Blog

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…
With winter showing its cold ugly face, if you're anything like this California kid, you're probably already dreaming of warmer climates. As Rustic's International Photography Manager, I've visited each of our destination countries and personally felt that big ball of fire's warmth on every continent but one. So journey with me as we shake out…
This month’s Alumni Spotlight is shining on Cailey Newton. She is a three-program Rustic veteran after traveling to Peru, Thailand and Laos, and fundraising for the programs on her own. Upon high school graduation and being accepted into numerous colleges, Cailey found herself researching taking a Gap Year and, ultimately, taking the leap.  Cailey spent…
This month’s spotlights are shining on three awesome girls whose programs in Morocco, India, and Thailand far exceeded their expectations. Hear about their eye-opening experiences and the connections Nabilla, Sarah, and Maggie discovered within their new environments. Nabilla traveled to Morocco with Souqs and Service as an Ambassador scholarship recipient. She had the unique experience…
Lance Oppenheim is a talented photographer and videographer who was awarded one of our Gap Year Global Ambassador Scholarships. While traveling throughout Southeast Asia and India, Lance was captivated by the beautiful landscapes and unique cultures he encountered. He was also surprised by the prevalence of cameras and phones, and questioned the significance of these…
This month we’re featuring alum Maya Elia! After returning home from her program to Thailand last summer, she started Elepants, a non-profit that sells Thai Harem pants and donates 100% of its profits to the Lampang Thai Elephant Conservation Center. What was the specific moment or experience that inspired you to start your nonprofit, Elepants?…
This summer, inspired by photographer Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, we began to collect photographs and stories of our students, staff, and community partners. The project facilitated interaction and dialogue between students, local staff, and local communities, and has enabled us to share what Rustic Pathways is all about — the people. When our students…