ARCC Gap Programs
Vitals
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GYA Accredited Since:
2017
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Enrolling:
Yes - Mission Statement:
Since 1983 ARCC has provided life-changing educational experiences in places rarely visited and seldom seen. ARCC Gap Programs offer an educational and cultural bridge between high school and college and are structured around experiential education, project-based learning, cultural immersion, leadership development, and outdoor adventure. The ARCC Gap programs are semester-long and are an opportunity to live, work, learn, and explore in some of the greatest classrooms on earth. Designed with a rich educational fabric complementing each and every location, ARCC Semesters highlight regional issues that are directly linked to global challenges.
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Level of Independence/Supervision (mouse-over for definition):
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Attachments
Program Locations
Typical Itinerary
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | |
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W e e k 1 |
Hanoi orientation and initial explorations in language, culture and surroundings. | Continue orientation to Vietnam. Begin project with community that provides vocational training for youth affected by Agent Orange. | Continue project working with youth affected by Agent Orange. Meet with director of project to learn history of Agent Orange in Vietnam. | Cross-cultural discussion with Veterans from the American/Vietnam War. | Shadow students in their selected vocational classes and learn how they make and sell their own products. | Travel to Sapa for rural community stay in tea farming community. | Community Stay night 2: Trek through the rolling hills of Sapa and meet with members of Sapa's many regional ethnic groups. |
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | |
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W e e k 2 |
Return to Hanoi and take part in a cooking class. Enjoy your creations for dinner and explore local night markets. | Travel to Cat Ba Island and set sail. Sleep out on a traditional junk boat | Sailing/Kayaking/Environmental study in Lan Ha Bay. Sleep out on a traditional junk boat in the Bay. | Transfer to Phnom Penh. Begin Cambodia orientation and enjoy a sunset boat ride on the Mekong River. | Visit the Killing Fields and S-21 Museum. Examine the complex history of the Khmer Rouge and their lasting impact. | Travel to Siem Reap and begin project building bio-sand water filters. | Continue water filter project by installing completed filters into local homes. Explore Siem Reap's night market |
This two-week sample is a shortened version and taste of ARCC's Fall and Spring Southeast Asia Gap Semester. Each year ARCC takes into account feedback from prior semesters, as well as relevant regional and international politics and events to ensure the safety of each program.
Program Outcomes
- Personal Development and Reflection
- Reflection on Global Citizenship
- Leadership Skills Development
- Outdoor Adventure Activities
- Independent Travel Skills
- Global Theme Curriculum - Education and Literacy
- Global Theme Curriculum - Public Health
- Global Theme Curriculum - Environment and Conservation
- Global Theme Curriculum - The Movement of People
- Global Theme Curriculum - Indigenous Rights and Histories
Global Themes
ARCC Gap Semesters have a rich educational fabric complementing each and every destination, highlighting regional issues that are directly linked to global challenges. As a small community, ARCC students embark on a journey of discovery of people, places, cultures, and ideas. Over the course of their travels, students examine six global themes: Environment and Conservation, Public Health, Literacy and Education, the Movement of People, Indigenous Rights & Histories, and Social Justice topics.
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 work projects and community engagement. At the end of the gap semester, they organize our thoughts and actions into a final Capstone Passion Project. Students choose a topic and draw upon the rich experiences of the semester to examine it from a particular angle.
Project-Based Learning
Hands-on projects are a major component of the ARCC Gap Semester. Work projects are based upon ARCC's global themes and offer students an opportunity to give back to the communities in which they stay. ARCC has long-standing relationships with organizations around the world and is committed to finding projects that are impactful, sustainable, and locally driven. ARCC's hands-on projects are supplemented by our educational curriculum via readings and discussions, which serve to provide a background and a deeper meaning to the projects.
Cultural Immersion
Exposure to other cultures is one of the most significant opportunities for students during their gap year. On an ARCC Gap Semester, not only do students get to experience new cultures through daily interactions with partners, locals, or students our age, but they fully immerse through homestays, village stays, and participating in the daily traditions and local activities. As they immerse themselves in these cultures and learn about different projects and fledgling organizations, they are given the opportunity to be a part of the process by working alongside community members. Living in these communities helps our students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for what these communities and organizations are trying to accomplish.
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 effective leaders gaining valuable skills that will carry on for the rest of their lives.
Program Details
- Program Starts: Fall, Winter, Spring
- Program Duration: Less than 2 months, Semester
- Typical Program Cost: $15,000 - $17,000
- Program Financial Aid: Yes
- Other Financial Aid Details:
ARCC has set aside a pool of funds to be used to partially sponsor students who wish to participate on an ARCC Gap Semester, but are unable to afford the full tuition. In addition, ARCC's Voyagers Scholarship is specifically for students who identify within the BIPOC community. The amount of financial aid granted to a student depends upon the family's need, the tuition and the number of students applying for financial aid. A financial aid application can be requested from the ARCC Gap office by phone or email. Visit https://arccprograms.com/gap-overview/financial-assistance for more information.
Staff Training and Certification
ARCC Instructors are exceptional people of extraordinary character and experience. They are enthusiastic about serving others, travel, adventure, and most importantly, helping students learn and thrive. ARCC's comprehensive Staff Training sets the industry standard and is the prototype for many similar programs. Each ARCC instructor has at least 80 hours of Emergency Wilderness Medicine training and must be WFR or EMT certified. In addition to the extensive experience our instructors already bring to ARCC, they are also required to attend our sweeping 8-day Staff Training focusing on trip safety, group dynamics, logistics, leadership, communications, protocols, and emergency procedures, along with 7 days of gap trip-specific prep.