Program Reviews

This experience was fantastic. You get to experience a much different culture and perspectives than that of western culture. Got to do many fun activities such as rafting down the Nile, swimming at the base of kilimanjaro, going to live dance and music shows. You also feel rewarded when doing community work as it feels like you are actually making an impact. The best example of this was installing solar panels for the Maasai who previously had no access to power. Overall I would recommend this program to anyone looking to grow and get out of there comfort zone.

This semester was one of the most culturally immersive and life changing experience. The experiences with our homestays in each country really put the us, the students, in the real lives of locals. Staying with them for a couple of days was such an enriching time in the trip and we learned so much. Living as a group was a challenge at times but it allowed me to grow and find confidence and independence as well. The most influential part was staying at Daraja Academy, an all girls school in Kenya.

This is the greatest thing I have ever done in my life. Going into it I was hella scared taking a different path but I have absolutely no regrets. I loved all the people even though we had to work through some disputes. I had never traveled with a group like this before and I think this was such an awesome way to kick it off. Everything I saw and did, (scenery and service projects) will stick with me forever. I gained a whole new perspective on life/myself. My leader Hailey had the biggest impact.

My instructor was amazing. The perfect balance of supportive, wise, and mentor like while also being so fun. the program was amazing I learned so much both about myself and the world. The group was made up of some really cool and down to earth individuals. There was very little alone time everything was done together which had its pros and cons. All of the activities and projects were super impactful especially the solar project and spending time at Daraja the all girls secondary school. Overall and amazing experience

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