It's not hard to find anecdotal reports about the benefits of student travel. Knowing that students return from our programs having experienced some type of growth wasn't enough for us. So we created a framework to intentionally design our programs and assess what and how students learned from them. According to the results from our…
Learn about the benefits of a gap year from a Rustic alum. Discover how taking a gap year can provide time for yourself, career exploration, and life-changing experiences.
Sharif Campbell was the first member of his family to go to college. But he didn’t rush off to Tufts University, where he’s currently a sophomore studying international relations. Instead, Sharif took a gap year. Many universities allow students to defer their first year of college as the practice of taking a gap year becomes…
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…
Rustic Alum Dany G. traveled from her hometown of Monterrey, Mexico to join our Rebuilding New Orleans program. She did not know anyone enrolled in the program, and was nervous about being so far out of her comfort zone. Below is her account of what happened next. "Before I had my first trip with Rustic Pathways, I…
As part of our summer internship program, seasoned Rustic alum Elizabeth Ronzio joined the team as our Fiji Communications Coordinator! Here’s what she has to say about her summer living and working at our Eco-Lodge. “Just over three months ago I was at a point in my career where I wasn't learning enough, there was…
With college application deadlines just around the corner, it always helps to take a step back and find out what universities are really looking…
The Maldives faces the risk of being underwater by 2050, but this island nation has already made headlines — from hosting a cabinet meeting beneath the sea to relying on parrotfish to build its beaches. With 2,000+ marine species and a weekend that starts on Friday, the Maldives is full of surprises. Read these fun facts about the Maldives!
Rustic Pathways believes real leadership happens at the actual place—beside students. This article outlines why our most experienced staff stay in the field, not behind laptops, and how that presence transforms student travel experiences.
In this guest article, Arar Han recounts how taking a gap year helped her gain work experience and develop a clear direction for college. Her unexpected year off helped to shape her future. Read to find out how it could do the same for you.
Why do some teen travel programs yield change and others don't? After 12,000+ students, one pattern keeps surfacing: transformation happens in the stretch zone. Too comfortable and teens stay the same. Too stressed and they shut down. The programs that work find the middle. The ones that don't, don't."
Worried about the cost of taking a gap year? Don't worry, you've got plenty of options! Read this guide to learn how to afford a gap year and find the best bang-for-your-buck gap year programs.
Wondering if a gap year hurts college admissions? Top colleges support them, and research links gap years to higher GPAs, stronger applications, and better student confidence. Learn how to plan a gap year that stands out on applications.
Stop following trends and start following your heart. We have all the steps, all you have to do is read through them and pick the best gap year countries you want to travel to in 2025!
Don't feel like leaving the USA during your gap year? That's okay, you have options. Don't feel like staying in the USA during your gap year? That's okay, you have options, too! Read and find the best gap year programs US students can go on!
Should I go to college? Should I take a gap year? What should I do?!? If you're debating taking a gap year vs college, we've created the perfect guide that will help you make a decision!
I took a gap year and felt happier, became more confident, left my comfort zone, learned a new language, met new people. Read this guide to see which gap year life skills you will gain when you go on your gap year!
Senior year of High School can get extremely stressful: final exams, SATs, ACTs, college applications... Taking a gap year for mental health will let you recharge and prepare for what's next. Read how you and your mental health can benefit by taking a gap year.