Myanmar

Myanmar: Documenting Democracy — Custom School Trips

Q: Is Myanmar: Documenting Democracy Right for This School Group?

Which students thrive on this program? Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required. What will students do each day? Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.

Q: How Do Flights, Meals, and Logistics Work?

How Do Flights Work? School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways program leaders meet the group at the arrival airport and manage all in-country logistics from there. What Meals Are Included? All meals included. Dietary needs accommodated.

Q: What’s Included in This Rustic Pathways Program?

Included: All lodging All meals In-country transport All activities and excursions 24/7 staff support Not Included: International airfare Travel insurance Personal spending money

Groups of 8+ | Custom Dates | Fully Supported | 4.9 on GoOverseas

1 / 8

Critical Issues: Political change, storytelling, and democratization

Explore the evolution of democracy in Myanmar through interviews with local artists, filmmakers, students, and families. Myanmar is slowly making strides to open itself up to the outside world, which is reflected in local art. Spend a week developing a story about how life has changed in recent years through the eyes of your interview subjects in Yangon, Bagan, and Mandalay.

Custom School Trip

Custom dates & duration. Groups of 8+.

Response within 1 business day

Anna Beckerman

Head of School Group Travel

Dartmouth · 15 years at Rustic

321+ school partners since 2010

Not sure yet?

Email Rustic Pathways

Talk to a personal travel advisor: +1 (440) 975-9691

Schedule a call

View program itinerary

What Does a 8-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

Arrive in Yangon

Arrive into Yangon International Airport (RGN) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. After dropping off your bags, visit the country’s pride and joy, the famous golden Shwedagon Pagoda. Learn about the legend behind it and why thousands of Buddhists make the pilgrimage to this site every year. Dine with the group for for first Burmese meal at the former office of Gen. Aung San, Myanmar’s national hero. Join your Program Leaders afterward for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture. Minglabar!

The Power of Storytelling

Identify your story through a series of activities led by experienced Rustic staff before heading into the streets of Yangon to put your new skills to the test. Explore the famous Bogyoke Market, have conversations at tea shops, and interview university students.

Burmese Storytellers and Buddhist Traditions

Visit a local monastery and give alms, an integral part of local Buddhist tradition and Burmese culture. Screen two Burmese documentaries before meeting the filmmakers. Get the millennial perspective of how Myanmar has changed through interviews with young people at Inya Lake.

Fly to Bagan

Explore Bagan! Wander the dusty roads and observe the hundreds of temples that dot the landscape and photograph this ancient site that is both intricate and grand. Visit a monastic school in the afternoon to learn about its initiatives and goals for students, meeting young monks and starting to understand what buddhist monastic life is like. Watch the sunset over ancient ruins and sacred pagodas.

Meet Rustic Families

Take a chartered boat across the Irrawaddy to a small island in the middle of the river rarely visited by tourists—home to several of Rustic Pathways’ staff members and their families. Learn about the village by meeting local community members, including the head of the village. Play soccer and cane ball, ride oxen, and enjoy a traditional Burmese dinner. Spend time with your hosts and listen to their stories of a country in transition.

Fly to Mandalay

Touch down in Mandalay, one of the most famous and intriguing cities in all of Southeast Asia and home to 70 percent of the country’s Buddhist monks. Head across the historic U Bein Bridge to explore the village of more Rustic staff from the region. Meet the families and learn about the complicated land rights issues playing out in Myanmar.

Finish Your Interviews

Explore a village where traditional life plays out as it did several decades ago during home visits—your last day to conduct interviews and develop your story. Take an evening flight to Yangon and reflect about the people you’ve met, places you’ve visited, and moments you’ve captured. At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.

Ta Tar, Myanmar!

Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

Trained Program Leaders

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Customizable Itinerary

Custom dates and duration

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

Myanmar

What Do School Organizers Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup and handles all in-country logistics.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Supervision & Safety

Who supervises the students?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Communication

Can students contact home?

Yes. Rustic Pathways’ policy is that students can call, text, or WhatsApp anytime. Rustic Pathways is happy to defer to established school policies instead.

How do families stay informed?

Rustic Pathways sends daily photo updates throughout the program.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group?

Group size varies based on the school’s needs. Contact Rustic Pathways for a custom quote.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Rustic Pathways provides a room list prior to travel. Schools can assign rooming allocations or allow students to choose their roommates.

Program Details

Will students have unsupervised time?

Structured independence with staff nearby. No unsupervised time in public areas.

Can Rustic Pathways accommodate food allergies?

Yes. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment and shared with all meal providers.

How much spending money should students have?

$150–200 recommended. Tipping is included, no extra cash needed.

Support

What if a student gets homesick?

Homesickness can be common during the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well-prepared. See how staff support students through homesickness

Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students. Read how Rustic Pathways supports neurodiverse students.

What Should Teachers Know?

Is Myanmar: Documenting Democracy Right for This School Group?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.

What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.

Why Does Rustic Pathways Go to Myanmar?

Myanmar offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.

How Do Flights, Meals, and Logistics Work?

How Do Flights Work?
School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways program leaders meet the group at the arrival airport and manage all in-country logistics from there.

What Meals Are Included?
All meals included. Dietary needs accommodated.

What’s Included in This Rustic Pathways Program?

Included:

All lodging
All meals
In-country transport
All activities and excursions
24/7 staff support

Not Included:

International airfare
Travel insurance
Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?

Myanmar Asia Critical Issues

Request a Quote