Elon University
IN-3: Innovation 3

In Fall 2013, Elon University implemented the second year of the Gap Semester Program. This program is an innovate way to start 15 students off on their collegiate experience that is unique from the traditional experience. Students participating in the Gap Program are both those who are looking for a break from traditional academics and those who are looking to have a large first impact.

The 13-week Gap Semester Program begins with three weeks at the National Outdoor Leadership School in Lander, Wyoming. Students explore the wilderness while camping and refining leadership skills. The National Outdoor Leadership School course offers four credits: two credits transfer as a leadership elective and two additional credits as environmental ethics.

The Gap Semester Program continues with four weeks of service learning at locations across the country. The students begin by traveling to Pine Ridge, South Dakota to learn about the Oglala Sioux tribe and work on the reservation. The next portion of the service learning experience takes students to Gateway Greening in St. Louis, Missouri where they focus on increasing access to fresh food for inner city neighborhoods. The third week is in Harlan, Kentucky where students experience Appalachian culture and learn about the coal mining industry. In the final portion of the service learning experience, students travel to Washington DC to investigate the realities of homelessness.

The Gap Semester Program concludes with six weeks in Costa Rica. Students live with a local family while studying at the Elon Center in San Jose. The Costa Rica Centre course offers four credits that transfer as Spanish and culture electives. All levels of Spanish language are offered. This course also includes classroom and field experiences.