GAP YEAR PROGRAMS

Live, Work, Learn and Explore

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Experience the Greatest
Classrooms on Earth

Each ARCC Gap Semester provides access to some of the most incredible people, places, and experiences the world has to offer. Our contacts and relationships allow us to immerse ourselves in the communities and cultures we visit through homestays, hands-on projects, and exchange. 

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We Go Beyond the
Weekend Visit

We take the time to plant our feet in each location, becoming part of the community at large. Eating, sleeping, and living amongst our host communities, we are welcomed in as friends. Working in partnership with area leaders and organizations, we participate in meaningful projects while collaborating with community members to achieve a common goal.

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Global Themes:

Curriculum

The six global themes comprise the structure around which the ARCC Gap Year curriculum is built. Interwoven between these pillars is a mixture of journaling, interviews with local experts and officials, as well as group and community discussions. In addition, students address one or more of these themes in every geographic area they visit through service projects and community engagement.

At the end of the gap semester, we organize our thoughts and actions into a final Capstone Passion Project. Students choose a topic and draw upon the rich experiences of the last months to examine it from a particular angle. They may choose to explore access to disability services in public schools, interview women to explore income-earning opportunities across Southeast Asia, or compare the success of conservation efforts in the population of Kenya’s lions, Tanzania’s elephants, and Uganda’s Rhinos. Whether creating an ethnographic study, documentary short, or independent service project, this Passion Project encapsulates the students’ experiences and sends them home with not only memories that will last a lifetime but also with skills and experience that will be invaluable in their future educational goals.

Leadership Development

ARCC’s Leadership Development is designed to foster growth and encourage students to play an active role in the group’s overall gap year experience. Find your voice and build your confidence by undertaking leadership opportunities and increased responsibility as the semester progresses. Through student-led lessons, activities, and excursions, students are empowered to become leaders.

Students start the semester in an instructor-student role and gradually progress towards a peer relationship where students are expected to take on challenges, assist in responsible group decision making, and facilitate constructive and relevant discussions. Students receive both positive and constructive feedback from their instructors and peers throughout the semester to assist in boosting their confidence and strengthening their effectiveness as leaders.

The Group

There are typically 8-14 students per group, which provides an intimate group environment. This is important to ensure that the group is not so large that students get lost in the shuffle. This is your opportunity to have a significant experience, and when you get to know each other on a family level it is instrumental to your overall experience and learning.

Students on an ARCC Gap Semester want to be here and are excited to be a part of the gap experience. These are not gap year programs for students that are coming out of youth-at-risk or therapeutic programs. Being that this is such a long period of time, we need to make sure that students are coming for the right reasons. We determine this through our application process, which requires students to complete a detailed application, provide two – three outside references, one based on academics, another on character, and, if applicable, a third from a mental health specialist, and interview with a Gap Director.

Field Partners

ARCC has developed, nurtured, and maintained relationships with in-country field partners over the years. We trust our partners to work with us to create dynamic itineraries that are flexible, and to uncover projects that are going to be impactful, both for our students and for the communities in which we work.

On the ARCC Gap Year students experience and immerse themselves in cultures they are unfamiliar with through homestays, group community stays, and participating in the daily activities that keep these communities going. As we immerse ourselves in these cultures and learn about different projects and fledgling organizations, we are given the opportunity to also be a part of the process by working alongside community members. Living and volunteering in these communities helps students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for what these communities and organizations are trying to accomplish.

Mar 29

Open
Vietnam & Cambodia: Project Clean Water Grades 9-12 18 Days Explore night markets, eat a big bowl of pho, and sail in Vietnam's Hạ Long Bay on this exhilarating summer adventure. The program's focus project will have students constructing bio-sand water filters to provide access to clean drinking water in rural communities. Learn more about this program by downloading an itinerary - link in bio.

Mar 27

Open
Thailand: Elephants & Islands Grades 9-12 21 Days Explore the various beautiful regions of Thailand this summer. Take a cooking class and learn about the rich markets and foods that make up Thai cuisine. Spend three weeks learning from Buddhist monks, exploring sacred temples, exchanging cultural customs with local communities, and earning your SCUBA certificate diving brilliant coral reefs. Download an itinerary for more program information -link in bio.

Mar 24

Open
Spain & Morocco Spice of Life Grade 9-12 18 days Celebrate the unique cultures of Spain and Morocco with an exploration of food, dance, and culture while also making an impact by learning about local efforts to improve sustainable agriculture and infrastructure. This program offers an immersive experience into numerous cultures coming together throughout history to make the modern bustling city centers what they are today. Download an itinerary for more program details - link in bio.

Mar 22

Open
South Africa: Land of Wild Wonders Grade 10-12 19 days Our newest summer program encourages students to connect with the diverse wildlife in South Africa while traveling all over this beautiful region. This program offers a balance between enriching cultural education and an unforgettable adventure. Students will spend three weeks learning about South Africa's apartheid history, visiting impactful cultural sites, connecting with wildlife, seeking thrilling adventures, hiking, surfing, and exploring South African hot spots. Download a program itinerary for more details - link in bio.

Mar 20

Open
Limited availability! Kenya & Tanzania: Lighting Lives Grade 9-12 21 Days This unique service learning program allows students to learn from the locals by spending time with native Maasai people, volunteering at a local clinic, and helping install solar panels in remote communities. Search for wildlife on a multi-day safari and enjoy the tropical waters of Spice Island in Zanzibar. Download the itinerary for full program details - link in bio.

Mar 17

Open
Two Hawaii Programs offer opportunities for Grades 7-12! • Preserving Paradise - Grades 9-12 - 16 days • Blue Water Adventure - Grades 7-8 - 15 Days Surf, Snorkel, and Hula your way from Oahu to The Big Island while spending your time engaging in service projects toward conservation efforts in Hawaii's various ecosystems and learning cultural customs with local hosts. Download an itinerary for more details - link in bio.

Mar 16

Open
Ecuador & Galapagos: Island & Village Impact. Grade 9-12 21 Days Immerse yourself in remote Andean villages, living with locals and helping with community improvement projects. During your three weeks, you will travel to the remote Galápagos Islands, where you will explore the area by boat and snorkel in the clear blue waters seeing a variety of wildlife at sea and on land. Download an itinerary for full program details, and explore summer programs—link in bio.

Mar 1

Open
ARCC's third Costa Rica program offers an incredible experience for our younger travelers. Costa Rica: Pura Vida Experience 14 days Grades 7-8 Join a soccer match against a local school and spend your days learning the ins and outs of farm work in the coffee-growing high country of Savegre. Explore the canopy of the rainforest by zipline, cut through the rainforest while white water rafting, and surf a peaceful break in the Pacific Ocean. Our programs balance play and work while immersing students in the Pura Vida lifestyle.

Feb 27

Open
ARCC's programs in Costa Rica have a long-standing relationship with our hosts, who welcome students and make each group feel at home during their stays. Costa Rica: Cloud Forest Community Initiative 14 days Grade 9-12 White water raft, zip line through the rainforest canopy, and catch a wave on the Pacific Ocean. This program goes beyond the thrill, through Spanish language studies and a farming community stay, students will immerse themselves into the Costa Rican way of life and make meaningful connections with local communities.

Feb 24

Open
Did you know ARCC offers three summer programs in Costa Rica? Costa Rica: Protecting Rainforest Wildlife 18 days Grade 9-12 Our longest program in Costa Rice allows students to focus on conservation efforts and work with local scientists, park rangers and nonprofit organizations to protect the wildlife in this beautiful country. Students will volunteer at a rehabilitation center, tag tropical birds and bats, track jaguars and ocelots, and protect nesting sea turtles.

Feb 22

Open
There is limited availability left for Colorado & Utah: Canyons and Conservation summer program! 18 days Grades 9-12 Volunteer at a wolf sanctuary, study conservation efforts and spend each day discovering the beauty of this area. From climbing cliffs, surfing dunes, and embarking on a multi-day raft trip, this program offers endless unique adventures!

Feb 20

Open
Explore the Golden State this summer! California: Wilderness Service & Adventure 14 days Grades 7-12 (students grouped by grade) Spend 2 weeks exploring the diverse wilderness of California. Surf in the Pacific Ocean, take a plunge in America's largest alpine lake in Lake Tahoe and hike the stunning landscapes of Yosemite. Our community service programming gives students the opportunity to build, preserve, and maintain natural areas that grant visitors access to the outdoors.

See What Our Students Have to Say!

Keagan O
West Hartford, CT, Fordham University ’25
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“This ARCC Semester was the best experience of my life. For anyone looking to step out of their comfort zones, learn, meet amazing people and have a blast this is the semester for you. Going into the semester I was expecting to be pushed out of my comfort zone, but it was so much more than that. I grew as a leader through working with other members of the group, learned an abundance of new knowledge about our country and the environment, and fell in love with camping, hiking, and the great outdoors. The entire semester was eye-opening and provided a change that was much needed and desired.”
Parent of Hayes N
San Rafael, CA, College of Marin ’23
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“Hayes has nothing but positive reviews for his experience on his trip. Besides the tremendous opportunity to see new countries and experience those cultures, the leadership and direction he received from his instructors were second to none. He was also lucky enough to be with a cohort of peers that bonded really well and whom he enjoyed traveling with. I speak for all of us when I say that the program was a tremendous success and will provide a lifetime of memories for Hayes. From top to bottom we appreciate everyone in the ARCC organization.”
Parent of Alana A.
Framingham, MA
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“What can I say… she had a blast; a highlight of her life. She loved the intellectual aspects, the food, and the people.”
Laurel E.D
South Burlington, VT, Boston University ’26
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“The best part of the semester for me was the self-growth I had in terms of self-reflection and improved self-awareness. My instructor helped a ton with this and I can not put into words how much I appreciated that.”
Parent of Hannah F
Fairfield, CT, Keene State College ’23
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“Hannah came home exuberant and so delighted that she has another “family” of friends around the country. It opened her eyes to see beyond what she had previously.”
Parent of Frances M
Greenville, SC, George Washington University ’24
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“Frances’ experience was life-changing and life-affirming. She came home more confident in her decision making, has a new understanding that a test at school doesn’t define her, has a better understanding of the world, shows interest in the bigger world around her, has no regrets deferring to college for a year to have had this experience, and lastly has a bigger appreciation for her family.”
Parent of Aaron T
New Rochelle, NY, University of Miami ’24
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“This semester has been overwhelmingly positive. Our boy has grown. It’s a good value. And it will enhance his college studies and life tremendously. One of the most impactful things for Aaron was the deep focus on building community in the ARCC program. His instructors were simply amazing and Aaron particularly was touched by Ethan’s mentorship and leadership in the program. Aaron also mentioned that all participants became real friends with each other and there was a total absence of cliques. The variety of activities the group engaged in throughout the program was also commendable – from service to cultural to historical to conservation work, etc. There was also a solid level of communication and attentiveness to safety so we felt confident in Aaron’s wellness and safety throughout.”
Parent of Preston P
Spring Lake, NJ, George Washington ’23
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“Being in this environment, away from college, he was clear-headed and focused and he has brought that home with him. He has said that he knows he doesn’t need to impress anyone to be friends and that people like him for who he is.”
Ava C
Bloomington, IN, Colorado State University ’23
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“I, like many, was very impacted by this semester. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about all the adventures I experienced through the ARCC Program. I was so inspired by my gap year that I am currently studying ecotourism with a concentration in natural resource tourism at Colorado State.”
Parent of Drew B
Wheaton, IL, Chapman ’23
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“Drew needed this. This experience helped reground him. He has his enthusiasm and zest back and an intellectual curiosity toward things.”
Parent of Lindsey G
Armonk, NY, Elon ’24
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“Lindsey had a wonderful gap experience! It was everything she wanted and more. By her third week, she was already saying that she learned more in her three weeks with the program than she learned in all her years of formal schooling. She loved each experience, made some wonderful lifetime friends, and had experiences that helped her grow and experience things that will be forever a part of her.”
Parent of Hayden S
Corte Madera, CA
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“This experience for Hayden was life-changing. My observation is that Hayden is a more communicative and responsible person than when he left. He has always had a sense of adventure and this experience fulfilled that for sure. This experience outside of a normal classroom was perfect for where he was in his life. This semester had a perfect blend of work, education, collaboration, and fun. Thanks for the experience!”
Parent of Harrison R
Atlanta, GA, Purdue ’25
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“Harrison LOVED this gap experience. It embodied so many of his passions…Nature, water, wildlife, the great outdoors…coupled with good and like-minded people at the same point in life’s journey. It allowed him to flourish and grow and most importantly, LIVE FULLY during these times. Taking a gap year was not part of Harrison’s original plan. Covid caused him to rethink this and we are so incredibly grateful that he had the opportunity to be part of this amazing program. He loved the balance between service work and adventure. And we all loved Spanish School. He’s also made lifelong connections with peers in his group. You all are fantastic.”
Parent of Zoe R
Los Angeles, CA, Stanford University ’26
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“Zoe will never forget this semester: the laughter, the breathtaking landscapes, the music, the dancing by the side of the road, the new sense of stewardship for our environment, the goofy inside jokes, and the way she and the others came to trust each other enough to share so much about their lives with each other.”
Willow V
Lake Bluff, IL, Georgetown ’25
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“ARCC is truly what a gap year is all about. Through highs and lows, friendships and fights, you find yourself. You discover your preferences, passions, and desires for the future.”
Elliot C
Larchmont, NY, University of Vermont ’25
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“If you have any feeling of interest, just do it. My ARCC trip was one of the best experiences of my life and I truly believe I’ve found lifelong friends in a short, unbelievable, special time. Get outside your comfort zone and go for it!”
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