U.S. Gap Year Orientation

We begin our semester with a Gap orientation in the U.S. After a welcome BBQ with all ARCC Gap Year students, we settle into our group, getting to know one another and our instructors. Together we map out our itinerary and set individual and group goals for the program. We introduce our curriculum and brainstorm ideas for our individual Capstone Passion Projects while coming together as a traveling community.

Travel to Beijing

We fly together to Beijing, China where we jump into our orientation to Chinese culture, customs, and language. While in Beijing we find ourselves in an entirely different world. With over 1.3 billion people, China is the most populous country in the world and Beijing is the perfect place to get oriented. We explore the city and journey back in time hundreds of years to the magnificent Forbidden City where dynasties once reigned and visit Tiananmen Square, which was constructed in 1949 as a symbol of the People’s Republic of China.

No visit to China would be complete without visiting the iconic Great Wall. Dating back to the 5th century, the wall was built of stone and other earthen materials as a form of protection from various nomadic groups. We spend a night sleeping on the wall, taking the time to learn its rich history and marvel at its construction.

Shangri-La Minorities High School and Liming School

We spend the next few days at the Shangri-La Minorities High School where we facilitate English lessons and exchange Q&As with students our age, forming connections and learning about the Chinese education system. When not teaching, we join them in their sports and dancing classes, getting a glimpse of how non-academic subjects are taught in China. In the evenings we partake in our first homestay experience. In pairs, we head off with our new high school friends for a couple of nights of cultural immersion. While with our hosts we enjoy a hike through the meadows speckled with yak and past Tibetan villages to the Dabao Temple, one of the earliest Tibetan Buddhist temples in Shangri-La.

Our next project takes us into the mountainous countryside where we dive further into the Literacy & Education theme. Coming face-to-face with this very impoverished community where the average income is less than $600/year/person, we work at the local primary school where we assist in painting the school dormitories. When not working and playing with the children, we engage in discussions about education, the problem of “left behind children,” and mass migration from villages to the modernized cities.

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Saying goodbye to our new friends in the village, we drive to Qiaotou, the gateway to the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge. Leaving our big bags behind, we spend the next two days hiking this world-renowned location. We brave the “28 bends,” a series of switchbacks taking you to the highest point of the Tiger Leaping Gorge Trail, providing spectacular views of the imposing Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. With comfortable guesthouses awaiting us every night, our hike in China is one we will never forget.

Kunming Microenterprise Project and Migrant Community

Our next stop is Lijiang where we take a morning cooking class which begins in a local market where we buy supplies to make three distinct Chinese dishes. In the afternoon we hike to Black Dragon Pond and explore the old town of Lijiang, before transferring to Kunming.

In Kunming, we spend time in a community center for migrant children, and then take an afternoon to conduct home visits to learn about the transition from rural villages to the cities. We also have the opportunity to interview the directors of this amazing center. On our last night, we share a special dinner and cultural performance as we conclude our time in China, reflecting on all that we have already experienced.

Sapa Exploration

Crossing the border into Vietnam, our next days are spent exploring the picturesque countryside of Sapa. We stretch our legs participating in hikes through the rolling tea plantations, soak under waterfalls, and spend our evenings engaging with our guesthouse hosts, learning about the practices and traditions of the many minority tribes located in this region.

Hanoi and Sailing in Halong Bay

After a day’s journey, we find ourselves stepping into the bustling city of Hanoi. Wandering the back streets of the Old Quarter, we sample Pho and other delightful cuisines, while visiting must-see sights, such as Ho Chi Minh’s tomb and the One Pillar Pagoda.

We then make our way to Halong Bay where we experience the breathtaking views from aboard a traditional junk. Basking in the warm ocean breezes and sleeping on a private island for a two-night excursion, we kayak, swim and relax, surrounded by the mystifying limestone cliffs of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Agent Orange Study

For the next week, we delve into the public health theme by living in a community outside of Hanoi that works with locals who have been impacted by the effects of Agent Orange. The aim of the village is to provide children and veterans with medical treatment, special education, and vocational training, with the goal of reintegrating them into their communities. We teach English lessons, help around the grounds and learn about student projects (such as embroidery and beadwork), all the while forming close friendships with the eager Vietnamese students who have long-anticipated our visit.

Travel to Cambodia and Clean Water Filters

We are welcomed into Cambodia by the gentle smiles of the Khmer people. We spend a couple of days in Phnom Penh, taking a river cruise down the Mekong River and increasing our knowledge of Cambodia’s history by visiting the infamous Killing Fields, before making our way to Kampong Speu where we partner with an inspiring NGO to build bio-sand water filters and install them into rural homes. These filters provide clean water for up to 40 years; a gift that directly impacts the health of each family. Working, eating and sleeping in the village, our days in Kampong Speu are rich in culture and community, and allow us to settle into the slower pace of the Cambodian lifestyle. Our final evening in Kampong Speu is spent celebrating with our new friends and reflecting on all that we’ve experienced.

Chambok Ecotourism and Homestay

Making our way to Chambok, we spend the next four days experiencing village life by living in a homestay. Our partners, the Chambok community, have protected 1,260 hectares of forestland from logging and hunting. Their ecotourism project is managed by the villagers themselves, and all revenues stay in the community. These revenues provide an alternative source of income to help villagers protect the forest and manage it in a sustainable way for future generations.

In Chambok we trek to waterfalls, make traditional crafts and volunteer in the women-run restaurant. Through our homestays, we experience a day in the life of rural farmers by growing rice and vegetables and assisting with the farm animals such as cows, chickens, and pigs.

Student Planned Module

Saying a sad goodbye to our dear friends in Chambok, we head off on our Student Planned Module. This module is totally planned by the students, with basic parameters put in place and a budget with which to work. We can’t wait to hear what the group will do!

Siem Reap and Angkor Wat

Traveling to Siem Reap, we find ourselves busy working at the nearby school and visiting the sights of this charming city. We take in the majesty of Angkor Wat at sunrise, wander down beautiful tree-lined streets, and improve our bartering skills at Siem Reap’s famous night market, all the while observing the differences of this new country.

Bangkok Orientation, Exploration and Buddhist Meditation Center

After a seven-hour bus trip, with rice patty viewpoint stops and a lunch break along the way, we arrive in Bangkok! Excited for “the Land of Smiles” and the last country in our journey, we eagerly embrace the friendly people and culture awaiting us. For our day in Bangkok, we sample incredible Thai delicacies and visit the famous sites of this bustling city. We also receive a thorough orientation to Thai culture, language, and customs. Leaving the city behind we travel to a meditation house to learn about Thai Buddhism and have the opportunity to study and practice meditation.

Rice Fields Homestay

Heading north to the Pathumthani Province, we experience the warmth of the Thai people with a five-night homestay in a rural rice-farming village where we live, work, and immerse ourselves in the lives of local families. Our gracious hosts invite us into their lives and show us the hospitality for which Thailand is famous. During our time here, we get a first-hand glimpse into the life of a rural Thai rice farming community. We spend our days helping our homestay families with their daily chores, learning about farming techniques and soaking up the rich culture of this friendly community.

Elephant Nature Reserve & Erawan Falls

Exploring the environment and conservation theme of our curriculum, we make our home in the jungle at a Thai elephant conservation center along the banks of the River Kwai. While at the reserve we learn first-hand about the human-elephant conflict and what is being done to protect this sacred animal. Throughout, our dedicated partners teach us the basics of elephant biology and how to care for these incredible animals. Our time at the reserve culminates with a visit to the nearby national park where we climb into the jungle canopy and look for elephants in the wild. Departing the reserve we try our hand at bargaining at the nearby floating markets and then spend a day at Erawan Falls; a spectacular National Park renowned for its aquamarine pools linked by cascading waterfalls.

SCUBA Diving and Reef Clean-Up

Our time in Thailand comes to an end relaxing on the serene beaches of a small island in Thailand’s Eastern Gulf. Here we explore the incredible multi-colored fish and corals of Thailand’s vibrant reefs. During the day we complete our PADI dive certifications while at night we enjoy the quiet beauty of the island. Those new to diving will have the chance to earn their Open Water Diver certifications, while experienced divers can earn their Advanced Diver certifications.

During the evenings, we present our Capstone Passion Projects and debrief what we have learned, the friends we have made and the passions we have stirred over the past ninety days. There is no question that our learning and living during these three months have prepared us for the rest of our lives. As we savor our last week together, we are excited to head home to share our newly gained knowledge and insights from our firsthand look at the global issues facing China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand.

*Please note: Itinerary and order of countries is subject to change

Below you will find several Group Journal excerpts, written by ARCC students during their Gap Year with ARCC: