Europe has been facing a huge refugee crisis for years, but conditions have worsened in the last few months. Millions of people are fleeing their homes from war, violence, and poor living conditions and seeking help in the European Union. New York-based photographer Brandon Stanton has been chronicling personal stories of recent refugees on his…
Here at Rustic Pathways, adventure comes in all shapes in sizes. Whether your adventure is teaching English in India, learning to surf in Costa Rica, or building a new school in the Fijian Highlands, the common thread that ties each of us together is our pursuit of the unknown. During the summer of 2015, while…
Promoting your trip is all about getting the word out to interested students and their families… not to mention, it can create some pretty powerful results! Below are 10 simple, yet effective, suggestions on how to promote your trip to get the sign-ups you need. Make an Announcement Talk about your program in every class…
We had an incredible summer and it was all thanks to our amazing students, staff, and families. Now that Summer 2015 is behind us, we are excited to welcome hundreds of new Rustic alumni to the Alumni Association. We're glad you're here! Stay tuned for upcoming developments with the Alumni Association. Internships, service updates, employment tips, and…
The year was 1995. During a free period at his Chicago high school, 15-year-old Christopher Regan sat in the audience during a Rustic Pathways presentation. He was immediately hooked. CR: They gave a quick schpiel and showed a video. It looked really, really fun. I was immediately interested, so I went home that evening and…
Over the weekend, Rustic Pathways was recognized as the Best Youth Tour Operator by the 2015 World Youth Student and Educational Conference. We are honored to receive this award, and we thank all of you that voted for us! As we enter our 33rd season at Rustic Pathways, we’re more excited than ever. We are…
It's been a month since our 2015 programs wrapped and we are still going through the thousands of images our photographer guides shot over the course of the summer. While we can't officially say these are the absolute best photos of the summer since there are still plenty to go through, these pictures are too good…
It’s no surprise that Rustic Pathways students care about the world around them. This month, we’re highlighting three alumni who their passions for human rights, service, and travel on their Rustic program, and continued pursuing them during college and after graduation. Read on for some great advice from Dan, Sasha, and Molly about how to go…
It's probably pretty obvious how we feel about taking a gap year, so we thought for this post we would let a Rustic alum tell you why you should consider world travel over a college classroom. Here is what Aline Aronsky has to say about taking the plunge and choosing gap. I didn’t know I would…
We had an incredible summer and it was all thanks to our amazing students, staff, and families. Thank you for trying new things, getting dirty during service, and stepping far out of your comfort zone so you could explore the world Rustic-style. This was our best summer yet and below are just a few of…
This month, we're featuring awesome alumni Nicole, Maddie, and Lena. They shared stories about their Rustic experiences and how they stayed involved in service long after their programs ended. Read below to hear about their adventures with Rustic, how their programs changed them, and advice they have for current and future Rustic students. What would you…
Whether you're traveling with us or have transitioned on to new adventures, we hope you have a meaningful, fun-filled summer! Check back in August to see what we have in store for our alumni this year! On the short list: 1. More internships and job opportunities 2. Exclusive access to new programs (revealed on Snapchat August…
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,…