Each December, we start the four-month process of narrowing our pool of more than 1,000 Program Leaders candidates to just a few hundred. About…
Have you ever wanted to get inside the mind of a college admissions officer to figure out what exactly they’re looking for? There’s a…
It’s that wonderful time of year again: the hustle and bustle of back to school. High school seniors are really starting to feel the…
Riely McCullough, of Seattle, Washington, traveled with Rustic in 2015 and used her experience as the topic for her college application essays. Read about how…
64-80 hours. That’s how long the average Rustic Pathways Program Leader spends training for their role leading service trips for high school students after…
Learn about the common worries of traveling abroad as a student and how to overcome them. You are not alone.
Depending on where you travel with Rustic Pathways, you may be required to get a visa ahead of time. If you haven’t done that, the time to start is NOW! For students leaving from the USA ONLY Contact G3 Visas and Passports, our partner who can help you through the process of getting your visa. Or visit…
It’s OK if there’s something you don’t know as you prepare for your Rustic Pathways trip, or even if you’re nervous about traveling abroad. Everyone is thinking about something, and probably the same things you are. We asked members of the Rustic Squad, a group of dedicated Rustic alums, what they wished they had known before…
Gaining a global perspective should be something you do when you're 18, not 67. Learn why take a gap year after high school to gain global perspective, enhance college success, and shape your future.
With the latest news this week in Washington, we want to reassure families that Rustic Pathways programs are open to all students — including those who identify as transgender or gender non-conforming. As an organization, we have been committed to these principles of inclusivity for decades. In 2014, we established a formal policy that outlines…
Resources: Why You Should Spend Your Money on Experiences, Not Things Hill Tribes of the Golden Triangle Intro to Photography in Cuba The Refugee Youth Project Spanish Language Immersion Pacific Adrenaline To give the gift on an experience, start with Rustic's 2017 catalog.
Alex Biddle, a Rustic Pathways program manager in the Dominican Republic, uses her Spanish on a daily basis. While she manages service projects and oversees adventure programs, she frequently has to think on her feet and switch between two languages. Alex hasn’t always spoken Spanish, though. She began to learn the language during a ten-month…
Supporting your child in their choice to take a gap year isn’t always easy. You might be worried they won’t return to school, nervous about them traveling abroad, or wondering if the investment is really worth it. We understand taking a gap year is a big decision for both our students and our parents. However,…
Name: Max Veenema Gap Year Program Leader: South Pacific Service and Ocean Skills How did you begin working for Rustic Pathways? I started working with Rustic in the Fiji Islands. I had come from California, where I spent much of my time in the Pacific Ocean. I wanted to experience a new culture while still…
Why does someone choose to take a gap year? What do they really learn about themselves and about the world? Hear three of our alumni, Kelsey, Sharif, and Lance, speak about their gap journeys. Check out our newest video: The Impact of a Gap Year
Discover effective strategies to discuss the benefits of a gap year with your parents. Learn how to explain your goals, address safety concerns, and explore funding options.