Blog

What is a Gap Year? A Gap Year is a blank slate for you to create! A Gap Year is like a tasting platter of the world. It’s the time to go and see what you’re into, and what you want to prioritize moving forward. A Gap Year is time away from studies and work - and the best part is that you design your own brilliant version of what that intermission might look like!  'Gap Year’ might be a bit of a misleading term. It’s not always a year, it could be a semester or a mini … Read more

We keep on talking about this idea of experiential education like it’s a really big deal, but what is it?!  Experiential education one of our guiding philosophies - for good reason! This concept is rooted in the idea of learning by doing, followed by facilitated reflection. Experiential education is a shared methodology across many disciplines, from teaching to counseling to outdoor education.  Since 2001, we’ve been taking students on epic overland journeys across the… Read more

Our Thailand Mini-Semester is incredibly diverse; from immersing ourselves in Bangkok's bustling mega-city vibes to climbing on the limestone ocean cliff walls of Railay. The mountainous northern jungle of Thailand is populated by minority tribal groups and has stunning national parks, while tropical islands in the south have some of the world’s best beaches and snorkeling spots. From cultural immersion in the mountains to island living, the program is deliberately sta… Read more

This six week mini semester is jam-packed with multi-day adventures through a country rated one of the happiest on earth! You can come and be the judge of why the people are so happy, but this rating probably stems from the laid-back ‘Tico’ vibe, combined with a globally inspiring model of eco-stewardship.  The adventures on the Costa Rica Mini Semester program are for all skill levels and abilities, and will be led by professional guides as you hike, kayak, raft and su… Read more

On our six-week Australia Mini Semester, we road trip all the way from Sydney to Cairns in this quintessential journey Down Under. Our program instructors drive us up the east coast, taking in diverse landscapes and experiences along the way. We will go canyoning in the ancient chasms of the Blue Mountains, hold a koala on Magnetic Island, boat to the Whitsundays, snorkel on the world’s largest barrier reef, and learn to surf in pristine National Parks. Canyoning in t… Read more

Join us on our Hawaii Mini Semester Program for all things surfing and sustainable living. The volcanic island chain of Hawaii is a traveler's dream. The Big Island is rich in culture and community and this program is all about diving in to understand local issues, all while having an epic time along the way. Our endless to-do list includes stargazing from the summit of Mauna Kea, walking on a moonscape of black lava in Volcanoes National Park, roaming a green sand beac… Read more

Want to become a changemaker? On our Residential Rewilding Program you will travel to the heart of the New Zealand wilderness to learn about sustainable living practices and conservation on this unique homesteading gap year program! The pandemic has changed the way we travel, and the way we want to travel. We have taken time to slow down, reflect on our values and act accordingly. The Rewilding Program represents that change. Come and explore one country, with seven wee… Read more

Somehow, we have finally reached the final week of the trip. Although the last report didn’t mention this, the typical writers, Bre and Paul, did in fact fall into the volcano we hiked for sunrise. And our only concern was WHO was going to take on this responsibility? We decided on none other than the Captain that always falls asleep, Candace, and the Reporter without a working phone camera, Camille. To start off our last week, we drove up north into the mountains for a… Read more

Hawaii Minimester Jigsaw Puzzle: 500 Pieces Difficulty Level: Hard This box contains: 10 students, 2 instructors, and 1 van Recommended: Ages 18+ Caution: Reference and instructions not included Our Hawaii Minimester is comparable to a jigsaw puzzle as each person, place, and memory represents an individual puzzle piece. As our program draws to a close, I’d like to take a moment to look back on the past month on all of our different puzzle pieces that have created o… Read more

The Costa Rica Mini Group is over halfway through their program and has had so many unique experiences. Read about their favorite ones so far! AsherFavorite moment: surfing in Uvita! My favorite part of surfing was learning a new hobby. I enjoyed it so much because it was very gratifying getting up on the board after so many tries. It was also fun doing a party wave with Rachel and Liv. LivFavorite moment: the sunset swim on our kayak expedition After a long morning … Read more