<p>You might also try The Experiment in International Living if you’re looking for an international program. They have a pretty serious financial aid program that can cover up to half of the program fee (which includes international airfare, which RP doesn’t)–about half their students get aid. They also have really solid community service programs in about a third of the programs.</p>
<p>We love Rustic Pathways - my D has done a couple of trips that have really helped her define what she wants to do in college. On one trip, she worked on a self-sustaining organic farm - it was the hardest work she has ever done but the most rewarding. This year she is going to teach English and save the turtles. </p>
<p>I disagree with the comments that adcoms look down on it. </p>
<p>Giving a young adult a window into a third world country and how people really live there is a gift. For my D, it helped her realize how wealthy and wasteful the US actually is, how things don’t bring happiness, and has given her ideas on how she can make a difference.</p>
<p>Why would anyone think that this is a bad thing? </p>
<p>There are very few service opportunities in our area because of budget cutbacks - you would think it would increase volunteer opps however there aren’t enough resources to supervise the young adults…it makes me crazy but that is just the way it is…that is why we looked into Rustic.</p>
<p>My D did a three-week service trip to Tanzania with Global Leadership Adventures following her sophomore year. [Global</a> Leadership Adventures | Teen Community Service Trips, Study Abroad, Youth Leadership | High School Summer Programs](<a href=“http://www.experiencegla.com/]Global”>http://www.experiencegla.com/) They also have service trips to many other countries. She found the kids on her trip to be rich and spoiled and not as “into” the program as she was, but, overall, we throught that program itself was very good. They got a good mix of true community srevice, cultural experiences, and leisure. She actual camped in the bush with the Masai. Whether it helped with her college admissions I do not know, but she did work her feelings about the experience into her main common app essay, and she did get admitted to some very good schools. Of course, she also had other good extra-curriculars, scores, and grades, but she did not really have lots of other community service, although she did have some. She also talked about the trip during some interviews, and none of the interviewers seemed to view the trip as a negative. She couched it as a venture outside of her comfort zone that helped her have more confidence taking risks. If you can afford it, I think these experiences are great, and I wish I could have done it when I was a teenager. Just make sure that you check out the company thoroughly. (I spoke to many of the parents and some of the prior participants via email before choosing this company.)</p>
<p>My 14 year old daughter is booked to go to Thailand with 2 friends this summer. I would really love to hear from anyone that has been on a RP trip to Thailand. Obviously I am concerned about safety issues but it seems RP has a good track record. Did any of you ever feel unsafe and are there any tips and advise you can offer? I’m hoping she will just have a fun and interesting experience.</p>
<p>I am eager to hear how the trip to Thailand goes. My soon-to-be 15 year-old REALLY wants to go on that trip next year. This summer she is going to Costa Rica (Turtle Conservation and Bri Bri Village).</p>
<p>Hi Sharejojo
My daughter leaves tomorrow.
Rustic have been really super efficient and reassuringly organised.
I’lllet you know how the trip goes.
regards</p>
<p>Polly</p>
<p>Hi Sharejojo
The Thailand trip was a fantastic success…she really enjoyed it and wants to go again next year. She did 72 hours of outreach community work in the 2 weeks she was there and had loads of fun. Mostly girls this time, mostly kids from the US and a good mix. Let me know if you want more details. Polly</p>
<p>Hi - My D just got back from her Rustic trip working with the turtles - it was also a big success…40 hours of service and lots of fun.</p>
<p>I know there are the “community service” programs, where surfing is worth 100 hours of service. But what about the real programs. You show up with one pair of clothes, you have to buy your own clothes in Thailand. Showers are buckets, a days work means making dams and building homes. And in the middle you are given 1,000 dollars between you and a group to decide how to benefit 3 villages in a long term project, like a library or medical center. Yes its a large amount of money, and it seems like its a “rich white boy” thing. But doesnt something like this sound like something an admissions officer would enjoy reading on an app. i mean your not surfing, your helping. Just wondering if this sounds like a real way to spend 4 grand to go overseas and really help?</p>