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

Financial Support

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

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

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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 17 - 24 of 46 reviews

This was my second semester with ARCC. I had another amazing experience! I grew as a leader, as an individual, and as a student. The leaders were very supportive and connected with everyone on the trip. My group had a mix of some very active and less active members. In addition, since this trip was abroad, there was a mix of camping and staying at hostels. We stayed at many unique locations where we were able to get to know the locals while having an amazing experience at the place we were staying. Overall, it was an amazing experience and I would recommend this trip to anyone on the fence.

What would you improve about this program?

My only feedback is very minor, but it would be about our time in Chile. This year, during Covid, we did not have the opportunity to go to Ecuador. Therefore, the time spent in Chile was extended. In Peru, we were able to really dive deep into the culture and the communities. In Chile, we stayed in less places and for longer periods of time. This led to some more relaxed and open days. During the week of quarantine in Chile, we stayed on a ranch. We worked on the ranch for one day and went for one hike. The days were left open for the students to plan activities. This was great for self-growth, but I wish the days had some more meaningful experiences.

I loved my ARCC trip to South America; we got to visit so many amazing places and meet great people. I really enjoyed the cultural immersion aspect, ARCC has really strong connections to the local communities which allowed us to dive deep into the culture and learn so much from the people we met along the way. The staff was super supportive all around and the itinerary took us all around Peru and Patagonia to the most gorgeous places in nature. I highly reccomend ARCC for any student looking to learn more about themselves and the world around them.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

My advice to future ARCC students would be to really take advantage of every moment on your trip. It goes by so fast so it’s important to be present all the time and push yourself out of your comfort zone for the most rewarding experience.

This trip was absolutely amazing. We went to so many cool places and I made so many memories with my group. I loved getting to hike and see super cool mountains and ruins. This trip has changed my life. Opened my mind to so many new ways of thinking and broadened my view of the world. Getting to experience the cutures of where we went was truely an once in a life time experience and if given the opportunity I would do it again. I can’t stress how amazing this program is. I would highly recommend to all of my friends and anyone interested in a gap year.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

The most interesting thing I ate was Guinea pig. In Peru they call it Cuy and it was marinated in a local herb called wakatay. It was a very good experience and it was very tasty

The best part of the trip is the cultural experience and immersion. We got to explore a variety of unique aspects surrounding Chile and Peru such as the language, food, spirituality, and traditions. Overall it was a very diverse experience. I left feeling like I was able to get a well rounded view of the countries we visited and that we got to try a little bit of everything. For future participants, come prepared for altitude sickness with electrolytes, anti nausea medication, etc. and be sure to carefully filter water.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

The most unfamiliar / unique thing I at was guinea pig! (i’m a vegetarian)

I had so much fun! I did a lot of research on program types with different countries and landed on this one because of the intersection of outdoor exploration, cultural experience, and language exposure. I couldn’t be more glad with my decision! I loved the variety of things we got to do and how the program pushed me to do and try things that I wasn’t used to. The only thing I think could have been improved was that during the first month in Chile we had a lot of down time and then trip wasn’t as fast paced as it could have been. I feel like they could have fit more activities in the time that we were there. That being said, however, I was there during the spring of 2021 (COVID) and things were constantly changing and we had limited accessibility and opportunities and I am incredible grateful I had the chance to go at all!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

We ate guinea pig (cuy) in Peru and I tried alpaca as well! Both very new!

Best semester of my life. I was fully enrolled for my classes and registered to go back to college, but I am so glad I choose to do this program. I will remember this trip for the rest of my life, and will recommend this trip to any students interested in taking a semester or a year off. I made so many amazing connections and my leaders were the bomb.com and feel comfortable talking with them about anything I need too. The places we traveled too were amazing and the mountains I saw were incredible.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Hey man! Ya you! Don’t be afraid to try new things and keep an open mind about everything you come across. Get more comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Very structured. There was not a lot of alone time; but if you have a good group then you should be fine. a lot of adventure and long days but it’s worth it if your down for anything. i liked the outfitters that we had because they were really nice and they made the experience better because we learned about what we saw and did. I am extremely happy that i came on this program because it was a once in a lifetime experience and I now know what I like, love, and dislike. It got me comfortable with being uncomfortable.

What was your funniest moment?

The unplanned moments between you and your new friends. it can be as small as a new inside joke or as big as a deep conversation with the whole group.

First off: don’t pack jeans you’ll probably never wear them, despite with the list says. If you do pack two old pairs like I did, you can find somewhere to donate them along the way like I did! I say this first, because I hardly see the point in trying to sell this program, it sells itself! Working with sea turtles, hiking in the Andes, canoeing in Lake Titicaca, walking through Machu Pichu, the entire experience was incredible. ARCC prioritizes ethical, safe, and learning-based travel. Your money not only sends you on the trip of a lifetime, but also goes to help communities build meeting places in Ecuador and sends young women in Perú to school. Every experience, with the right attitude, could be framed to one of learnings and laughter. The leaders will care for you and look after you; they will do everything they can to help you succeed and stay healthy! There is a huge component that’s up to you: your attitude. You have to want to go on this trip, embrace living in close quarters with a group, and understand that the rules are for your safety. If you can understand and embrace all that, you will enjoy and laugh at every moment. Even the moments you don’t enjoy, you’ll still be able to laugh at the next day. I can’t recommend it enough. Perfect for people like me who plan to go to college in the spring, anyone who would like to go multiple places during their gap year, or spend a semester working and one traveling. It’s the only semester-long program I found in my research, but then again, I didn’t have to look much further since I already knew I found the perfect one from the descriptions and reviews. I wasn’t let down in the slightest.

What would you improve about this program?

The group has a lot of freedom to shape their experience in how they interact, make use of technology like cell phones, and their leaders are equipped to work with the group on communicating those ideas and desires. In short, the program is tailored to the needs and wants of each group that goes which is incredible! The improvement comes from then group, the trip itself is structured, but leaves the perfect amount of room for flexibility to try activities outside of the planned program.

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...

Program Details

Pricing

Program Highlights

ARCC Gap Financial Support

Alumni Interviews

Nick Flohr

Why did you choose this program?

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

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

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

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

Can you share a story from the trip?

Staff Interviews

Johanna Fischer

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

What is one thing you would tell any future gapper?

What is the level of cultural immersion your gappers receive?

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

What is one common misconception about taking a gap year?