Location
Multiple Locations +2
  • Fiji
  • Indonesia
    • Bali
    • Sumatra
Length
4 - 12 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 Rafting Remote Exploring Sailing Scuba Diving Sightseeing Snorkeling Surfing Swimming
Timeframe
Fall Spring
Housing
Boat Guesthouse Host Family Hostel Hotel Lodge Tent
Primary Language
English
Age Min.
17
Age Max
20

Pricing

Starting Price
15500
Price Details
Tuition includes all food, lodging, group activities, and in-country travel.

International Airfare Not Included
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Some Equipment Meals Park Fees Tour Guide Travel Insurance
What's Not Included
Airfare SIM cards Travel Insurance Visa
May 18, 2023
Apr 24, 2023
59 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Travel to and immerse yourself in the island lifestyles of Sumatra, Bali & Fiji. Trek deep into the Sumatran rainforest searching for the critically endangered orangutan. Assist in restoring age-old Bataknese Houses in a rural Sumatran while learning about traditional ways of living. Shadow workers in a Balinese cashew factory and witness how an impoverished village partnered with this social enterprise to great success. Learn to surf on Bali's legendary waves and participate in an all-day farm-to-table cooking class. Discover the Fijian lifestyle and be welcomed into the community by the local village chief. Spend time with Fijian children and gain insight into primary education. Lend a hand in a coral reef rehabilitation project alongside local university students. Get SCUBA certified in the turquoise waters of southern Fiji and much more on this 70-day service and adventure gap semester.

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

  • Track Orangutans Alongside Rangers and Conservationists in Sumatra
  • Learn About Island Life and Coffee Farming Through a Homestay at Lake Toba
  • Explore Ubud, Indonesia’s Spiritual Hub, and Take Surf Lessons in Uluwatu
  • Facilitate English Lessons in a Fijian Primary School While Living in a Traditional Bure
  • Become SCUBA Certified in Fiji's Turquoise Waters

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

5.00 Rating
based on 9 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.9
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Value 5
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 9 reviews
Default avatar
Georgia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

South Pacific Islands Gap Semester Arcc

I loved my experience on this gap semester. I’ve grown and learned so much. I could not recommend it enough. it has changed my life for the better. My favorite parts were meeting and connecting with the locals/ Arccs partners. Also the beauty of the South Pacific islands is unforgettable. I loved snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, surfing and any time we spent in the outdoors. I also was lucky enough to get amazing leaders. They were such inspiring role models and amazing friends. I have definitely left this semester a better, more empathetic and well rounded individual.

Pros
  • Cultural immersion
  • Beauty of the landscape
  • Amazing partners/ employees
Cons
  • Not enough time in Sumatra
49 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Anna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

ARCC Gap: Pacific Islands - Fiji, Sumatra & Bali, hosted by ARCC Programs.

This program was the most memorable experience I have had in my life. If you are considering doing a gap year program; I seriously encourage you to do ARCC gap programs. This program had not only an amazing cultural immersion element but a great educational element. I saw myself grow immensely during the 70 days in which I give a ton of credit to the group I was with as well as the leaders. This program has everything for every type of person including a bunch of physical activity such as hiking, swimming, surfing etc. and artistic/ educational activities like making pottery, going to historical sights, curriculum sessions etc.

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

ARCC Gap: Pacific Islands - Fiji, Sumatra & Bali, hosted by ARCC Programs.

I thought this experience was super fun and taught me so much about other cultures and ways of life. Also I’ve grown so much and learned many lessons from our partners and leaders. There were so many memories that I’ll hold dear forever such as, homestaying at Lake Toba and learning a traditional dance with the kids or seeing my first orangutan. One of my biggest take aways would be the friends we’ve made along the way on our travels and how it’s like we are all family after the adventures and memories we’ve made together.

Pros
  • Adventure
  • Learning about culture
  • Immersing yourself in a different style of life
Cons
  • Might be extreme for some
  • Not everywhere had AC
  • Very hot and humid
52 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
John
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

ARCC Gap: Pacific Islands - Fiji, Sumatra & Bali, hosted by ARCC Programs.

Everyone was so kind and helpful throughout the whole trip. There was always plenty of food and activities. There was also plenty of down time and time to spend for myself. My leaders were lots of fun and helpful throughout the trip they gave us plenty of space when needed and encouraged us to get out of our comfort zones. This trip would not be complete without both of my leaders. The Scuba activities were some of the best experiences I’ve ever had. It was so calming and eye opening. I’ve grown so much from this trip and will remember it forever.

Pros
  • Spending time with children
  • Eating lots of delicious food
  • Plenty of fun activities
Cons
  • Not everywhere had AC
  • The sun was really hot
49 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
James
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

ARCC Gap: Pacific Islands - Fiji, Bali, Sumatra, hosted by ARCC Programs

This semester was incredible! We went to Sumatra, Bali, and Fiji. All of our local partners were amazing. So nice, fun, and accommodating. Everyone was so friendly and the activities we did were super fun. We really got to experience these different cultures by living with locals, eating they’re food, and experiencing they’re traditions. Our leaders on the group were the best. They made the trip so great. This trip was the experience of a lifetime that exceeded all expectations. I feel it’s opened my eyes and helped me grow as a person. I feel more independent and confident after going on this trip.

Pros
  • Experience local cultures
  • Super fun activities
  • Learn about the environment
51 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Katrina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Katrina Hardy ARCC Pacific Islands

This trip was amazing! The cultures in Indonesia and Fiji are so special, and it was amazing to get to experience. The itinerary is amazing, and packs in so much fun stuff in a few months. The trip is very well planned, with amazing local partners facilitating immersive activities in Sumatra, Bali, and Fiji. We saw orangutans, which was an amazing, once in a lifetime experience. Also, the food is absolutely amazing! Be prepared to step outside of your comfort zone a little bit, but it will absolutely be worth it.

Pros
  • Amazing culture
  • Beautiful places and animals
  • Super fun itinerary
Cons
  • Lots of rice
  • Hot
  • Some culture shock
51 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Amelia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Is this a dream?

My gosh!! I cannot say this loudly enough... BEST GUIDES, BEST PLACES, BEST ACCOMMODATIONS, BEST EVERYTHING!! After first hearing that I had been selected to go on this trip, I had to pinch myself. Now being almost a year later, I pinch myself thinking "that did really did happen!" I cannot express enough through words how much this trip made me see the world through different eyes, believe in myself and learn that everything happens for a reason. I, 100% believe that from seeing wild orangutans 3 feet in front of you in Sumatra, to hiking to the most unbelievable waterfalls in Bali, and finally rafting through the most beautiful Fijian rivers, you will pinch yourself after your 90 days too!

110 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Emilie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Most Amazing Experience

When I decided to take a gap year, I had no idea what I was going to do. After some research and meeting some great ARCC employees, I knew this was perfect for me. While I was going through the ARCC catalogs and website, I knew I wanted to do the Pacific Islands trip. Thank goodness I did.
During this trip I did things that most people my age have never done. While in Fiji we stayed in an orphanage and played with the most amazing children. We also got to plant coral on the most beautiful private island! That was easily one of the most amazing experiences of my life. The Fijian people are the nicest, most caring people you will ever meet.
After 45 days in Fiji, we migrated to Sumatra, Indonesia. This was the highlight of the trip for me. We spent time planting rice on local rice farms, painting elementary schools, making coffee, and so much more. One of the most exciting things we did was tracking orangutans. We saw about ten in total. At lunch one day during the tracking, an orangutan came so close to us. There was a mama and a baby swinging on vines about five feet away from us!! The baby was so cute and tiny. He was even sticking his tongue out. It was incredible.
Once we were done in Sumatra, we traveled to another Indonesian island, Bali. This island had the most beautiful beaches. We started this trip off with a Student Planned Module which couldn’t have gone better. We spent weeks researching all the cool things in Bali that we wanted to do. Our group managed to do almost everything that we wanted. Once that was over, we spent two weeks in an East Bali Immersion program. It was amazing. Here we spent time working in a local cashew factory, while also working in a Preschool. Those kids were the sweetest. After that, we had the chance to explore the city of Ubud. Once we were done spending all our money, we spent our last few days surfing in Uluwatu.
During this trip I got pushed out of my comfort zone and got to experience more than most people my age. I don’t know one other person that could say they got to trek through the highlands of Fiji or scuba dive with sting rays in Bali.
In the beginning I was very hesitant. I have never been away from my parents for more than 2 weeks. I have also never been camping before, or even on a hike! As out of shape and unexperienced I was, I loved every second of it.
Thank you ARCC for giving me some of the best months of my life.

What was your funniest moment?
The funniest moment of this trip would have to be during one of the homestays in Sumatra. I was roomed with one of my very close friends on the trip.
One night she had to go to the bathroom really badly so she got up and walked to the bathroom. About two minutes later she comes back into our room and wakes me up to tell me she thinks she saw a headless chicken in the bathroom area. She then stated that she could hold it in and wait till tomorrow to go. Around five minutes later, she then tells me that she definitely cannot hold it. She saw a trash bag and decided to pee in that. Little did she know, she was missing the trash bag the whole entire time and was peeing on our ground. One she realized what was happening, she grabbed a bunch of wet wipes and tried cleaning it up. It was easily the funniest thing I have ever seen.
101 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers