High School Community Service & Volunteering Programs in Asia

Everything about the trip was perfect. Getting to work with the kids in a school and build connections despite language barriers was such an amazing experience. The adventure aspects such as surfing and white water rafting are also SO FUN!

Daughter has been to Dominican Republic and Bali and currently gearing up for RSA in July. Just spoken with GLA on easily booked phone call. As always utterly superb. If you're wondering about putting your child in their care don't panic. Pre Adventure organisation brilliant.. Adventure life changing for kids and parents kept fully informed. Could not recommend more highly

My name is Lucy, and I had the incredible opportunity and privilege to go on a Dragons trip, specifically the China Language Intensive, in the summer of ’25. I truly believe that anyone who has the chance to do a Dragon's trip should go for it. Knowing what a great privilege it was, I can say it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done, something that will stay with me forever. The program is beautiful, raw, and so full of meaning. You get to connect with people and experience life in a way you never have before, and it stays with you. It’s impossible to choose a single “favorite” part of the trip, but the homestays were definitely a highlight. In the village of Nanyao in Lijiang City (Yunnan Province), I remember meeting my homestay mom and dad and feeling slightly hesitant at first. Despite the language barrier, their hospitality and kindness needed no translation. I felt right at home almost immediately. I made lifelong friends who feel like family, and I still have all their contacts. I cherish memories of playing soccer, cooking meals, and spending time with my homestay siblings; I think about them all the time. Kunming was amazing as well, an urban homestay full of energy, busy yet organized. I loved taking the Kunming Metro every day to and from Mandarin class and Independent Study. I even learned to play a traditional Chinese instrument, the guqin. My homestay parents were so sweet. One of my favorite memories is simply making dumplings with them, talking, heading down to the back entrance of the bottom floor to see kittens just outside the complex, and sharing family meals. Our instructors on this trip in particular let us do stipend meals often, a chance to practice the language, manage foreign currency, and spend independent time with your group, whether all twelve of us went together or split into smaller ones. Everyone was inclusive because everyone wanted to be there; the group was so tight-knit. Every meal felt special, even when it was just street noodles or hot pot (my favorite). My instructors, Rosalyn, Cy, and Martina, were incredible. They made me feel supported, inspired, and seen. I learned so much from them about language and culture, but also about perspective and slowing down, appreciating absolutely everything while you’re in a place that can feel new and, at times, intimidating. I carried my Canon camera everywhere (my neck still remembers it), but I’m so glad I brought it. The photos mean everything to me now; I look back on them frequently and fondly. This trip was especially meaningful because I was adopted from China. Returning as a young adult to learn, explore, and connect felt incredibly empowering. I even turned 18 on the trip, which was really fun. One of the biggest takeaways is how it helped me feel more connected to where I come from and deeply grateful for the people who shared their lives with me. Dragons changed the way I see the world. If you can do it, you absolutely should. It’s not just a trip—it’s an experience that will change you for the better. Be eternally grateful if you get the chance to go on one.

This program was truly life changing. All of the people were amazing and I made so many memories. I learned more about myself, my dreams, Thailand, and vet med, in two weeks than I typically do in a year.

Loop Abroad is truly transformative. I feel so lucky to know about this program and share my thoughts with like-minded students and staff. I grew so close to everyone and would highly recommend this incredible program.

This program was incredibly fun and I learned and gained more knowledge than I would've anywhere else and I also got so many connections including friends and for future my profession. It was the most valuable trip I've ever been on.

This program is so incredibly special! It doesn't matter if you are in college or high school, you learn so much about how to be a great vet, including the person at your heart. The cultural and veterinary knowledge we gained was perfect. I had so much fun on this trip with everyone.

My high school trip to Thailand was one of the best experiences of my life. Every person I met, whether groupmate or Loop staff was a wonderful person who made me feel welcome. The experiences I got from this trip are unique. Nowhere else could I learn and do this much hands on veterinary work.

I have made so many incredible friends and done so many things that I will treasure forever. There was nothing like working with elephants at ENP, and the animals at the clinic. Most of all, the incredible staff and vets working with Loop were the sweetest people! You won't regret coming on this trip. I wish I could do it again.

So fun W trip I had a W time this trip so fun and bussin food I will be returning for the adventure maybe to a more wild location like the wilderness so I had a W time thank you rustic pathways for this

Rustic Pathways responded to this reviewJuly 22, 2025

Hi Sofia!! We love to hear it was a great trip all around! So glad you had fun and enjoyed the food too. We’ll be ready for you when you're ready to take on nature next! See you next summer :)

I arrived curious. I left clearer, more grounded, and deeply connected to something bigger than myself. From the community projects to the cultural immersion, every day challenged me to lead with more empathy, more humility, and more presence. I learned that leadership isn’t about being loud it’s about listening. Showing up. Staying open. Bali gave me beauty, yes but it also gave me perspective. And I’ll carry that with me long after the flight home.

One of the biggest benefits of going on the Bali Experience 3 week immersion is how many experiences I got to learn and grow from. There is so much different things on offer that I would never get exposed to back home. I found my heart and mind stretched in ways that could not happen any other way. I also had a chance to really bond with people in my group. A few of those special people I'm still in touch with and 2 of them have come to visit me at my home. I loved the people, I loved the country and I loved contributing in whatever small way to some of the environmental issues they face.

Enthusiasm of the staff. Hike through the snow to the monastery & hiking in the national park. Sleeping in the Gers/Waking up in the ger. Being able to do different things everyday was so cool and got to experience a lot

Rustic Pathways responded to this reviewJanuary 15, 2025

Hey Francis! Thanks so much for traveling with us! Mongolia is amazing, and we're so glad you were able to see the monastery and the national park! We hope you travel with us again.

Learning about the history of Mongolia and culture, visiting the local family and understanding how they live Living in the gers was my most memorable experience during my stay with Rustic Pathways in Mongolia.

Rustic Pathways responded to this reviewJanuary 09, 2025

Hi Nga! Thank you so much for travelling with us! We're so glad you had a meaningful experience in Mongolia and that you grew in your understanding of that culture. We hope you travel with us again soon!

I loved experiencing in the traditional nomads life in the yurts and hiking on ice and snow. Also getting to spend time with local kids and having time to get closer to people we went together was amazing

It was so much fun, I enjoyed visiting the ger camps and seeing snow!!! I liked meeting new people and building bonds with teachers and the rustic pathways leaders too. It was peaceful enjoying the views

If I have to answer, what my most memorable thing during my stay in Mongolia was, it would be Everything, especially the activities (archery and cultural games, etc) the leaders were amazing (shoutout to Josh and Chimgee)

Rustic Pathways responded to this reviewJanuary 09, 2025

Hi Nga! We're so glad you enjoyed the archery and the cultural games. We'll pass on your shoutout to Josh and Chimgee!

Seeing the students build new relationships with peers they don't spend a lot of time with. And watching them adapt to new situations and help support each other in times that may have been stressful or overwhelming.

Rustic Pathways responded to this reviewJanuary 09, 2025

Hi Zoė! Thanks so much for traveling with us! We're so happy to hear that students were able build new relationships and gain confidence! We hope our paths cross again!

The most memorable part of the program was making friends with everyone in Thailand, especially P Chet and P Nut. They were the main people who always made my day great. Also the whole arrangement whether it?s following up the checklist for the tour or and looking and taking care of each and bit of travelling details with parents and school or it?s taking care of children in the spot, we are fully satisfied with the Rustic Pathways. The hotels arrangements in both Chang mai and Chang dao was amazing. Especially the tree house experience goes the kids were very unique and exciting. The delicious Thai food was liked by everyone. These lovely memories will stay fresh for long time. Thank you Rustic Pathways for the safe and beautiful journey !!!!

Rustic Pathways responded to this reviewJanuary 09, 2025

Hi Arihant! Thanks so much for traveling with us! We're thrilled to hear you had such a great time, and that you felt supported and taken care of by our team! We hope you travel with us again soon!

The Rustic Pathways Staffs Making playground and teaching in local school. Meeting and learning about Thai culture Thai food The stay hotel especially the tree house experience was amazing Last but not least staying and having good time with friends and teachers ?

Rustic Pathways responded to this reviewJanuary 09, 2025

Hey Arihant! Thanks so much for leaving us two amazing reviews. We're glad that you had such a memorable time. That treehouse eco-lodge is INCREDIBLE! See you soon?