ARCC Gap: Western U.S. - Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona & Hawaii

I had a great experience! It was so incredible traveling and exploring with the group. All of us got so close through the ups and downs of the trip. I feel like I have grown so much as a person during this experience. We have seen/ done so many amazing things that I will surely never forget. I am so grateful to have been able to participate in this trip. Everywhere we traveled to, ARCC had incredible partners that made the experience so valuable. If you are considering doing this program, get out of your comfort zone and do it!!

My review of the semester is overwhelmingly positive with some minor setbacks. I learned about topics I’ve always wanted to learn about and topics that I didn’t know that I wanted to learn about but was happy I did. I got out of my comfort zone and overall came out as a better person. my biggest challenges were personal challenges that may vary between each student. I feel that I have gotten so much closer to finding my passion and how I want to spend the rest of my life and what the best way to go about that is.

Taking a gap semester with ARCC was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The places we went were breathtakingly beautiful, and the way we experienced each place was much more meaningful than if we had each been traveling solo. ARCC does a great job of choosing partners to work with and helps students have an experience that is very educational without being academically strenuous. Fellow students are like minded, conscientious individuals, and the trip sets you up for bonding and making lifelong friends! It is truly special to watch each other grow and learn while growing a lot yourself. This trip taught me a lot about myself and helped me to become more comfortable in my own skin. Ultimately, if you love being outside, exploring cool new places all the time, funny van rides, and embracing the moment, you’ll definitely enjoy your gap semester!

I did the Northwest Fall trip. This experience was entirely new than anything I’ve ever heard or experienced. I personally was able to experience new things and meet new people with different experiences and wisdom which to me is the most valuable part of the program. The group dynamic was pretty good, but people get on each other’s nerves for such long periods of times. It gave me lots of ideas about future careers and gave me the guidance that college couldn’t. I would highly recommend taking a break if you feel unsure if your next steps- if a gap semester is too expensive look for workaway programs.

My gap semester was amazing. I think the friendships I formed and experiences I had will follow me into my adult life, and I am so grateful for them all. I got to not just visit, but fully experience and immerse myself in the places we traveled to all through the PNW and Hawaii. I learned so much, both about myself, the places we went to, and how I exist in the world. We also did so much fun stuff! Hiking, scuba diving, cultural workshops, and so much more. Truly the best 70 days of my life. I’ll never forget any of it!

As someone that didn’t know where to go after high school ARCC was an amazing and essential in finding out possible future careers. meeting new people and making lifelong connections either with my peers or with the partners/ organizations that we meet with. being able to get out of the state i live in and see the true beauty of the US and feeling as though i was on a different continent while not having left the north west US very much widened my view of the world we live in. I highly recommend ARCC in widening a persons perspective of the natural world and the people and cultures that live in it

This is an experience you will keep forever. No one else can understand how special it is. The places you see are absolutely worth it and beautiful. The people you will meet will become your best friends. Even if it can be scary do it! It will the best 70 days of your life. It will be hard yes. The hikes, sleeping outside, the weather, being with the same 14 people for 70 days but you make the best memories out of it. Only those people will understand it. You will grow and be the best version of yourself. You will the happiest when you go home after this crazy trip. But also really sad to leave your new friends. I 100% recommend it.

This semester has been really meaningful. I have learned so much and grown immensely. It has been really cool to be in such a tight knit community. We have done such a variety of activities which is something very unique to find in a gap semester. Also the leaders are amazing! I would recomend this semester for someone looking for a challenge, yet with support the whole time. I feel much more prepared for future endeavors and have gained an immense amount of confidence. I always felt very safe !