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

Students in a bread making class

The Best Three Programs for Foodies

November 19, 2021 · 4 min read

Students can have a memorable tasting adventure during their Rustic travels. Here are some of the best programs for food-loving students who want to try something different.

What Makes Rustic Programs Rustic? Part 2 - The Destination

November 19, 2021 · 5 min read

Rustic programs take students off the beaten path - far away from tourist locations. At these destinations, they are wowed by both the scenery and the people they meet.

What Makes Rustic Programs Rustic? Part 1 - Lodging

November 9, 2021 · 7 min read

“Rustic” lodging can include camping, or staying in huts, or even boats. Here are some of the lodging differences

The Three Best Programs for First-Time Travelers

November 5, 2021 · 5 min read

Read details about three of the programs commonly picked by first-time travelers.

Education service

How Students Can Use Travel Experiences to Learn Another Language

September 28, 2021 · 5 min read

International travel is a key to mastering another language. Here are some essential tips from language experts on how students can use their program experiences to vastly improve their communication skills.

Preparing for College & Careers: How Rustic Programs Help Students After High School

September 7, 2021 · 6 min read

It certainly can be challenging for teens to try to figure out what to do with their lives. Some students rely on their high school experiences to make that decision. But when they travel, things often change.   

Sunset in Fiji

Best Solutions for Climate Change in Fiji from Global Youth Summit Students

August 2, 2021 · 5 min read

Students from 21 countries participated in the Rustic Pathways and Stanford University Global Youth Climate Summit. Explore these novel solutions to environmental problems in Fiji.

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.