — there are currently no vaccine or testing requirements to enter Costa Rica.