Looking to travel abroad this summer? Rustic Pathways offers global travel experiences for high school students. With more than 50 programs in 20 countries, the company provides opportunities to explore new cultures and create meaningful impact around the world.
Over the years, WHBHS has had many students travel with Rustic Pathways. Two summers ago, junior Scarlett Maag traveled to Costa Rica with the “the Heart of the Jungle” program that is popular among first time travelers.
Scarlett said, “It was by far the most amazing experience I’ve ever had, and I would give anything to go back to get to be with my group again.”
Scarlett formed long-lasting friendships with other teen travelers from her group. She said, “I am super close with one of the girls I was on the trip with, her name is Ava. I have gone and stayed with her once in Georgia, and she has stayed with me three times. I plan on surprising her in a few weeks at her graduation. She and I talk almost every day, and I consider her one of my best friends.”
Class of 2019 graduate Hannah Donneson took three trips with Rustic during high school. Hannah was inspired by family friends, WHB alum and sisters Kathleen and Megan Mensch, who traveled to Burma in 2015. Hannah also wanted to travel the world and do community service. Megan agreed to go to Fiji with Hannah for her first trip. In 2016, as a freshman, she traveled to Fiji. Next was Cambodia in 2017 and then Peru in 2018.
Hannah said, “Each trip was so different! Traveling to different parts of the world was so amazing and beautiful. If I had to pick one, I would say Cambodia was my favorite. I had no clue what to expect. In Cambodia, we built a bamboo floating village house for a woman who survived the Khmer Rouge. Meeting survivors and more about their history was so interesting. Our time zone was three hours ahead and was about 36 hours of travel.”
Along with community service and experience traveling, these trips provide so much more. Hannah said, “These Rustic trips were the foundation for my love of travel and now I am now working in the travel industry!” Hannah lives in Boston and works for EF Go Ahead Tours, which provides guided group travel for adults.
She continued, “Going out and seeing the world and escaping the bubble town of Westhampton Beach is so important. If you can do it by any means, go. just do it. Life is too short and there is so much beauty to see.”
This summer, I will be traveling to Italy on my first trip with Rustic Pathways’ “Northern Italy” tour. I will be visiting Verona, Venice, and Lake Garda. While there, I will stay in a castle with other teen travelers. We will also earn eight hours of community service which, according to the Rustic Pathways’ website, will depend on local needs.
If you’re still not convinced to take the trip, Hannah said, “Anyone who is considering going – GO! It truly was the best decision I ever made. It was the best experience of my life, and truly helped me become the person I am today. It helped me gain a lot of confidence in myself to travel independently as a college student and as an adult.” And, the service hours you gain can be used towards WHBHS’ graduation requirement.
For more information, visit https://rusticpathways.com.
