Location
Multiple Locations +3
  • Vietnam
  • Cambodia
  • Thailand
Length
4 - 26 weeks
Need-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, 529 Plan eligibility, BIPOC funding

Program Details

Activities
Animal Viewing Boating City Exploring Farming Hiking Kayaking Remote Exploring Sailing Scuba Diving Sightseeing Swimming
Timeframe
Fall Spring
Housing
Boat Guesthouse Host Family Hostel Hotel Lodge Sleeper Train
Primary Language
English
Age Min.
17
Age Max
20

Pricing

Starting Price
15000
Price Details
Program tuition includes accommodations, ground transportation, food, and activities once participants are in-country. All airfare is additional.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Some Equipment Meals Park Fees Transportation Travel Insurance
What's Not Included
Airfare SIM cards Visa
May 18, 2023
Oct 30, 2023
54 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Leave the traditional classroom far behind, as we journey to the heart of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. Our Southeast Asia Gap Semester is a unique blend of education, projects, and exploration of these intriguing and ancient cultures. Our exclusive access to people and places, developed over decades, gives us a window into aspects of Southeast Asia rarely experienced by outsiders. In Vietnam, we work with youth affected by Agent Orange in their daily activities. While exploring Cambodia, we get our hands dirty building and installing bio-sand filters for families in rural villages outside Siem Reap. We partner with local conservationists at an Elephant Nature Reserve deep in the jungle to understand the true value of conservation as we care for Thailand’s indigenous elephants. Standing knee-deep in rice paddies with our host families, we discover a way of life that has remained virtually unchanged.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

ARCC Programs believes that social responsibility is an essential aspect of our programming and business operations. We strongly believe that cultural immersion, cross-cultural conversations, and reflection on these experiences can increase self-awareness, promote empathy, and foster growth. We recognize that our staff, student, and participant body is not as diverse as we would hope. We also recognize that there are inherent imbalances in access, particularly when it comes to international travel and outdoor experiences. Recognizing the current imbalances and accessibility issues within the world and more specifically within experiential/outdoor education/gap year programs, we are able to move towards a more just and inclusive world.

ARCC is committed to increasing accessibility for our programs and supporting socioeconomic diversity within our community. ARCC’s Voyagers Scholarship provides up to five scholarship opportunities per semester to students who identify within the BIPOC community. These scholarships can range anywhere from $5,000-$8,000, and also includes gear lending and mentorship support throughout the gap year experience. The Voyagers Scholarship can also be combined with ARCC Financial Aid. If you are interested in applying, please reach out to gap@arccprograms.com.

LGBTQIA+ Support

ARCC Programs believes that social responsibility is an essential aspect of our programming and business operations. We strongly believe that cultural immersion, cross-cultural conversations, and reflection on these experiences can increase self-awareness, promote empathy, and foster growth. We recognize that our staff, student, and participant body is not as diverse as we would hope. We also recognize that there are inherent imbalances in access, particularly when it comes to international travel and outdoor experiences. Recognizing the current imbalances and accessibility issues within the world and more specifically within experiential/outdoor education/gap year programs, we are able to move towards a more just and inclusive world.

Neurodivergent Support

Our Essential Eligibility Criteria outlines the requirements for participation in our programs to determine if our programs are a good fit for each student. While ARCC Gap is not a therapeutic program, we do provide an inclusive environment for students with neurodivergence. We have had students with various diagnosed neuro-differences (such as dyslexia, ADHD, ASD, TS, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, etc) find success on our gap semester programs.

During our interview process, we have open communication with students and families about the support ARCC instructors are able to provide students while on program. For students needing some additional support, we ask them to complete a “Plan of Action” with their at home support system. These plans may include additional information about communication/support preferences, coping strategies, and/or specific requirements to encourage the student to engage with the program effectively. Once on the program, our instructors will periodically check in individually with each student, help the student stay accountable to their Plan of Action, and provide general support to all participants.

Accessibility Support

ARCC Gap Travels to locations around the world that have varying levels of accommodations for students needing accessibility support. For this reason, please see our Essential Eligibility Criteria to see if our gap programs are a good fit for you.

Whenever possible (determined by specific location and program - ie. infrastructure, access to specific health care facilities, dietary options available, etc), we have successfully assisted students with anaphylactic allergies, chronic medical conditions, and other accommodations on programs. We recommend that you reach out with specific concerns to your Gap Director to find the right fit for you.

Impact

Sustainability

At ARCC Programs we recognize that all human action impacts our physical environment and the living beings on the planet. Everything on Earth plays a role in supporting life and we believe that it is our responsibility to have a net positive impact with our actions. We strive to balance the impacts of our programming by partnering with communities and organizations with similar goals toward bettering our planet for future generations.

Ethical Impact

ARCC believes that we (as an industry) need to shift the way we think about international service. We (as a society) have now come to realize that international volunteers often benefit from their service experience, while the impact on the community can be short-lived or even harmful. We at ARCC are taking the years of experience that we have in the international service learning realm, have reflected on previous mistakes, learned from our in-country partners, and have made changes. Our goal is to live, work, and learn alongside community members while also making a positive impact. We are committed to partnering with local community-driven organizations to focus on reciprocity while contributing to established long-term projects. It is our responsibility to engage in mutually beneficial community-driven projects and teach fair trade learning principles to our students.

Program Highlights

  • Explore Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, and other Bustling Urban Centers
  • Study Public Health by Examining the Effects of Agent Orange While Working with Youth in Hanoi
  • Impact Lives While Installing Clean Water Filters in Homes in Cambodia
  • Become SCUBA Certified on the Thai Island of Koh Tao and Help Restore the Reef
  • Examine the Complexities of Elephant Sanctuaries and Rehabilitation in Thailand

Scholarships

ARCC Gap Financial Support

A gap year is something that we hope to make accessible for all students and ARCC works to level the playing field so that all applicants may have a successful opportunity for education, travel, growth, and self-discovery post-high school. We strive to uphold these pillars of our organization through a variety of means. Each year ARCC Gap awards financial aid to support students who would otherwise be unable to cover the full cost of tuition. Additionally, ARCC is committed to increasing accessibility for our programs and supporting socioeconomic diversity within our community. ARCC’s Voyagers Scholarship provides up to five scholarship opportunities per semester to students who identify within the BIPOC community. These scholarships can range anywhere from $5,000-$8,000, and also includes gear lending and mentorship support throughout the gap year experience. The Voyagers Scholarship can also be combined with ARCC Financial Aid

Program Reviews

4.91 Rating
based on 35 reviews
  • 5 rating 91.43%
  • 4 rating 8.57%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.7
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 4.8
  • Value 4.75
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 35 reviews
Default avatar
Elizabeth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

ARCC Southeast Asia

I loved exploring a whole different part of the world with an amazing group who instantly felt like family. I’ve got to have unique experiences that I would have never had without being on an ARCC semester. I have learned so much and had the most amazing and thought provoking conversations that has made me learn and grow so much. The partners in country were so helpful in teaching us everything we needed to know and making our trip so fun. I would definitely recommend this program for anyone interested in learning and exploring southeast asia.

49 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
chloe
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Love SEAS!

Such an incredible experience! I’ve learned and grown so much this semester and it was one of the best decisions I could have made before going to college. There wasn’t a day that went by that wasn’t filled with laughter games and deep conversations! I’ve learned so much about South East Asia and feel much more prepared for travel in the future. I could not imagine spending this semester any other way. Being able to watch my group grow together and support each other is something I will never forget. I could not recommend this program enough!

48 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Samantha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

ARCC SEAs 2023

AMAZING EXPERIENCE!! It’s hard to sum up in words the impact a gap semester has on you - but I truly am changed for the better because of this program. ARCC leaders facilitate a community in which every person is valued - as well as opened up a space within our group to discuss hard topics that were prevalent in the area of the world we were in. ARCC curriculum allowed us to go through this trip whilst also being conscious about our place in the world. My leaders Becca and Gillian were truly the best and I am so excited to continue our friendship after this trip. I gained lifelong friends and gained so much insight into who I want to be as a person. ARCC has inspired me to travel through the world whilst also learning. I am now a lifelong learner - so thank you ARCC!!

Best 70 days ever!!

53 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Charlotte
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A semester to remember!

An electric experience! 10/10 would recommend doing this program it absolutely changed my life. My perspective has changed so much while on this gap semester and I’ve met friends for life. I’ve seen so many amazing sights I never would have been able to see ordinarily and I’m so little time too. The trip may seem ling but it truly flies by faster than you can imagine. I learned so many interesting and slightly bizarre facts. We formed so many amazing traditions that I will not let go of soon. I will truly miss this amazing group of people.

56 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Maya
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible Experience!

The opportunities that this trip has opened for me are incredible! Rarely have I been able to actively see my perspectives growing like they have here. The bond I have created with the group will stick with me for years to come. I have learned many things about myself and a part of the world I love. The people I have met, the moments I have experienced, and the things I have learned make this one of the most beautiful moments in my life. No doubt there were difficulties but I have no regrets! I highly recommend!

Pros
  • Learning how to work in a group
  • Broadening perspectives
  • Cultural exchange
Cons
  • Uncomfortable living situations at times
57 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Allie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I💜SEAS23

This gap semester changed my life!! I made forever friends and learned things I never expected. For example, whales used to have legs and now just have hips. Additionally, I absolutely loved working with all of ARCC’s consciously-selected partners and seeing beautiful new environments. As they say, “Not all who wander are lost.” This organization is truly so well run and supportive, and I can’t imagine having started off my gap year in any other way.

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

51 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Gabrielle
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GO SEAS 23

Amazing guided experience. This program gave me lifelong friends, an education I couldn’t get anywhere else, and a space to work on self growth. The program is filled with a perfect mix of volunteering like making water filters for local families, tourism like Angkor wat and cat ba island, and eduaction on topics like the Khmer Rouge and Vietnam war. My trip was filled with amazing conversations and many fun games in the our free time. My group shared lots of laughs, fun adventures, and some serious talks that helped us all learn and grow as people. AND AMAZING FOOD!!

Pros
  • Once in a lifetime experience
  • New friends
Cons
  • Little alone/down time
51 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Matthew
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

SEAS 2023 5/5

A great experience for those looking for some time off in a new culture, as it offers a electric time that provides an entirely new perspective to things such as voluntourism, culture shock, and re entry to a community after such a long time abroad. I highly recommend this for people looking for a life changing time of their lives, with people who will change your life forever. Our incredible leaders and esteemed guides made the trip and unforgettable experience and that goes highly recommended. as one of our students said “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”

Pros
  • Entirely new place with new experience
  • A world outside your window
  • A chance to connect with people all across the world
Cons
  • Solid!
54 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

Yes there were a lot of photo and video opportunities. We had a group go pro that our leaders and members of the group used to capture moments through out the semester.