Rustic Pathways Reviews

Unforgettable, is how I would best describe my summer in Costa Rica. There are truly no other words to explain what I experienced. From working to create a camp for local "Tico" kids, to zip lining through marvelous forests. I had not even the slightest clue that this all existed. Being so enclosed in my everyday rituals and successions, I realized I had never really taken the time to embrace my surroundings and the world I live in. Without Rustic Pathways, up to this date I would have remained enclosed in my little imaginary bubble, unaware of the marvels our world contains. Thank you Rustic Pathways, for opening the world to me, for popping the little bubble I once wondered upon and demonstrating what a truly wonderful world we all live in. And thank you Rustic Pathways, for changing my life.

Marine and environmental monitoring was a trip that has honestly changed my life. It was not the marine monitoring, but living in Malakati village that was life changing. Living with the people of the village, you truely get the chance to live a life that is the complete opposite of yours. You become very close to the villagers, having tea and drinking kava. You become a part of the village and feel more like family than a visitor. During the day We would count fish populations and collect data from some of the healthiest reefs in the world. You really learn about human impact on reefs. After I returned home, I was inspired to become more environmentally friendly. Nothing beats the clear blue Fiji waters. Waking up in paradise to help the environment is amazing. I would defiantly recommend this program to someone who really loves the water and wants to learn about a different culture.

Fiji was amazing and it was beautiful but the best part of the trip was living in a village like the Malkati village, it changed my life. The people were always so friendly and even though they didn't have much they were always smiling. Living in their houses and eating the food they eat and getting used to only having an hour of electricity a day showed me how lucky I was. Doing research on the coral reefs was amazing. The reefs were beautiful and some of the best I have seen. This program changed my life. I would highly recommend this program or any other Rustic Pathways program

One of the 3 weeks I spent in Fiji was spent in the extremely remote village Malakati, on Nacula Islands. This place perfectly exemplifies what one would think of Fiji. Serene beaches, laid back lifestyle, and overall beauty. However, Malakati was that and much much more. While I was there I interacted with some of the most amazing people I have ever met. The villagers were so welcoming, someone so lost here in America. What made it special for me was that everyone who lived there wanted to be your friend, and tell you stories, and listen to your stories. I remember one night specifically where we had a bonfire on the beach, and instead of staying with the entire group, I went off with these 2 native teenagers, and for about an hour all I did was tell them stories about New York City, and they were fascinated. The villagers are definitely what made my trip. Many of them even remember my name when I came back a week later on my next trip, some of them could barely speak english but they could say my name, and it was simply heart warming. During the day we would sit out on the beach watching the palm trees sway, and listening to the rhythm of the ocean, all while learning about marine and environmental conservation efforts. Later we would snorkel the reef conducting research about the life and stability of the reef and fish in the area. I got community service hours for snorkeling!!!! It was fantastic. After a long day of work, we would see the kids come home from school on a boat, and jump into the water with us, and be so excited, its almost indescribable. What really made the entire overall trip special was the immersion. We didn't stay at a holiday inn. This village was a 5 hour boat ride from the main land. Almost as far out into the middle of nowhere as possible, and it felt like pure freedom. While there we stayed in traditional houses called burees made out of sticks, and branches and slept on bamboo mats. We didn't have french toast or waffles for breakfast, we had fresh fruits and vegetables that the amazing cook had plucked only hours before. We had pirahna! I spent a day with the chief of the village, and I my favorite kid, joevesa, is the future chief. Fiji is such an amazing place, and this trip changed my life by showing me all the differences, and absolute perfection that our vast world has to offer. Because when it comes down to it, thats what Malakati is, pure perfection.

This program is absolutely life changing. Rather than being down in the tourist areas experiencing and "Americanized Vacation" this program allows you to live day by day as a true Fijian does. The people that you meet and the relationships that you build are unlike any connection you have ever made before with another human being. We stayed in Buras on the farm and worked on the farm almost every morning. The work is difficult but the strength built is unimaginable. The experiences in this program allow you to see the impact that you are making and see the struggle that these villagers deal with on a day to day basis. Other days we stayed in host families in the Nasivicoso Village. The families that allow you into their homes are beyond kind and loving. They take you in as if you are their own child. During my stay I got extremely sick and my Nae Nae (Host Mom) looked after me as she would for her own child. From the amazing hikes you will take to the waterfalls and highest points in the land, to the interactions and laughter you will share in the schools, to having tea time every evening at 4pm, to Kava ceremonies with your friends and family, to showering in the river, to having a fresh coconut with a bamboo straw, to just relaxing in the peaceful scenery under "Fiji Time", there will never be a dull moment.

My trip to Thailand impacted my life forever, and made this summer the most memorable experience of my life yet! The Rustic Pathways staff, along with the students I met throughout my trip had the greatest impact on me. I've never laughed harder, or met so many great people in one place. In the program we did a whole variety of different things to greater the community, as well as meet many of the locals! We helped plant rice, (they don't call it the rice fields base for nothing!), helped deliver food to local Thai people, went to the local schools on many occasions to help teach english some "head, shoulders, knee's and toes!" is always a good one! We also helped teach swimming and also helped the school by doing some much needed painting! One of my favorite projects with the village health, we gave diabetes test to locals. I felt that our group made a big impact! Not only that but it had a great impact on me. I learned a lot about myself as well as others and a lot about Thailand, the land of smiles, and in my opinion one of the best countries to visit, and go make a difference! Awesome program I'd recommend it to anyone who's open to try a lot of new things!

I went with Rustic Pathways almost four years ago and I still value my experiences with them. This was actually the second year I had travelled with Rustic, but the first year was equally amazing. My first year I stayed in Thailand, partaking in the "Amazing Thailand" and "Elephant Conservation" programs. I made amazing friends and had amazing experiences on both programs. The second year was by far the best summer I've ever had. The friends I made on that trip are lifelong friends. Going from various villages everyday was so eye-opening, seeing how non-western countries live and how oppressive governments can effect them. Visiting Angkor Wat was definitely the highlight of this trip. The ruins are incredible. There are so many wonderful things about Rustic that I have to say I just don't have the time to write all of them. Rustic has impacted the way I view the world so much. It is an amazing experience!

This program was a wonderful experience. We planned a day camp for deserving Costa Rican Youth of La Fortuna. Everyone on the trip got really close and we felt like a family by the end. Many kids from the trip have stayed in touch. The Ticos are adorable and really appreciate the work you do. The whitewater rafting at the beginning of the trip very well might have been the highlight as it was so spectacular! The scenery was beautiful the whole trip and you do a fair amount of tourism as well as your volunteering. Although it is helpful to know at least some spanish other kids will most likely be able to translate for you. The trip mostly has kids 16 and older though 14+ are allowed to go. I wouldn't recommend going before high school as it might be hard to relate to the rest of the kids. The kids on my trip were not as into the community service as one might expect though they did love the Ticos. The kids just weren't as in to the work and planning. You sleep in a base bed and breakfast type place and the ticos are bussed to you every morning. Its really great to bring arts and craft because there are not many supplies available in town. Overall the trip was a really great experience!

The nights in Costa Rica were especially amazing to me, since you are engulfed in a rain forest with the sounds of a stream and the animals both near an far. The occasional lizard runs past and you seem him climb onto the ceiling of the dinning area. These are a few of the things that made the country so beautiful to me. Also, you make immediate bonds with those around you. I started thinking that I would spend just about 7 days in a foreign country with no one but myself. This changed the first night at dinner when we started bonding as a group. The people are all in the same boat as you and are just as vulnerable. My friends from the trip and I stay in touch even now through facebook and update each other almost daily on how we are doing. Even though I zip lined for the first time and saw a volcano, that should not be the reason to go to Costa Rica. The people that you do the community service for and the experience of being placed into a totally different culture should be your reasons for taking the trip. This trip changed my life, and I will continue to return to this country as much as possible throughout my life.

I hope you will get as much out of the trip as I did.

-Tyler

Junior year, my best friend and I decided to do a trip with rustic pathways. I had really hoped to do an environmentally focused trip however my friend had a different idea. He wanted to explore more of the social, historical and cultural aspects of Cambodia. As an open personal I agreed to doing the Off the Map trip instead (thank goodness I did!)

The trip really did take us through Cambodia exposing us to the beauty it had to offer. We explored the rugged jungle on elephants, walked along the Rabbit Island's sandy beaches, shopped in the urban markets of Phnom Penh, toured the French colonial city of Kampot, watched for dolphins on a river tour, taught Cambodian orphans English, helped to build a new library, hiked up Bokor mountain, visited the world famous temple, Angkor Wat and visited the killing fields. The trip without a doubt made 2011 the best summer of my life.