We hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend! With so many of us around the world, we thought we would share some pictures of our unconventional, yet equally as awesome, celebrations of the USA's Independence Day. Enjoy! [caption id="attachment_9130" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Some patriotic students relax by the pool in Fiji.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_9124" align="aligncenter"…
Now that summer has started and our programs are under way, Rustic alum’s Kaleigh, Tristan, and Allie share how their Rustic programs impacted them. Their reflections showcase how traveling helped them step out of their comfort zones, start a journey with an open mind, and welcome the unfamiliar. They also have some good advice for students…
It’s time to “rewild the child,” says the British writer George Monbiot. "Every child in every school in the country, every term, should have a week in the countryside. And I think that would have a transformative effect, not just on the children themselves and on their education, but on the whole of society." This…
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?…
While the data on students taking a Gap year is sparse, one thing is clear—more students are choosing to take a Gap experience, and the number grows every year. It allows students to explore their options and find their focus before committing to four years of university, setting them up for success. Students can tell…
We are just a few weeks away from the start of our summer programs. As you start to pack your bags and get ready for your own adventures, we asked a few of our alumni about what advice they have for students traveling this summer. Emma and Carolyn have some great tips about immersing yourself…
Congratulations to our graduating seniors! As you finish finals and your high school careers come to a close, we hope you take a moment to congratulate yourselves on four years of hard work. With college on the horizon for many of you, we checked in with three of our graduated alums to find out how…
Please put your phone away. Your program leaders are going to tell you this on your program, not because they want to be controlling, but because they want you to fully experience and appreciate your Rustic adventure. The spectacular sunset over the highlands of Fiji is not going to wait while you post on Instagram,…
Through our Capture series, we have seen some incredible images from Tanzania and Costa Rica. Now we go to Peru with Brooke Warren, one of our photographer guides who worked in Peru last summer. While Machu Picchu tends to steal the show, there is much more to this incredibly diverse and beautiful country, and Brooke's photographs…
With only 55 days before the start of summer programs, everyone at Rustic is getting excited to welcome students to their countries and lead them on incredible adventures. Many of our staff have worked in their respective countries for years and truly consider it their second home—a place filled with friends, family, and memories. Our…
We hope that students get a lot out of their Rustic Pathways experience—that the impact of our programs is long lasting and far reaching. We want students to gain appreciation for a new culture, venture outside of their comfort zones and try new things, and return home with a love of learning and travel. This…
Senior Projects, Maymesters, Capstone Projects. If you're planning on doing one through your school, consider doing it with Rustic! This is a volunteer position in exchange for school credit. The senior project period must take place between May-June, 2015. During the senior project experience, you will work with our marketing and operations departments to further understand…
Happy Friday! We recently had the pleasure of running a program in the Dominican Republic for a group of college students from Rutgers University. Women from the Africana House at Douglass Residential College spent ten days in Monte Coco, one of the batey communities in the Dominican Republic, building a home for a family and…
With summer programs quickly approaching, anxiety about putting your child on a plane by themself might be building up. Did I make the right decision? Am I crazy sending my child to the other side of the world with complete strangers? Will my child be in good hands? We recently wrote to some parents of…
Editor’s Note: In an effort to spread awareness of our global projects and celebrate the passionate and courageous individuals that support the Rustic Pathways Foundation, we are launching a series of blog posts that will attempt to illuminate the perspectives of those who work on our projects on a daily basis. We begin this series…
For alumni interested in nonprofit work and development, check out the Development Ambassador position. This volunteer position is through the Rustic Pathways Foundation and is available to alumni of all ages. We are recruiting passionate and creative fundraisers who are eager to represent our global projects with integrity while helping us to reach our ambitious…
For most of our alumni, their Rustic experience doesn’t end just because their program is over. Our alumni return home and create clubs to help support their program’s community service initiatives, make videos about their experiences, start blogs—we even have a few alumni that have done TedTalks! These experiences stay with you, and have inspired…
Being a photo editor has its perks. Reviewing photos every day allows me to travel and see the world without having to pack a bag or find my passport. One minute, I could be in Costa Rica, zip lining through the jungle, and with a few clicks on the trackpad I can travel thousands of miles…
Beyond the opportunity to engage with new cultures, step outside of your comfort zone, and go places you've never been before; what makes a Rustic Pathways experience so special, are the people. Watch this video to learn more about our Rustic family.
[caption id="attachment_6822" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Brent Watkins, vice president of program operations[/caption] Happy Friday! Recently, our very own Brent Watkins, vice president of program operations, talked with goabroad.com about his experiences working with Rustic, his extensive travels in Southeast Asia, and about our programs in Burma. You can check out the interview on goabroad.com right here,…