<p>Hey guys, I'm looking at suggestions for programs this summer that take me abroad. So far I'm really interested in the Where There Be Dragons China language-intensive program, and slightly interested in the Life on the Mekong Rustic Pathways one (heard mixed reviews.) Do you have any other suggestions for programs like this? I am 18 will be going to college in the fall, I'm not looking to be around too many high school freshman, so a program geared at a higher age or one closer to mine is better. I like the group travel, the homestays, and the language focus, as well as going somewhere awesome. Can you think of any other programs? Thanks.</p>
<p>Hey there! </p>
<p>My name is Connor and I actually work for Rustic Pathways! Our Come with Nothing programs are actually one of our unique and highly rated programs… although I <em>always</em> encourage people to ask themselves what they want out of an experience abroad before going on of these trips (we have CWN in Laos and in Thailand). The idea of traveling overseas with just the clothes on your back and a passport in your pocket really requires you to be open to new experiences, to push your boundaries, and be ready for an adventure on a really rural and rugged experience. I think some people get entranced with the idea of doing the program… but when they come on trip they are a bit flabbergasted when there isn’t hot water showers every day in the village, there are not always electrical sockets in the villages, and they really are traveling in remote villages and sleeping in huts. It’s a truly remarkable program if you want that experience… if you think that it will somehow be an “easy version” of that idea, it’s not, and I could see why you’d get a little cranky on the trip in a three-week rugged service trip. </p>
<p>Rustic Pathways also has a phenomenal Chinese Langauge Immersion program in China. We are actually uniquely positioned at Dali University- a university that is renowned around the country for its quality education… we’re just extremely lucky to get some of the best professors because our summer programs also line up with the school’s breaktime when Dali students are home for the summer Holidays. While the program itself is not home-stay based, it definitely highlights immersion and becoming a part of the city of Dali during your time there. Additionally, if you stay longer than two weeks you have the option to add on one-week installments of living with Home Stay families in the area. </p>
<p>Lastly- one of the most unique things about Rustic Pathways is that all of our programs are designed to interconnect with one another. You could even connect the Chinese Language Immersion program with a Come With Nothing experience! It’s also a great option to interconnect trips together within China. We have a lot of students ever year who will do several weeks on the Language program and then tack on an experience over at the Panda Conservation center or working with rural villagers on the Shaxi Village Experience program. It’s an awesome way to get your hands dirty a little bit, interact with the locals (even on the panda program, you’re interacting with your Panda Master all throughout the day!), and use your language skills out in the field while exploring other interests. We’ve also added a two-week Service/Arts program in Shangri La this summer, it’s going to be a great new trip in China! </p>
<p>I personally worked in China this summer, so I’m more than happy to answer questions out of my personal experience there if you’re curious. I can also put you in touch with people that were participants on any of the above mentioned programs if you’d like to chat with someone who directly participated on the program. And just as a heads up, I just double checked our current sign ups, and 2/3 of our Come With Nothing: Mekong programs are sold out and half of our CWN: Thailand programs are sold out, so if you’re interested in those trips, it’s definitely a good idea to get your questions answered soon, talk to previous students if you’d like, and sign up to reserve a spot! Feel free to message me any time at <a href="mailto:Connor@rusticpathways.com">Connor@rusticpathways.com</a>, and wherever you go this summer… have an awesome time! Truly some great programs and opportunities out there in the world and there simply isn’t a better way to spend your last few weeks before starting college in the Fall!</p>