Program Start and Orientation

Traveling across the world as a group, we land in Medan, Sumatra, and kick off our semester with an in-country orientation to Indonesian culture and basic language. With more than 261 million people, Indonesia is the world’s 4th most populous country and is made up of over 17,000 islands. Indonesia is home to hundreds of different ethnic, linguistic and cultural groups; 52 languages spoken in Sumatra alone. For our first few days in Sumatra, we learn the basic greetings, cultural forms of respect, and acclimatize to our new time zone and home. We also 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.

Bukit Lawang and Orangutan Trek

Leaving the noise of the city behind we travel into Sumatra’s interior passing by endless palm forests and remote towns. Finally arriving in the small community of Bukit Lawang we settle into our new home situated along the Bohorok River and bordering the expansive Gunung Leuser National Park. Through engaging with our hosts, we learn that this community developed in the 1970s alongside the creation of an orangutan rehabilitation center. During our time here we track the critically endangered orangutan, camp in the pristine and protected forest, tube down the playful rapids of the Bohorok River, and continue to form as a traveling community at our eco-lodge home base.

Rice Farming Community Homestay

After acclimatizing to our surroundings, we embark on our first homestay of the semester in the neighboring rice farming community. Welcomed by Dharma, our kind host, we settle into the simple homes of our host families and spend the next few days helping out in the rice fields, assisting in on-going volunteer projects, learning skills such as traditional basket weaving, cooking Sumatran food, and getting a feel for the rural Sumatran lifestyle. Packing smaller bags, we then make our way to the riverside for three nights of camping in rustic river huts. After learning a lot about the conservation efforts taking place around the critically endangered orangutan we lend a hand by planting trees in the developing buffer zone, created to protect the orangutans from potential poachers.

Rounding out our time in Sumatra we cool off in the river, visit some of Indonesia’s most spectacular waterfalls, pick up last minute souvenirs, and reflect on our experiences thus far as we eagerly anticipate all that awaits us in Bali.

Surf Lessons

Saying farewell to Sumatra, we board our flight to Denpasar, Bali. Settling into our small hotel in Uluwatu in the Southern peninsula, we jump right into our surf lessons on Bali’s famous waves. For the next few days we improve our surf skills, relax along Bali’s white-sand beaches, and note the significant differences between Sumatra and Bali, two unique Indonesian islands.

Bali Social Entrepreneurship Study

Settling into a group homestay in a small community outside of Ubud, we begin our in-depth study into social entrepreneurship and its important in the livelihood of many Balinese people as they balance traditional ways of living with globalization and modernity. We also begin our deep dive into Balinese culture, customs, and language. Through our local partners we do site visits to various local nonprofits, including ones focusing on women’s empowerment, access to health care, proper waste management, education and food sustainability.

When not conducting site visits or attending culture workshops, we explore our stunning surroundings through hikes to local waterfalls, impromptu games of volleyball, afternoon beach visits, and through immersion opportunities such as participating in a traditional pig slaughter, joining a Melukat ceremony, and visiting local temples.

Ubud Explorations and Student Planned Module

Saying goodbye to our gracious homestay hosts, we make our way back to Ubud, the spiritual center and heart of Bali. Surrounded by terraced rice fields and ancient monuments, we spend the next few days exploring this beautiful city, which may include learning about the various religions practiced here, trying out Balinese yoga, or practicing our bargaining skills in the endless markets. We also take an afternoon to visit an incredible birthing clinic where we learn about Balinese access to healthcare, focused primarily on women’s health, through engaging with this center’s inspiring founder. Halfway through our semester, we also catch up on sleep and put the final touches on our upcoming Student Planned Module.

For the next four days we head off on our Student Planned Module. These days are 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!

Travel to Fiji, Nadi Exploration, and Namosi Highlands Immersion

Leaving Indonesia behind, we travel by plane to Fiji where we jump right into our Fijian orientation in the coastal city of Nadi. We take a few days to settle into the Fijian way of life by exploring the sleepy city of Nadi. Diving right into Fijian culture and history, we take a half day traditional dance workshop, and in the evening attend a local culture show through the same organization that focuses on an engaging tale of Fijian history and customs.

Then, basics learned, we say goodbye to the coast for now and head into Fiji’s highlands where we embark on a rural groupstay surrounded by Fiji’s lush rainforest. Sleeping in local homes, we soak up our remote surroundings through day hikes, exploring remote waterfalls, and engaging with our welcoming hosts.

SCUBA Certification in Pacific Harbor

For our last week in Fiji we spend five days exploring the incredible array of multi-colored fish and corals populating Fiji’s world-renowned reefs through our PADI dive certification course. Those new to diving will have the chance to earn their Open Water Diver certifications, while experienced divers can earn their Advanced Diver certifications.

(All students wishing to SCUBA dive must pass a thorough diving physical and cannot have used an inhaler or suffered from asthma in the past three years.)

Marine Study in the Yasawas and Departure

Saying goodbye to our friends in Pacific Harbor, we make our way back to Nadi where we catch our boat out to the Yasawa Island chain. Known for its quintessential white sand beaches and stunning reefs, this island chain is a must-visit while in Fiji. Settling into our campsite on Naviti island, we are welcomed by the local community and awed at the beauty of this outer Fijian island.

Diving into the conservation theme, we have the opportunity to work alongside our passionate partners who are committed to fighting the significant degradation of Fiji’s coral reefs due to pollution and the warming water temperatures. Joining the grassroots initiative within this small community, we spend our days in Fiji’s warm waters as we shadow and assist local marine biologists with their on-going work conducting reef surveys, assisting in coral planting, and helping out with their fish identification program. We also get our hands dirty joining a mangrove restoration project. When our day’s work concludes, we enjoy friendly impromptu matches of Fiji’s favorite sport, rugby, and soak up our tropical surroundings.

During the evenings, we take in our final Fijian sunsets, present our Capstone Passion Projects and debrief all that we have learned, the many friends that we have made, and the passions we have ignited over the past three months. There is no doubt that our experiences over these three months have prepared us for the steps that await us. As we savor our last week together, we are excited to return home to share our newly-gained insights and knowledge from our myriad experiences in Sumatra, Bali, and Fiji.

*Please note that the order of the countries and of the projects is subject to change depending on your group assignment.

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