FAQ’s

Will the students be safe at each given destination?

We do not take students into conflict zones.  All of our contacts are based on destinations in which we have already taken larger groups of students on short term mission trips.  In 2009, we took 30 students to Rwanda.  In 2010, we took a group of 60 to the Philippines.  Gap Year students will be working with the same partnerships and in similar areas where we have already visited.

Will the students be free to travel home for holidays?

Yes.  Students will be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  However, there is no 'spring break' during the months between January and April.

What is the actual day to day schedule?

A typical week will consist in working at internships Monday through Friday, 8-5pm.  While in Denver, students will be in class settings on Mondays and Fridays as well.  Evenings will consist of community dinners cooked by the students themselves under the supervision of full time Gap Year Staff.  Some evenings will be for processing experiences and engaging in group bible study.  Other evenings students will be free to rest and relax.

What will students do on weekends?

In Denver, students will have open schedules.  They will not have Gap Year obligations or responsibilities.  However, they will have expectations and guidelines for how and where they choose to spend this time.  In Rwanda, students will take field trips for most of their weekends in which they will be engaged in a more comprehensive exposure to the country and people.  In the Philippines, students will have a combination of both.

Can parents go on any part of the trip?

We encourage parents not to visit their children while going through the program.  A strong part of the experience is that students learn to grow personally outside of the comforts and guidance of what is familiar.  In addition, visits can cause students to struggle with the challenge of living away from home and in an unfamiliar culture.  We believe it is an important part of the program for students to wrestle with this tension and discomfort.

Can college students participate in the program?

At this point, we are focusing the program on students who have not yet entered the university.

Can students work while in the program?

No.  It would be very difficult to maintain part time employment while in the program as students are already involved in internships which commit them to 30-40 hours per week.  Evenings are dedicated to fellowship, cultural experiences out in the community, as well as discussion and bible study groups.  Students are encouraged to find work before their Gap Year experience as well as in the summer after the program.  The only option within the program is to stay home and work between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Can students raise funds for this program?

We encourage students to pursue support raising to assist in the financing of the program.  We also believe this process helps students gain a better appreciation and understanding for the opportunity they are preparing to embark on.  Please contact us directly for assistance in the support raising process as donations will be tax deductible for all donors.

Will students be able to choose their internships?

Yes.  Students will be given a wide variety of options from which to choose.  Most of these decisions will be made upon arrival at their destination and given proper orientation.  This process ensures that students make well educated and informed decisions as to where they apply themselves.

Who will be supervising and staffing the oversight of this program?

KIVU is hiring 2 Gap Year staff (one male/one female) to travel with and oversee the community of 15 students.  They will be creating and managing community in the homes as well as leading bible studies and personally mentoring the students as they go through the program.  While these staff have not yet been hired, we are only going to select staff who have a sustained history of excellence in working with us at KIVU.

In addition, KIVU Full time staff will be in constant weekly communication with the Gap Year staff.  KIVU Full time staff, primarily Luke and Andy, will also be visiting each site to stay and encourage the team and ensure that the program, partnership, and internships are well in place.  We also have local partnership staff working with us on a day to day basis to help bridge the cultural divide.  They are devoting 20+ hours of their time per week to be with our team.