Program Reviews

One of the most lifechanging experiences a person can have is traveling. Traveling has the ability to open your eyes to the diversity of the world. Traveling gives you the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and revel in the beauty of nature. Traveling allows you to meet new people and discover new ways of life. Traveling lets you explore and have adventures, and escape your ordinary day-to-day life.
My trip to Thailand with Rustic Pathways allowed me to do all of those things, and more. I feel as though I am a more well-rounded person having traveled with Rustic. I feel I am a more globally educated and connected citizen, and a more environmentally conscious human being. Not only that, but I had the time of my life and made new friends whom I still talk to every week, even several months later. There's more to tell, but it's best to discover it yourself by traveling, too!
Rustic Pathways has many different fantastic programs to fit all types of travelers. They do a fantastic job with risk management and safety, hire caring, intelligent staff, and give their students the best of the best experiences. I am so, SO glad I traveled with Rustic to Thailand, and hope to take more Rustic trips soon!

Instead of sitting around on the couch this summer, I wanted to make a difference. My Rustic Pathways trip changed my life and opened my eyes. I found a love in community service and helping others. I see the Earth, not as a thing, but my home that we need to save. I loved working at the kid's camp and creating bonds with the children. I enjoyed learning about different cultures and the history of the Dominican Republic. I really enjoyed working with FUNDEMAR, and organization dedicated to saving the coral reefs. I learned so much on this trip and I grew passionate about saving the ocean and the coral reefs. I can't thank Rustic Pathways and my Program Leaders enough for giving me the experience I got. I want other people to have the same opportunity I had.

On this program we built a kitchen for the primary school and I loved working on one main service project the entire time because we got to see our major progress and impact. We also got to teach English in the school which was amazing. The local children are so fun, kind, and curious. We would play with them for hours upon hours after our service was completed. On this trip you get to participate in so many cultural experiences such as going to the local Church, cooking with the local Mama's, having an interview with the elders of the community, walking to the nearest water source with donkeys, etc. It is such an immersive experience and a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the real side of Tanzania, a truly beautiful country filled with amazing culture and people.

Through my rustic pathways trip to Fiji, I was able to discover a new culture, new people from all around the world, and be part of something bigger than myself. As soon as I got to the eco-lodge my first year, I immediately felt a part of a new community and knew I was not alone in this new adventure I was going to take on. I felt so welcomed by the Fijian community that I even went back the following year! Today, I am still in touch with the friends that I made this summer and two summers ago, even though we all live on the opposite sides of the US. If I could go back in time, I would have loved to know about rustic pathways as a younger student so that I could have gone on more trips before college. Community service has always been something I’ve loved doing, and being able to do it in such a wonderful and special country was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

My name is Madelyn Jenkins and I am 17 years old. I went on the Rustic Pathways “Ultimate Asia” trip when I was 15 years old. I had been on two other trips to Costa Rica and Hawaii with another company, but I had been dying to see different parts of the world and their cultures. My trip took me to China, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. It was the best 3 weeks of my life and the best decision I have ever made. I walked the Great Wall of China, taught students English in Thailand, worked with Elephants in Laos, and biked through the Angkor Wat temples in Cambodia. Those are just a few examples of the amazing experiences I had on my Rustic trip. There were only 2 other girls on my trip, and 6 guys. We were a smaller group, but that allowed us to bond so much better. I was the youngest on my trip, which was intimidating at first. But instead of my age being a hinderance, the students on my trip made it seem like it was an advantage. I got to learn from my peers who were older than me, and it allowed me to mature in a way I’m not sure would have been possible in a group of peers my own age. The girls became like my older sister and the guys like my brothers, we all became a big family by the end of the 3 weeks. I also got some of the best trip leaders I’ve ever had. Mary and Josh were my main leaders, and they helped us through every tough time, and encouraged us to get out of our comfort zones and try new things. I tried foods I never thought I would, and participated in activities that would have otherwise terrified me. I learned leadership, confidence, and independence. It was such a comfortable and safe space that I could be 100% myself without judgement, which is a huge deal when you are in high school. I urge anyone who is looking for the adventure of a lifetime to seriously consider Rustic Pathways. I will say these trips aren’t for everyone though. I would recommend an open mind, flexibility, and easy going spirit. At the end of the day you are a part of a team and community, so being able to thrive in a group is crucial. If those characteristics fit you, then Rustic Pathways is the place for you.

This past summer I went to the Dominican Republic with Rustic Pathways. It was not only life-changing but probably the most fun I have ever had. I learned so much and found a love of the ocean. Every hour of community service we did I felt so useful. I felt like I was finally doing something important and something that will help many people. I am so happy I got to go on this trip and I recommend this trip to everyone. I loved learning about the Dominican Republics' history and culture because that's something I haven't learned in school yet. A highlight of the trip was running a kids camp and meeting the children. It's crazy how I created special bonds with so many kids and we didn't even speak the same language. It showed me I can be friends with anyone and everyone. I'm so glad I signed up for this trip and found Rustic Pathways. It is an amazing program that I will never forget.

This trip was incredibly impactful, not only on the communities we were serving, but on me as well. Going to Thailand has always been on my bucket list, so when I saw that Rustic Pathways, a company I had previously traveled with to Australia, I was so excited. The base house we stayed at was in a rural village outside of the city Udon Thani, so we got to experience village life in our own compound. This trip was extremely rewarding. We completed different service projects every day (except for the weekend when we went to Laos for some fun) alongside of native Thai children and adults. If you go on this trip, be prepared to work, but it will be the most rewarding, impactful, and life changing experience. You play in Thailand as well with a huge pool at the base house, playing soccer with the local kids, mall excursions, and a muy thai lesson. Some of the service projects we did were building concrete walkways for monasteries and schools, cooking meals for families in the village and at a hospital, painting the walls outside a monastery, and teaching kids and teens English. To me, the most eye-opening service we did was bringing food to a hospital for the families of sick people to eat while they take care of their loved ones due to the deficit of doctors. The grateful looks I received from those people is something I will never forget. In the moment on this trip, you may be challenged and tired, but this trip will change your view point and leave you with a newfound gratefulness for the life you live.

Laos was my favorite place I have ever been. Luang Prabang is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The community in this little town is so welcoming and the kindest people in the world live here. While I was here I gotta feed the monks, one day we took a boat to caves and got to explore them and learn about past history. It was amazing to listen to all of the history and how the caves where founded. In order to get to the caves we took and 2 hour private boat ride down the river and saw wild elephants on the side of the river. This river that runs through Laos in the Mekong River. Luang Prabang is in the mountains of Laos and is kind of like a little village. Not only did we get to experience the caves we also went to waterfalls and got to swim in them. The waterfalls in Laos are blue lagoons with crystal clear water with little fish. It was amazing to see the waterfalls and wildlife surround it. Our guide in Laos was so welcoming and introduced us to many different people in his community, every is welcoming here they feel like family. One night we hiked to the top of a temple and watched the sunset behind the mountain and it was the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen.

Rustic Pathways in the Dominican Republic was the single greatest experience of my life. I worked on a project where the entire group consisted of girls in a community that was very oriented on men doing the labor work. At the end of our trip and the last day of service, we sat with the community to talk about our time there. The men helping us on our project talked about how impressed they were with our work and how as the only group of all girls, we got the most work done of any other group. Every part of Rustic Pathways embodies unity and trust. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my summer than working with Rustic Pathways. No community or program will ever compare to the experiences and memories that come from going on one of their programs.

Upon arriving at the airport, we had no idea where we were going until they printed our boarding passes which left the trip as a true mystery. Every day we would wake up to a new activity or a new town and would have no idea what future days would be like. Every day was different and exciting in its own way. This also led to a super cool group of kids that were up for anything. Every night we would bond over where we thought we were going next, or what the next activities would be. The mystery trip truly took me out of my comfort zone and for two weeks I truly lived in the moment without worrying about what was going to happen in the future. I got to enjoy every day to the fullest. I think on other trips, you have one memory or something you are looking forward to the most, but on the mystery trip, I got to enjoy every moment. The staff is also super unique on this trip. Overall, I loved the on-the-go and living in the moment that I experienced on this trip. Also, because it was new to the staff, Rustic Pathways, and all of us, we were all learning and experiencing things together. I'm so glad I picked this trip, I had the best time. The Rustic Pathways Mystery Trip is so unique and one of the best things I have ever gotten to do.