Student FAQs

A typical day in the HEART program is full and you need to come prepared to participate from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Approximately 40% of your time will be spent in classroom studies and 60% in practical hands-on activity.

To give you a realistic experience of being in an isolated and foreign country, all students will be restricted from leaving the HEART village during the first four weeks of the semester. That restriction will begin when you arrive at the Village. Therefore, all phone calls and shopping must be completed before entering the HEART village. You are, of course, permitted to receive and send mail weekly during this time. Should an emergency arise, your family may contact you through the HEART office. The success of this experience depends on the willingness of each student to cooperate.

The academic programs at HEART are specifically geared towards preparing Christians for cross-cultural service. While we do not refuse applicants simply because they are not followers of Jesus Christ, all students should be prepared to fully participate in all aspects of community life, including but not limited to daily devotions and weekly worship services.

Those persons wanting the training that HEART has to offer without the spiritual focus may be interested in participating in our periodic community events or organizing a skills-focused MAV group. See the schedule of upcoming community events or check out the MAV availability schedule.

YES! Participation in the activities and classes of the HEART community is very important. One of the key ingredients to the HEART experience is living and working in community. Whether you take the classes for credit or not you must participate like any other student. The program is designed to help and train you so you must participate to receive that training.

Since the program we have at the present time is designed for the community idea the answer is no. It might be possible that we offer some single classes in the future over extended weekends but at the moment this is not offered.

College credit is not awarded through the HEART Institute directly, but rather through partnering colleges and universities. Up to 18 credits are available for the semester program and up to 3 credits for the 3 week course. Please contact 
academics@heartvillage.org to discuss the possibility of getting credit for your coursework at HEART

The following list will assist you in your preparations for life in the HEART village:
Click here for a printable list.

• Bible, personal devotional materials, journal
• Modest clothing that can be worn in layers*
• Modest swim suit for canoe trip
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Rain Gear (especially a good rain jacket that you can wear while working)
• Work Gloves
• Warm Hat/Scarf/Warm Gloves*
• Rubber Boots or Wet Shoes
• Insect Repellant
• Sunscreen
• Toiletries and personal supplies
• Personal Medication
• Ear plugs
• Headlamp and/or flashlight with replacement batteries
• Camera with replacement batteries (you will not be able to recharge batteries during Phase 1)
• Bedding* (including a sleeping bag for the canoe trip)
• Bath towels, washcloths, hand towels for personal use
• Baby Wipes
• Personal Snacks
• Laundry Soap
• Non-electric alarm clock
• Non-electric razor
• Reusable water bottle
• Hammock (optional)
• Notebook, pencils, pens, paper, etc.
• Laptop for use during Phase 2 and 3
• Stationary, stamps and address book
• Musical Instruments, if desired
• Board or card games
• Morale builders, (posters, wall hangings, personal pictures, etc.)
• One casual dress-up outfit for Sunday services and special occasions (i.e. pants and collared shirt for men, skirt or dress for women)

Please remember that all clothing for HEART should be modest and practical for work. It is important to be courteous of your roommate(s) by limiting your personal belongings. May we suggest that in addition to your bedroll, please limit your yourself to two or three pieces of luggage.

*Cabins are not insulated and do not have artificial heat. Coming prepared for the weather with appropriate clothing and bedding is important for your comfort and welfare while staying in the village. Students are always surprised at how COLD the village feels during the winter months.

YES! At HEART, we recognize and value the entire family gaining skills in cross-cultural adaptation before serving in a developing area. We welcome children of all ages in the village.

The cost of housing and food for a spouse and children is the same as students. If children are under the age of 12, the cost is half.

“We sold everything and moved our family to [a developing area]. We had plans to live there for the rest of our lives. Be buried there, even. It came as a total shock when we boarded a plane 9 months later to return to [our home country]. We were burned out, depressed and overwhelmed with culture shock. We were disappointed in ourselves and felt like we let all of our supporters down. I wish we had been better prepared for all that we would face.”

While the story above is fictitious, it expresses a reality that many missionaries experience. The stress of crossing cultures can be overwhelming. The HEART program simulates many of those stresses and gives participants a “safe place” to work through issues and develop coping skills that will help them thrive in a cross-cultural setting. While you can attend many programs to gain skills in community development or take courses to learn the academics of cross-cultural ministry, HEART is the only program that offers a three-fold approach to pre-field training: living in a simulated developing village, learning the academics and practicing the skills.