Program Reviews

This program provided a lot of fun aspects, but as with any programs there were some downsides. If you’re not used to rustic settings and not open to trying that then this is not for you. Some things to expect are; squatting potties, bucket showers, dust, lots of mosquitoes, no AC at times, no Wifi or service at times, days that require modest clothes even if it’s super hot. I felt that this program was fun, but at times it was tough. The no phones for the first month was rough and felt very isolating, the rules in place are strictly enforced- if you’re assuming that the instructors might let stuff go, they won’t. I expected to have more freedom than I was given which was frustrating at times. I also felt like I was stuck with the group- you don’t really get to meet other people and make friends your age outside of the group. But I also had a lot of fun. I got to experience so many things that wouldn’t be possible outside of this program, for example all of the service projects that we do- which can be tough in the moment but overall is fun. I met people I wouldn’t have crossed paths with outside this program that will be life long friends, I got to learn a lot about traveling and figured out what a lot of my stretch zones were, there are really fun activities each day. It’s overall very structured but it’s still fun. I would recommend this program but go into it knowing that there will be things you like less than others, at times it can be really tough, you will get homesick at some point, it will be very hot at times, and you will experience things that may be outside of your normal comfort zone. If you go into the program prepared for this, you will feel a lot better when these types of challenges come up. Overall make the most of each day- this sounds cheesy but the trip goes by so fast! Also seeing and learning about elephants is so amazing and made every tough moment on this trip worth it.

Overall, my experience with ARCC was valuable and I will carry the skills I learned for the rest of my life. My group consisted of 9 students (4 boys, 5 girls) and 2 leaders. Other than the people in this group, there will be no opportunity to meet other people your age. Everything we did was with the group and very structured. If you like structure, this program is for you. If you’re looking for more freedom, I would consider other options.

The rules in place are very firm and you cannot get away with anything that remotely violates them. (No drinking, smoking, partying, ect)

Another thing to consider is that we moved around A LOT, which I loved. If living out of a backpack and moving every few nights doesn’t interest you, don’t do this program. We mostly stayed in hotels and hostels (some were nice, some were not), but we also did a homestay in each country. The homestay in Cambodia was very rural (No AC, no running water, no WiFi, and my bed was a mat on the floor).

A lot of the things we did through this program were definitely once in a lifetime and I would have never done them without ARCC. However the 10 weeks was long and there were times I felt isolated and really really wished I had freedom to do the things I wanted to.

I'am glad that I join this program I met amazing people and made a life long friendship, we travel and learn together for the whole 10 weeks of the program, we also have amazing partners in each of the country (Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand) experiencing homestay, trying new food, hiking, plan our own travel, navigate, saw elephants, overnight train and scuba dive! We also have amazing instructors ready to help. I felt like now I have more knowledge on preparing my own travel and most importantly I am ready to navigate college.

This program is an incredible introduction to Southeast Asia. It moves around a bunch and days are packed with much to experience. Free time is a little rough but I wouldn’t trade more free time for the experiences. Vietnam has a lot of major cities and areas to explore while also offering my favorite homestay in a rural village. Cambodia is definitely more rural and days are spend doing more active activities like temple visits and the water filter project. Thailand is a bit of both - city exploration and scuba. Overall, I greatly enjoyed the once in a lifetime experiences, and the struggles will no doubt be helpful later in life.

I am on the ARCC Southeast Asia program and it has been wonderful so far. This program is unique to others because there are many experiences on this trip that are only possible while being with our ARCC partners. From homestays to wild elephant sightings, there is truly something for everybody to enjoy on this trip. This trip however is very busy. We have very few “chill” days and it can be quite exhausting. Overall I would recommend this program if you’re looking to looking to see/do a lot within your time abroad.

It was a very interesting and fun experience where we got to try and do many new things and have many experiences, enjoy local cuisine and cook different types of food with local ingriendents. The trip had ups and downs but with a lot of adventures moments. Very good times with different types of people. People here from all different types of states and walks of life. Got to meet many locals here who had different ways and styles of life. It was a very interesting trip and we did many things together.

My experience with ARCC was really good. I am interested in solo traveling but wasn’t confident that I could until this trip. I feel that it gave me the skills to navigate places that are very different from mine. There was a good balance of fun group activities, historical/cultural sites, and cultural immersion. For example we would spend the majority of the day exploring Angkor Wat, learning about Cambodian history and afterwards we would swim in the hotel pool together. I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to explore a country but doesn’t know where to start. I wouldn’t recommend it to someone who just wants a “gap year” because I found it was so much more than that.

Going into this program I knew that it was going to be very interesting and that I would learn many things, however I never could have guessed the impact that it has had on my life. Through this program I have made lifelong friends, both with my fellow group members and also the instructors, who were so amazing and elevated my entire experience. I’m excited to return home with a new outlook on life, and a renewed drive to change the world around me. This trip is without a single doubt one of, if not the greatest, decisions that I have ever made.

I found myself among some very cool people on this trip, I started a relationship and made a lifelong friend, something that seems difficult or unlikely in such a short amount of time. This trip is a great way to explore yourself and what you want to do in life. Most of the trip is spent following around guides to amazing places unlike any other part of the world, and being able to travel to such beautiful sights with a group you can easily bond with is such a refreshing break from life back home.

This was an incredible trip that helped me immerse myself in the cultures of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. The local partners ARCC used were phenomenal, and the ARCC programming was very educational as well. I am really glad I began my gap year with such a structured group, as I had confidence throughout the whole trip that the itinerary was very well-planned. I think this trip also taught me about how to solo-travel so that I could hopefully travel by myself at some point in the near future.