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Rustic Pathways

9.48 (184)Verified24 Programs

Why choose Rustic Pathways?

Since 1983, Rustic Pathways has empowered positive change, fostering impactful friendships and unforgettable travel experiences for teens aged 12-22. Join animal lovers, environmental activists, and explorers on adventures designed to ignite your passions, grow in confidence, and foster global awareness. There is a Rustic Pathways experience for every kind of student. In addition to high school...

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Rustic Pathways Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about the programs

Overall Rating

9.48

Total Reviews

184
Leave a Review

Best trip every!!!

by: Alexys Burt - United StatesProgram: Thailand Adventures and Service with Rustic Pathways
10

Going to Thailand was an amazing life changing experience! I met so many amazing people and had so much amazing food!! If I had to option to go back I’d go back any day, and over all my favorite thing was bathing the elephants!!’

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Rustic Pathways responded to this review2025-02-04 00:40:40

Hey Alexys! We're so happy to hear you had an amazing time. We love that you had a life-changing experience in Thailand and that you got to see more of the world. Thai food is the YUMMIEST! We hope we see you on another adventure soon!

Rustic Pathways- Read this if you’re a parent!

by: Amanda Osborn - United StatesProgram: Italy Adventure and Travel with Rustic Pathways
10

My daughter wanted to travel the world, and I can’t thank Rustic Pathways enough for helping us make this possible! From the very first interactions, to the end, Rustic and their team were amazing to work with, while always communicating and keeping us informed every step of the way! My daughter stayed in a castle during her trip to Italy, made homemade pasta, went to lake Garda and volunteered by assisting with town cleanup!

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Rustic Pathways responded to this review2025-02-04 00:31:41

Hi Amanda! We're so happy to hear that your daughter had an amazing time in Italy! And we're thrilled that our team made the process easy for you and your family. Thank you for placing your trust in us! We hope your daughter gets to see more of the world (with us) and beyond!

Connecting with the locals and helping the villages and women's shelter

by: JulieProgram: Fiji: Sun, Sand, and Island Service with Rustic Pathways
10

I loved the service activities we did and learning about the fijian people, community and language. Connecting with the locals and helping the villages and womens shelter was one of my favorite parts

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Rustic Pathways responded to this review2025-01-15 03:43:56

Hi Julie! Thanks so much for traveling with us. The community in Fiji is wonderful! Thank you for everything you contributed to the villages there and the women's shelter. We hope you travel with us soon.

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Interviews

Read interviews from alumni or staff

Brent Watkins

Interviewed in 2015

Staff

What inspired you to travel abroad?

Prior to joining Rustic Pathways, I spent time as a classroom teacher in a struggling school in east Baltimore and later went on to manage a team of people who trained new teachers at Teach For America, a national education reform non-profit. In this work, I saw how powerful learning that happened outside of the classroom could be. I spent several summers leading programs for Rustic Pathways and was sold on how these experiences could change students’ enduring mindsets -- I was hooked!   

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Rebecca Glazer

Participated in 2014

Alumni

I’ve always been drawn to small groups of people and tight-knit communities, so when I heard about the programs in Nasivikoso, they sounded like the kind of atmosphere I would enjoy. I am also very interested in education and agriculture, and Nasivikoso offered programs addressing both. Mostly, though, I was drawn to the idea of living in a rural community with a host family, rather than staying out at a base house, like some of the other programs.

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Ezra Remer

Participated in 2014

Alumni

Why did you you decide to volunteer in Fiji?

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Awards

Check out awards and recognitions Rustic Pathways has received

Top Rated Program Volunteer Abroad in Dominican Republic 2025
GoAbroad Top Rated Provider 2024 - Adventure TravelCommunitas Award | Leadership in Community Service and CSRTravel Weekly Magellan Awards | Best Health & Safety InnovationsInternational Travel Awards | Best Tour OperatorSkift IDEA Award: Industry Innovators | Tour Operator