Diverse Pathways to Global Learning
Rustic Pathways is proud to be part of a family of mission-aligned programs that expand access to ethical, transformative travel experiences for students around the world. These sister programs are designed for different life stages, goals, and travel styles, from climate action and cultural exchange to extended gap years and high-adventure expeditions.
Each shares Rustic’s core commitment to education, sustainability, and global citizenship.
What Are Sister Programs?
Sister programs are distinct travel and learning experiences within the Rustic Pathways network. They target specific student needs such as short-term service, long-term growth, or topic-based travel. These programs expand educational opportunities beyond the core educational travel offerings and are tailored to different life stages and goals.
Explore Rustic Pathways Sister Programs
Climate Leaders Fellowship
For: Aspiring changemakers ages 14–18
Focus: Climate action, community project development, and global leadership in partnership with Stanford Deliberative Democracy Lab
This groundbreaking fellowship has served 3,221 participants across 57 countries since 2021, generating 35,708 documented service hours. With published research in Adolescents journal validating its impact (Lincoln et al., 2024) and a Net Promoter Score of 67, this 100% free program is the only credit-eligible climate program offered by any teen travel company. Participants develop projects through Rustic’s ethical volunteering framework and work with the global network of community partners.
Upcoming: Premium in-person summits launching in NYC, San Francisco, London, and Seoul (2025)
Rustic Life Gap Year
For: High school grads and college-aged students
Focus: 8–12 week immersive experiences in Southeast Asia, South America, and beyond, combining service, travel, and personal development
Currently operating in Costa Rica, Thailand, and Peru, Rustic Life offers transformative gap experiences at just $8,000 per semester, 50% below competitors like ARCC Programs ($15,000+) and Pacific Discovery ($12,000+), leveraging Rustic’s base houses and global operations infrastructure.
2026 Expansion: Formalizing offerings in 5 countries with vocational training components
2027 Goal: Serving 500+ gap year students annually
Rustic Ultimate Adventures (Coming Soon)
For: Independent young travelers ages 15–22
Focus: Adventure-first travel with deep local immersion
Building on Rustic’s awards & recognition for adventure programming, these expeditions combine upbeat activities with meaningful cultural exchange, supported by experienced industry experts.
Rustic Learn Abroad (Coming Soon)
For: Students seeking international education or language immersion
Focus: Credit-bearing academic and language experiences abroad
Developed in partnership with leading educational institutions and backed by Rustic’s accreditations, these programs offer rigorous academic content within a proven experiential learning framework.
Why Sister Programs Matter
These programs allow Rustic Pathways to meet students wherever they are and support them through different phases of personal and educational growth. Together with the network of strategic partners, they help:
- Build climate and leadership skills through action-based learning (3,200+ climate fellows trained)
- Extend cross-cultural learning opportunities across different program lengths (4 weeks to 12 weeks)
- Prepare students for life after high school or college (67% of alumni pursue international careers)
- Offer alternative models for global education beyond traditional tourism
- Remove financial barriers with free and affordable options (Climate Fellowship: $0, Gap Year: $8,000)
Rustic’s sister programs are part of an innovation ecosystem that includes the Serialized Travel Curriculum™ for schools, a proprietary multi-year progression model launching in 2025. Rustic Pathways sister programs are designed to meet you there, backed by the safety standards and community focus that have earned Rustic Pathways its reputation over 40+ years.
Find Your Path
Not sure which program is the best fit? Rustic’s admissions team can help you explore options across sister programs and traditional offerings. We’ll match you with the experience that aligns with your goals, timeline, and budget.
Contact Us for Personalized Guidance →
For educators interested in these programs for their students, explore the full educational travel resources or learn more about our organization. Media professionals can access program information through the Rustic Pathways media kit.
Join The Growing Family
Interested in joining the Rustic team to support these innovative programs? Explore career opportunities across sister programs and global operations.