Vision: Vocational Discovery in a Global Community

Mission: We prepare college-bound high school graduates for success in higher education through domestic and international learning adventures that help them clarify their faith, discover their passions, focus their career goals, in a global context.

Values:

Discovery. We believe that students discover themselves by exploring and interacting with the world outside of what is familiar.

Faith. We believe God has uniquely designed each individual to accomplish something beautiful in this broken world.

Community. We believe God intends for students to grow personally and spiritually by living in the tension of 'life together'.

Authenticity. We value transparency and honesty as important qualities in moving from adolescence into adulthood.

Vocation. We believe that a healthy understanding of a students faith, God given abilities, and understanding of the world around them can help students find their future profession in life.

Global Worldview. We believe that exposure to people groups across cultural and socio-economic backgrounds leads to dynamic transformation.

Students will leave the KIVU Gap Year with college credit, a deeper faith, a more comprehensive worldview and a vision for what they want to do in life.  By connecting vocational opportunities with appropriate choices of college majors in real-world environments both in the United States and abroad, students enter college with a broad understanding of their opportunities, a deep understanding of themselves and clear goals for the future.

Writing a Life Thesis. Every student in the Gap Year Program will write a thesis paper for their future career aspirations to be revised, edited, and amended throughout the program.  Before leaving the program, the student will have a fully developed life thesis that speaks into the purpose, focus of study, and vision for their life in the next 5-10 years.  It is the culmination and final product of their overall comprehensive experience in our program.