What Do Parents Ask?
Flights & Cost
How do flights work?
Students fly independently to Incheon International Airport (ICN). There is no group flight and no chaperoned flight on this program. Book an arrival between 4:00 AM and 9:00 AM on Monday, April 5 and a departure between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM on Friday, April 9, Korea time. Rustic Pathways staff meet every student in the arrivals hall and see every student through check-in on the way home.
Full detail, including the flights this program is planned around, is in the Flight Times section below.
Which flights should we book?
These are the flights the program is planned around, so booking one puts your child with the group: Air Premia YP132 from Newark and Asiana OZ211 from San Francisco on the way out, YP131 and OZ212 on the way home.
They are recommendations, not requirements. Flying from another city, you do not need to connect through Newark or San Francisco: book any flight that lands between 4:00 AM and 9:00 AM on Monday, April 5 and departs between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM on Friday, April 9, Korea time.
Exact times for the recommended flights are in the Flight Times section below.
What’s included in the price?
Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).
Do you offer financial aid or scholarships?
Yes. Payment plans are available for all families, and Rustic Pathways offers both need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. Explore scholarships and financial aid
Is travel insurance required?
Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →
What is the enrollment fee?
A one-time enrollment fee is charged when you enroll, separate from the program tuition. It covers enrollment processing, pre-departure advising and trip planning.
The fee is non-refundable after the first 24 hours.
What if my family has an emergency and we have to cancel?
November 30 is the date that matters. Cancel up to then and the program price is refunded, less the non-refundable enrollment fee and any airfare already booked. The enrollment terms carry the full schedule.
We know some things are outside anyone’s control. If your family faces a serious documented emergency, contact us; we review these situations individually and will do what we reasonably can to help.
Supervision & Safety
Who’s supervising my child?
Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a median of one staff member per 4.37 students (4.37:1), with no program exceeding 7 students per staff member (7:1). All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and every program includes at least one leader with 3 or more years of field experience. Program Leaders range in age from 22 to 45.
Are rooms gender-separated?
Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.
What about medical emergencies?
All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.
Communication
Can I reach my child?
Yes. Students can call, text, or WhatsApp anytime.
How will I know they’re okay?
Parents receive daily photo updates throughout the program.
What is the phone/device policy?
Rustic Pathways allows students to keep their phones and does not confiscate them, but encourages students to actively participate in the program experience. Students may contact home as often as they like.
High-speed public Wi-Fi is widely available and all accommodations have Wi-Fi access.
Group & Logistics
How big is the group and how old are the participants?
The group is limited to 14 students. Most students on this trip are 15-17 years old. Program Leaders group similarly-aged students together for activities.
Can international (non-U.S.) students join this program?
Yes. Rustic Pathways programs are open to students worldwide, with participants from 53 countries. International students fly independently to the arrival airport, where Rustic Pathways coordinates pickup. Visa requirements vary by passport and destination, so contact a travel advisor for guidance.
Do students come with friends, or on their own?
Most students join without knowing anyone. 94% travel solo. No experience needed. Most are nervous at first. Program Leaders run ice-breakers on day one, so friendships form quickly, and everyone has a place in the group.
What is the accommodation like?
Students room together in gender-separated rooms in a guest house in Seoul, with shared bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and communal spaces. Rustic Pathways Program Leaders stay on-site to provide 24/7 supervision. All accommodations are vetted for safety, cleanliness, and easy access to program activities.
Can friends room together?
Yes. Roommate requests accepted during enrollment.
Program Details
Can the program itinerary change?
This itinerary reflects what we intend to deliver, and we work hard to make that happen. Since programs operate in real-world conditions, activities may change due to weather, health and safety factors, transportation, site availability, or local circumstances.
If plans need to change, our team will use its judgment to adjust the schedule while prioritizing student safety and preserving the program’s purpose and quality.
Will my child have unsupervised time?
Students have structured independence during free-time with staff always nearby. There is no fully unsupervised time in public areas.
Can you accommodate dietary needs & food allergies?
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and common dietary restrictions accommodated with advance notice. All dietary needs collected during enrollment and shared with meal providers.
How much spending money?
$150–200 recommended. Tipping is included, no extra cash needed.
Do we need a visa?
U.S. citizens don’t need a visa for South Korea, but travelers from other countries might. Contact Rustic Pathways for advice on visa requirements.
Support
What if my child gets homesick?
Homesickness can be common over the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well prepared. Read how Rustic Pathways combats homesickness →
Do you support neurodiverse students?
Rustic Pathways welcomes all students and works with families to provide appropriate support. Share any relevant information during enrollment so staff can prepare. Learn about Rustic Pathways’ approach to inclusion →
Is This the Right Fit?
Which students thrive on this program?
Students who love K-pop, K-beauty, Korean food, or fashion, and those simply curious about Korean youth culture. This program is built for teens who are social, curious, and ready to explore a city on foot and by subway.
What does a typical day look like?
Days start with breakfast at the guest house or a local café, then move into neighborhood exploration. Each day is anchored by a distinct district of Seoul to experience youth street culture, beauty and fashion, history and tradition, and shopping and street food. Afternoons include hands-on cultural experiences, local dining, and free time to explore with the group. Evenings close with dinner at a Korean restaurant, food market, or street food alley.
Who might this program not suit?
Students who prefer quiet countryside environments, unstructured time, or significant solo independence. This is a fast-paced city program with a full daily schedule and shared group accommodations. Students who are uncomfortable with long days of urban walking, shared rooms, or trying unfamiliar foods may find the pace challenging.
Why This Destination?
Why Seoul?
Seoul is the origin point of K-pop, K-beauty, and Korean street food culture. There is no better place to understand these movements than the neighborhoods where they were born: Hongdae’s underground music scene, Gangnam’s beauty corridors, and Myeongdong’s cosmetic streets. Seoul is also consistently rated among the safest major cities in the world for independent travel, with clean public transit and a highly connected infrastructure.
Why spring break?
Late March to early April is cherry blossom season in Seoul. Temperatures are mild (45–68°F / 7–20°C), cherry blossoms begin to bloom across the city’s parks and palaces, and Korean spring street culture is at its most vibrant. The 2027 program runs Sunday, April 4 to Friday, April 9, which matches spring break for Palo Alto Unified and Atlanta Public Schools.
What cultural depth is built into this program?
Beyond the beauty shops and cafés, students dress in hanbok and photograph themselves at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Korea’s most iconic royal complex. They walk Bukchon Hanok Village’s 600-year-old lanes, visit an educational organic market, and hear from local staff about Korean history, contemporary youth identity, and the role of creativity in Korean society. The K-beauty and fashion experiences are contextualized within this broader cultural understanding.
