GU offers 'gap semester' experience in Dominican Republic
Published: May 20, 2024
Author: Dave Bell
“Being in the Dominican Republic has changed me.”
That’s how Kyle Sunderland describes the impact of his previous visits to the Caribbean Island nation. And now, he’s going back – this time as director of a new gap semester program for high school graduates that will offer them the same transformative experience.
Greenville University and SCORE International Ministries are partnering to launch Climb Experience. It will allow high school graduates to live in the Dominican Republic culture for 16-weeks, take college classes, and participate in ministries to serve the people of Juan Dolio and surrounding villages.
“I want this experience to change young people’s lives,” Sunderland said. “They will grow spiritually, take impactful classes, and participate in transformational ministries. Coming out of this, we hope participants will have a clearer idea of who they are, what they believe, and what they want to do going forward.”
During the semester, students will take some of their classes in the DR, and some classes online. They will choose those classes through a discussion with an adviser, depending on their academic goals. All credits will transfer to Greenville University, and many credits will transfer to other universities if the students choose to go elsewhere. The goal is that students have the flexibility to go where they choose after their semester in Juan Dolio.
“Though participants can earn college credits, we want to emphasize that this is more than an academic experience,” Sunderland said. “We will have excursions into the surrounding area, service projects, small-group activities, and ministry opportunities. All these things prepare them for college – whether that’s at Greenville or some other school. Clearly, though, students with this kind of experience are ones we would love to have at GU.”
Directing a program like Climb Experience wasn’t exactly on Sunderland’s radar after graduating from Greenville University in May of 2023.
“My long-term plan was to be in the fitness field as a personal trainer,” said Sunderland, a marketing and Spanish double major who captained the GU soccer team. “I wanted to combine my background in Spanish and sports with my desire to serve people. But I didn’t have a clear idea of how to pull all those things together.”
At least not until he was approached about directing the Climb Experience program. And then, everything seemed to fall in place.
“Sometimes it’s scary to say ‘Yes’ to opportunities like this,” he said. “But God’s been preparing me. I sense His calling as we get ready to launch the program. I’m excited about the impact it will have on my life, as well as our students and on people in the Dominican Republic.”
Sunderland has been to the Dominican Republic twice, each time for a week-long ministry trip while attending GU. His interaction with the people there fueled his appetite for a long-term experience. And that’s why leading the gap semester program resonated with him when he was approached about the opportunity.
“We envision Climb Experience as one that teaches participants the value of cultivating a deep relationship with God and a lifestyle of serving others,” Sunderland said. “For many of them, this will be their first time out on their own. They’re asking, ‘Who am I?’ and ‘What is my calling?’ and ‘What do I want to study in college?’ We think those questions can be answered in the context of serving others.”
While in the DR, participating students will live and attend classes on the beautiful campus of SCORE International Ministries, just minutes from the beach. SCORE is a Chattanooga-based organization that started as a baseball ministry and has had a presence in the Dominican Republic for several years. As a result, it is well connected with churches and ministries in the country. Today, SCORE brings in short-term mission teams from all over the country to the DR and elsewhere to serve various ministries in need.
Sunderland is currently working to enroll students in the program, which begins on August 26. The cost is $16,000 for the semester for room, board, food, excursions, and experiences. A leadership scholarship is also available for select students. Costs do not include flights to and from the Dominican Republic, textbooks, or personal spending money.
For more information, contact Sunderland at kyle.sunderland@climbexperience.org, or 618-690-2225. Follow Climb Experience on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/climbexperiencedr/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554616539397.
