Mary Rogelstad

Content Writer

Mary is a Content Writer at Rustic Pathways. She has been a writer and editor for nearly 20 years. Prior to covering student travel, Mary created content for the music education company J.W. Pepper & Son. She also was a writer and producer at CNN International and a communications director for a social service agency and a K-12 private school.

Latest

Community Service in Fiji

Climate Leaders Fellowship: Teens Learning with Stanford University

July 5, 2021 · 7 min read

Stanford University professors have found an extraordinarily effective way to help people understand different points of view. This groundbreaking process will be shared with Rustic Pathways students from 25 countries who'll be participating in the Global Youth Climate Summit.  

Camel caravan

The Morocco Experience: What Students Can Expect During Their Travel Journey

June 15, 2021 · 4 min read

An unforgettable trip to Morocco takes students to a place that is often very different from home. It may be the first time they view the Sahara Desert, fortified villages or ksars, the "red city" of Marrakech with its clay structures and more. It's often the people though that teens meet during the trip that they remember the most. 

About Rustic Pathways: Rustic Pathways originated in 1983 with a student trip to the Australian Outback.

The Definitive Parent Guide to Teen Travel

April 30, 2021 · 13 min read

How does a parent pick the right travel program for their teen and then plan for the trip? Rustic Pathways has gathered some of the best tips after over 40 years of offering specialized international programs for teens and young adults.

Making an Impact: Rustic’s Summer Program on Climate Change Will Empower Teens

April 12, 2021 · 4 min read

A special online program is being launched this July by the Stanford University Center for Deliberative Democracy and the Rustic Pathways Foundation. The Global Youth Climate Summit will challenge students in 7th-12th grade to design innovative solutions to environmental issues.

It’s What Day? Ways to Use Awareness Events to Learn about the Global Environment

April 8, 2021 · 10 min read

Today’s teenagers are regularly tuned in to issues about climate change and the environment. Parents can foster that interest and plan family activities around official events that focus on nature. Here is a look at some of these upcoming events and programs that may help, along with some Rustic Pathways’ alumni thoughts about these issues.

The Psychological Need For Connection: How Travel Helps Mental Health

April 6, 2021 · 8 min read

Mental health statistics show that the well-being of many teens drastically declined during the pandemic. Parents can help teens find their way back through international programs that are designed to build connections.