ARCC Gap: South America - Peru & Patagonia

Name: ARCC Gap: South America - Peru & Patagonia
Brand: ARCC Programs
SKU: 14785
Rating: 4.72 (46 reviews)

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4.72 Rating

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Location

Multiple Locations +2

Peru
Chile

Length

4 - 26 weeks

Program Tags

Adventure Travel College Credit Conservation Cultural Immersion Hands-On Learning Language Immersion Post-High School Social Justice Study Abroad Volunteer Abroad Wilderness +1

Need-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, 529 Plan eligibility, BIPOC funding

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Program Details

Activities

Animal Viewing Backpacking Boating Camping City Exploring Farming Hiking Kayaking Rafting Remote Exploring Sightseeing Swimming Trekking

Timeframe

Fall Spring

Housing

Guesthouse Host Family Hostel Hotel Tent

Primary Language

English

Age Min.

Age Max

Pricing

Starting Price

16000

Price Details

Program tuition includes accommodations, transportation, food, and activities once participants are in-country. International airfare is additional.

What's Included

Accommodation Activities Some Equipment Meals Tour Guide Transportation

What's Not Included

Airfare SIM cards Travel Insurance Visa

Last Updated: May 18, 2023

Last Reviewed: Apr 23, 2023

Wish List

33 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Adventure and education collide during our journey through the lush jungles, snow-capped peaks, and enchanting sites of Peru and Patagonia. Treading in the footsteps of the Inca, we gain insight into an ancient culture as we explore the famous ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru. Setting up camp in a remote community in the Sacred Valley of Peru, we get hands-on experience understanding the important role that llamas play in environmental conservation and sustainability in the region. Embarking on a rafting trip down the famed Futaleufu River, we experience some of Patagonia’s most exhilarating rapids. Settling into a homestay on a traditional estancia, we immerse ourselves in the Chilean gaucho way of life. Exploring the effects of climate change on the melting glaciers in Patagonia we understand the complex conservation issues facing Patagonia. Embarking on a five-day trek amidst the towering peaks and glacial lakes of the famous Torres del Paine National Park, we are awed by the beauty.

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Video and Photos

ARCC Gap South America: A Beautiful Scene in Peru

ARCC Gap South America: Visiting Machu Picchu

ARCC Gap South America: Trekking in Peru

ARCC Gap South America: Teaching English in Peru

ARCC Gap South America: Visiting the Equator in Ecuador

ARCC Gap South America: Sea Kayaking in Lake Titicaca

ARCC Gap South America: Lago Carrera Patagonia

ARCC Gap South America: Gardening in Parque Patagonia

ARCC Gap South America: Rafting the Futaleufu River

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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

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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.

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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

Delve into South American Culture and Language During a Homestay
Volunteer on the Grounds of Parque Patagonia, Chile’s Newest National Park
Walk in the Footsteps of the Incas and Explore the Ancient Ruins of Machu Picchu
Trek in the Shadows of the Towering Peaks and Glacier of Torres del Paine
Raft the Exhilarating Turquoise Waters of the Futaleufu River in Patagonia

Program Reviews

4.72 Rating

based on 46 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Gap Year

5 rating 73.91%
4 rating 23.91%
3 rating 2.17%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Housing 4.5
Support 4.9
Fun 4.6
Value 4.6
Safety 4.9

Good for Students, Adventure travelers

Showing 1 - 8 of 46 reviews

Overall this program is a mix of extremely fun adventures and a lot of rule following. There are many things you get to do on this program that you wouldn’t be able to do solo travelling due to ARCC’s connections, however if you get stuck with a group you don’t connect with it’s going to be a long 70 days. Remember that the experiences you will get will be invaluable, but you will also be following others the entire journey which for me felt a bit restrictive and I would have preferred to do all these activities solo.

Pros

Spanish language learning
Cultural immersion

Cons

Group travelling

Truly an incredible program with outstanding people and amazing in-country partners and activities that make your experience way more than just a tourist trip- you’re connecting and traveling and experiencing so many things that you wouldn’t be able to without ARCC’s connections.

Additionally, ARCC’s semester has tons of adventure! You get to do some of the “instagrammed” touristy things that places are known for. Though, even more important, you get to do the adventure travel that isn’t crammed with hundreds of tourists- what i personally loved the most- where you’d be hiking or biking or doing something else with a local or community and connections are made and culture and values are exchanged.

Pros

adventure
cultural experience
personal and character growth

Cons

nothing!

This adventure was packed with opportunities for fun and unforgettable experiences. During the semester cultural immersion, community service, and building leadership were central to each leg of the journey. I loved the challenges, like our week backpacking the W-Trek, or organizing an entire week with my peers for the student planned module. Each week was like another world, between the dense Amazon rainforest, and the ashen slope of Cotopaxi volcano. Our instructors were enthusiastic, well traveled, and clearly valued our personal growth and allowed us the room we needed to take charge and learn. Although there were moments where I felt discomfort, perhaps due to unfamiliar circumstances, the powerful moments and once in a life time opportunities created something I would have never been a part of otherwise. Beforehand I didn’t have much interest in travel, but now with expanded horizons, I want to continue to visit and learn from locations around the world.

Pros

The program has many long term connections with local guides, communities, and establishments
You will obtain lots of experience with international travel
The structured nature of the program allows it to be completely packed with unique excursions

I had a very memorable and impactful time on my gap semester with ARCC. I made strong connections with many different people through home stays. This was definitely a highlight for me. I also got to participate in awesome activities in amazing places. Backpacking the W trek in Patagonia, surfing and snorkelling into the Galapagos, biking down Cotopaxi, I mean, come on! I also learned a lot about myself, how to achieve my best self, and be surrounded by good people. And I got to do it all in South America! A continent so rich in culture and adventure.

Pros

Culture immersion
Adventure
Making connections

Cons

Lack of 100% freedom
Sometimes uncomfortable
Access

When into this program kind of blind and it turned out to be one of the best trips of my life. My eyes were opened to new food, language, geography but most importantly people. The connections I built on this trip will last for a long time and the memories were priceless. If it’s your first time traveling without your family arcc is a great stepping stone into the world of travel and sets you up with great skills to manage common difficulties that must be faced when abroad. It is also very good if you want to study a new language as well

Pros

Fun
New experiences
Culture

Cons

Long
Travel illness

I think it was really good for me and I think the experience was valuable for me. I have very little I would change about it. South America has a lot to offer. I would do again if I could. Even though some things don't go according to plan it still feels like in the end the trip worked out. I enjoyed the different places we went to. Also it was nice getting to know the group and sharing memories and laughs. It made me certain on what I wanted to do after the program and continue my education in college.

Pros

culture
learning
fun

Cons

not always what you expect

I had such a good semester in South America. I experienced many new things including white water rafting, A homestay, weaving classes, language classes, and a group backpacking trip. I made many good friends. I tried new food and experienced many lenses of culture. My favorite activity was the student planned module where we were able to choose what we did throughout the week and where we stayed. The best part was a Via Ferrata day where we climbed up the side of the mountain and repelled down. The instructors were supportive and insured we had fun at every stop. Overall I recommend the South America semester. I believe it to be the most adventurous ARCC semester you could do.

Pros

Cultural immersion
Language immersion
Hiking and camping

ARCC gap programs was a great program that offers both international and domestic trips for students on a gap year. I went to Chile and Peru and had an awesome time. It was a 10 week program that first went to Patagonia in Chile and then to the Sacred Valley in Peru. It was a good introduction to outside living and activities while not being too intensive. It was incredible being able to visit places like Torres Del Paine national park and Machu Picchu. Overall I had a great time and would recommended this program to students looking to take a gap year.

Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because I wanted to see the world before attending a four year college. I wanted to see a side of the world that is not as fortunate as us in the U.S. I also wanted to see a side of the world that we, Americans, don’t really think about on a day-to-day basis. Honestly, if I had not decided to go on this long journey, I do not know if I would ever travel to the countries I traveled to.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

She assisted me with deciding what the best program for me was, and helped me narrow down what journey I really wanted to embark on the three entire months. On my own, I had to do my research on each programs' website I looked at and I had to set up an interview with ARCC and get that going so I could then go in the right direction.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Something I would say is to get out of your comfort zone while abroad and to make the most of every single day, even if it’s hard. Three major times I emerged from my comfort zone were zip-lining through the trees in Ecuador, Spanish school for a week in Costa Rica, and when I presented my final Capstone project to my group at the end of the trip. Looking back, I am so glad I did these things and got out of my comfort zone. When opportunities arose, I usually tended to take them, as not only because of the opportunity, but the chance to grow as a person.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

An average day would look like waking up at a scheduled time, going out to do some sort of service, then, in the afternoon, doing a group activity and then having meeting time with my group at night. Some days would be very hot and humid and long. Other days would not be so hot but would still be long. I loved each day because I was still out doing things I had never done before in my entire life.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear going into the trip was not knowing enough Spanish to get by. But I soon overcame that fear by attending Spanish school and then applying what I learned to each homestay or interaction with local people the rest of the trip. By the time I returned home, my Spanish had definitely improved that I could tell and I’m so glad it did, because that was a big goal of mine.

Can you share a story from the trip?

A little story I'dlike to share comes from a small community in the Andes mountains in Ecuador called Minas Chupa, Otavolo. During this week, my group played and interacted with the locals, went on long hikes, and helped construct a meeting place for the locals, because they did not have one prior to that. After this week there, I made the closest friendships with the children there, some of the most heart-warming relationships I have ever made in my life and I teared up just a little when it was time to leave them.

Willa Imhoff

2015 Alum

Maddie Dismuke

2014 Alum

Meredith Burke

2014 Alum

Maddie Dismuke

2014 Alum

Brett Clark

2014 Alum

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Johanna Fischer

Program

ARCC Gap: South America - Peru & Patagonia

Job Title

Trip Leader

Johanna Fischer is originally from the Boston area and got her BA in Psychology and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Rochester in 2010. Since then, she has spent over three years living, teaching, traveling and leading trips throughout various parts of Latin America, including Ecuador, Mexico, Costa Rica and Peru. She loves speaking Spanish, hiking, and being totally immersed in Latino culture.

What position do you hold at ARCC and why do you like working there?

Johanna: I have worked with ARCC as a Trip Leader for their Costa Rica Language and Service Program and most recently as a Gap Instructor for Gap Latin America 2014. The opportunity to work with ARCC, particularly as a Gap Instructor, was an incredible privilege and challenge that gave me the chance to show a group of recent high school grads why service and cultural immersion are such amazing and powerful experiences.

I loved having the opportunity to help design the curriculum we used throughout the semester. ARCC helps to provide its leaders, and thus its students, with an amazing leadership development experience that really helps each individual to push their limits in a new environment, helping to achieve personal growth.

What is one thing you would tell any future gapper?

Johanna: Just do it! So many of my kids expressed that coming on the trip was one of the hardest things they had ever done - literally the act of getting on the plane was incredibly difficult for them. But despite any difficulties throughout, they all expressed that this was one of the best decisions they had ever made.

We grew as a group and as individuals and our eyes were opened to the realities of the world around us. If you're afraid, that's ok, and all the more reason to dive right in. Nothing worth doing is ever easy, but it's a fun and wild ride.

What is the level of cultural immersion your gappers receive?

Johanna: My gappers were impressed with the level of immersion on our course, and they consistently expressed how much they loved it the more immersed we were. We stayed with families three times throughout our course, as well as several community stays, and any lack of plumbing or electricity made the experience all the better.

Students were able to practice their Spanish with their host families, learn how to farm cacao in the jungle, and dance with their host parents around a fire at a community party. Without a doubt, we lived up close and personal with the communities we worked with.

What would you tell a parent who's reluctant to send their kid abroad?

Johanna: We live in an world that is increasingly connected, and ARCC Gap semester's are lead by instructors with on the ground experience who know how to facilitate an experience that will be safe, yet expansive, so that your child will be able to use what they learn on their trip and apply it towards their future.

Even if your child is challenged by the experience, the difficulties will make them a better person, a better student and a more engaged citizen. These life experiences expand the mind in ways that help gappers to find their path, increase their maturity and generally feel more inspired to seize life by the horns.

Plus, in seeing the realities of the outside world, they will probably develop a new appreciation for what you have provided for them - and that is never a bad thing!

What is one common misconception about taking a gap year?

Johanna: There is often a perception that any gap or community service program will not be doing "real" service that actually benefits the community. However, many of my students expressed surprise at the legitimacy of the service projects that we did - actually connecting with the community, working directly with it's members, we made a real difference in the lives of those people, and they made a difference in our lives.

ARCC has longstanding relationships with its service partners in countries all over the world, and ARCC takes its impact seriously. Gap students will work hard and they will think critically about what they are doing. A gap year is not a vacation - it is better because it is a true opportunity to grow and engage with people and environments that are totally new and different

About ARCC Programs

ARCC has been offering summer and gap programs for young adults since 1983. We offer an opportunity to live and learn in some of the greatest classrooms on earth. Our programs take students on a journey of discovery of local peoples, places, cultures and ideas through project-based learning, rich cultural immersion, personal reflection and...