Alumni Testimonials: High School Students From Summer Travel Programs
Featured Summer Travel Programs
Costa Rica: Pura Vida Service
$2,495 plus Airfare
8 days
Ages 14-18
Spend a week at our Volcano and Rainforest Service Base in Costa Rica working on community service projects and enjoying adventure activities.
Italy: Northern Italy Adventure
$3,395 plus Airfare
8 days
Ages 14-18
Explore Italy’s Lombardy and Veneto regions from our converted country estate. Visit villages, make pasta, and immerse in Italian culture.
Thailand: Thailand Adventurer
$4,495 plus Airfare
12 days
Ages 14-18
Explore northern Thailand’s mountains, beaches, waterfalls, rivers and elephants.
Best Teen Travel Locations 2024
Teen Travel Programs For High School Students
Resources for teen travel programs – all in one place
⭐Know before you enroll: Read program reviews, testimonials, and video explainers of global destinations and summer programs
🛫Know your flight pricing: Get group flight pricing and options for student travelers
🏷️Know options: Calculate your travel budget, get scholarships, or find program financing
Student Travel Programs in Asia
Student Travel Programs in Asia travel to Japan and Korea in 2024. From kimchi and k-pop to sundae and sushi to Hongdae and Roppongi, our students, travelers and aspiring linguists will have many cultural and culinary options. Our programs in Japan and Korea line up so you can do both student travel programs in Asia this summer.
- Japan: Tokyo Fusion | $3,295 plus Airfare | 8 days | Ages 14-18
- South Korea: Seoul Searching | $2,995 plus Airfare | 8 days | Ages 14-18
Student Travel Programs in the Americas
Student travel programs in the Americas visit the countries of Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru, and the United States in summer 2024. In Costa Rica, expand your knowledge of the Tico people, learn the Spanish language, volunteer with sea turtles and explore why Costa Rica is a surfer’s paradise. On other student travel programs in the Americas, spend your time working in Dominican Republic communities, tackle climate change in Guatemala, or play soccer with new friends in Peru amongst a group of students on a limited enrollment summer program.
- Costa Rica: Pura Vida Service | $2,495 plus Airfare | 8 days | Ages 14-18
- Costa Rica: Surf and Service | $3,495 plus Airfare | 8 days | Ages 14-18
- Costa Rica: Turtle Conservation | $2,895 plus Airfare | 8 days | Ages 14-17
- Dominican Republic: Marine Life and Coastal Restoration | $5,595 plus Airfare | 16 days | Ages 15-18
- Peru: Sacred Valley Service | $4,195 plus Airfare | 12 days | Ages 14-18
Student Travel Programs in Europe
Student travel programs in Europe center on Italy and Greece. These countries are famed for their food, art, history and culture, so expect not only pasta, pizza, souvlaki, stifado, museums and mezze but also the deep cultural immersion, local partnerships and animal service experience that Rustic Pathways is known for.
With so many student travel programs in Europe to choose from, it can be quite difficult to decide what to choose. At core, it is up to each student to know their goals (make more friends, engage in meaningful service, have fun, connect with local people, etc.) and the budget that they are willing to allocate towards various student travel programs in Europe.
Student Travel Programs in the South Pacific
Join us on student travel programs in the South Pacific to discover magnificent beaches, countryside, and rainforest. The South Pacific welcomes young explorers and seasoned travelers alike.
Enjoy meaningful community service projects at a wildlife rehabilitation center and local elementary school where you’ll interact with Aussie students. Enjoy the laidback pace of Fiji where the relaxing island life and lounging in the sun will help you share laughs with your fellow Rustic Pathways travelers. Our student travel programs in the South Pacific have something for everyone.
Student Programs in Thailand
Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles, and the country will welcome and captivate you. The Thai people are friendly and enjoy sharing their Buddhist culture, spicy food, and love of laughter. Our student programs in Thailand are perfect no matter if you are looking to care for elephants, spike your adrenaline with adventure travel, sightsee, connect with elders in rural villages, or do it all.
Thailand is the hub of Rustic Pathways Southeast Asia operations with programs on offer to teens since 1999. Rustic Pathways student programs in Thailand center on community service, animal conservation, outdoor adventure and immersive culture.
- Thailand: Come With Nothing | $6,245 plus Airfare | 23 days | Ages 15-18
- Thailand: Thai Elephant Conservation Project | $2,995 plus Airfare | 9 days | Ages 14-18
- Thailand: Thailand Adventurer | $4,495 plus Airfare | 12 days | Ages 14-18
Student Programs in the United States
Our student programs in the United States highlight the capital, Washington, D.C.; one of the country’s most incredible natural wonders, The Grand Canyon; the home of Jazz, New Orleans; home to the last frontier, Alaska; and home to volcanic beaches, Hawaii.
If you’re not from the U.S. you can join our student programs in the United States, and we hope you gain perspective on the country. If you are an American on our student programs in the United States, we hope you can see your home with new eyes.
Please note we do not offer a college credit travel program during our summer weeks in 2024.
Experienced Trip Leaders
Our experienced trip leaders participate on program with students 24/7. A Rustic Pathways program leader functions as your kid’s favorite teacher, trusted with making sure each Rustic Pathways student is safe, engaged and having a fun program. Trip leaders are role models for students, dedicated to the best program for students.
Our trip leaders have backgrounds in teaching, experiential learning, education, service learning, wilderness training, and international development courses. We hold in-country training with both new and returning program leaders to ensure standards in safety and student learning to inspire students to more.
Student Summer Trips For Teens: Group Size
Our average group size is 15 people. Some featured programs for younger students are smaller; some featured programs for older teens are larger.
Each program is smaller than your high school class, which means fun group bonding during your in country program experience. Call Rustic Pathways for specifics on your program.
Our Commitment To Teen Travel Safety
As the leaders in teen travel safety, we begin every journey with a commitment to uphold the highest safety and cleanliness standards for our students. Learn about the robust safety protocols that make a Rustic Pathways program the best choice for parents and students in any destination. Safe, fun programs set up an environment for parents to relax and students to make friends.
Meet our program leaders and medical director.
Key Components of Our Travel Safety Protocol:
- Pre-Travel: We review every itinerary to eliminate risks, and understand where the closest clinic might be, no matter how remote.
- Health and Safety Training for Staff: All tour staff undergo extensive training on the latest safety protocols, including emergency response.
- Travel Insurance and Support: We partner to offer comprehensive travel insurance coverage that includes provisions for medical treatment. Our dedicated team of personal travel advisors and health experts are available to provide guidance and support.
- Continuous Monitoring and Updates: Our policies and practices are continuously updated based on the latest travel industry guidance and public health recommendations.
- Ensuring Your Child’s Well-Being: We believe that safety is a shared responsibility, and we are dedicated to ensuring that our travelers not only feel safe but are equipped with the knowledge and resources to travel confidently. We are committed to delivering travel experiences that respect both the well-being of our guests and the communities we visit.
By applying these travel safety practices, we maintain our status as the trusted leaders in safe and responsible travel.
Awards: Travel Excellence Since 1983
Rustic Pathways is the world leader in small group adventure travel. See our honors:
- Entrepreneur Magazine | Best Company Cultures in America (1x)
- GoOverseas | Best Volunteer Abroad Providers (1x)
- GoOverseas | Community Choice Award (2x)
- GoAbroad Foundation | Innovation in Philanthropy Award (1x)
- Outside Magazine | Best Companies to Work (3x)
- World Youth and Student Travel Conference | Best Youth Tour Operator (4x)