Choosing the right service learning trip destinations depends on the goals of your high school or college group. Some countries lean toward cultural immersion and education projects, while others are ideal for conservation and infrastructure work. Rustic Pathways manages logistics, partners with local organizations, and aligns each project to clear learning outcomes.
Contact us to speak one on one about locations and program design.
Rustic Pathways student help baby sea turtles during the Turtle Conservation Project in Costa Rica.
Benefits of Service Learning Programs
Service learning blends real community impact with growth in cultural awareness and leadership.
- Hands-on projects through nonprofit partners, schools, and community groups
- Clear learning outcomes linked to local needs
- Mentorship from trained staff and local leaders
- Stronger purpose, confidence, and long-term engagement in service
Our Variety of Service Learning Trip Destinations
Rustic Pathways operates programs across Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, and the United States. Each destination offers distinct projects in conservation, education, infrastructure, and cultural exchange.
Whether you’re passionate about conservation in Costa Rica, cultural immersion in Thailand, or community development in Fiji, our programs connect you to impactful experiences. Dive into the article for a closer look at the life-changing adventures that await in these incredible destinations!
Tip: Check the documents required for international teen travel
Latin America
Close to the United States, Latin America offers a wide range of projects and accessible flights. Highlights include sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica and community development in Peru’s Sacred Valley. The Dominican Republic and Ecuador add rich cultural immersion and environmental initiatives.
Here are some of the best programs in Latin America:
Costa Rica
- Pura Vida Service
- Young Explorers: Pura Vida
- Costa Rica: Surf and Service
- Costa Rica: Spring Break Surf and Service
- Costa Rica: Turtle Conservation Project (For High School Students)
- Costa Rica: Turtle Conservation Program (For College Students)
Rustic Pathways students work on infrastructure projects during the Surf and Service program in Costa Rica.
Dominican Republic
- Dominican Republic: Island Living and Eco-Service
- Dominican Republic: Marine Life and Coastal Restoration
Peru
Ecuador
Donate your time to working with Peruvian youth on meaningful education initiatives. Copyright: © 2014 Rustic Pathways
Africa
Service learning trips in Africa often focus on hands-on-work in infrastructure or animal conservation. Morocco in northwestern Africa is one of the most popular trip destinations for teens. In this nation, teens can learn about the indigenous Amazing culture, while engaging in infrastructure service learning projects.
Tanzania in southeastern Africa that’s home to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is also a great choice for students. Likewise, Ghana in west Africa, which features safari opportunities like Tanzania, is a good option for infrastructure service learning opportunities. Other popular African destinations for school programs include South Africa and Kenya.
Here are some of the best destinations in Africa:
Morocco
Tanzania
Tanzania: African Wildlife and Environmental Conservation
Tanzania: Culture and the Crater
Ghana:
Rustic Pathways students enjoy working on a service learning project in a Amazigh community in Morocco.
Europe
Europe has many international service learning trip opportunities for growth outside the classroom. In Europe, the focus is not only on issues like environmental and animal conservation but also on social justice service opportunities in popular destinations like Italy, France and Spain.
Here are the best community service opportunities and destinations in Europe:
Italy
Greece
Greece: Island Turtle Conservation
Italy & Greece Combo
Italy & Greece: Cultural Immersion and Turtles
Rustic Pathways students explore the park where they completed their environmental conservation work in Italy.
Asia
Asia offers high-impact projects in environmental and animal conservation, plus deep cultural immersion. Thailand is a top choice for middle school and high school students.
Thailand
- Thailand Adventurer
- Thailand: Thai Elephant Conservation Project
- Thailand: Ultimate Adventure
- Thailand: Come With Nothing
Students work on elephant conservation projects in Thailand.
Japan:
South Korea:
Japan and South Korea Combo
South Pacific
Australia and New Zealand add conservation and outdoor learning. Fiji is a favorite for leadership development and community partnership projects. Programs in the South Pacific focus on the following: environmental projects, cultural exchange activities, food service, educational exchange and infrastructure.
Fiji
Work alongside community members repairing school facilities in Fiji. Copyright: © 2016 Rustic Pathways
Australia
United States
Stay close to home while making a real impact. Many U.S. programs focus on environmental conservation, infrastructure, and education through established partners such as the National Park Service, Special Olympics, and Feeding America. Habitat for Humanity also offers year-round opportunities.
If you want a U.S. destination that’s farther from most people’s homes, Hawaii and Alaska are great choices.
Hawaii
A student works on agricultural service learning projects in Hawaii. Rustic Pathways Aloha Service, Summer 2019
2019 © Steve Boyle
Alaska
Frequently Asked Questions
What are service learning trip destinations?
Service learning trip destinations are countries where students complete structured projects that meet local needs while learning through direct service and cultural immersion.
How do I choose the right destination?
Start with your project goals and season. Conservation and wildlife projects are strong in Costa Rica and Thailand. Cultural immersion and community development are strong in Peru, Morocco, Fiji, and Italy. A coordinator can match goals to country and timing.
Are programs available for both high school and college students?
Yes. Many destinations offer separate program tracks for high school and college students with age-appropriate leadership and project depth.
How are safety and lodging handled?
Programs are led by trained staff with 24 hour support. Accommodations are vetted to Rustic standards, and each trip includes risk assessment and clear emergency protocols.
Can trips be customized for my group?
Yes. Itineraries can be customized to project type, calendar, and budget. Groups can request specific learning outcomes and service themes.
Next Steps
Ready for next steps? Browse all service learning trip destinations on our programs page. When you are ready, request a consultation to match your goals to the right project and country.
To view all our service learning trip destinations, please visit our program page.