gap latin america - adventurescrosscountry.com · days 31 – 34: quito, cotopaxi national park and...

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS• DelveintoLatinAmericanCultureandLanguageDuringaHomestayon

CostaRica’sTropicalShores

• SurftheWavesonCostaRica’sStunningPacificCoast

• HelpProtectTurtlesComingAshoretoLaytheirEggs

• DiscovertheMeaningof“PuraVida”LivingonaCostaRicanRanch

• LiveandWorkinaRuralPeruvianSchool

• ExploretheEffectsMiningishavingontheAmazonandItsPeople

• WalkintheFootstepsoftheIncasandExploretheAncientRuinsof

MachuPicchu

• WorkwithGuineaPigFarmersinaQuechuaCommunityinthePeruvian

Andes

• FacilitateNutritionEducationtoCommunitiesDuringaHomestayon

theShoresofLakeTiticaca

ARCCPrograms|LatinAmericaGapSemesterwww.arccgap.com|[email protected]|415.332.5075

Gap Latin Americatakes advantage of our 20

year history of exploration

and service in Latin America and opens doors unimagined by the casual traveler. Tucked away in a remote

mountain village in Costa Rica, we discover the simplicity of “pura vida” working alongside locals to improve

the village’s infrastructure. Ziplining through the forest canopy, the vibrancy of the jungle beckons us with the

calls of toucans and howler monkeys. Navigating Ecuador’s Amazon jungle by canoe and partner with a local

politician to explore the effects mining is having on the environment and indigenous communities. Treading

in the footsteps of the Inca, we gain insight into an ancient culture as we explore the ancient ruins of Machu

Picchu. The abundance of life around us underscores the rich and unforgettable experiences of this Latin

America Gap Semester..

COSTA RICA | ECUADOR PERU

Days 14 – 19: Sea Turtle Conservation ProjectFromSamarawetravelsouthalongtheNicoyaPeninsulatoSanMiguel

wherewedelveintotheEnvironmentandConservationthemewithasea

turtleconservationproject.Workingalongsidealocalgrassrootsorga-

nization,wehelpmonitorthenestingactivityoftheOliveRidleyturtles.

Since1998,volunteershaveprotected2,618nestsandreleased129,529

babyturtlesandwecanonlyhopetodoourpartintheprotectionef-

forts. Inadditiontopatrollingthebeachesatnightandlearningabout

turtleconservationduringtheday,weparticipateincommunityoutreach

educatingthelocalyouthonprotectioneffortsandwhytheseeffortsare

important.


Days 1 – 3: Gap Orientation in CaliforniaWebeginoursemesterwithaGaporientation inSanFrancisco,Cali-

fornia.AfterawelcomingBBQwithallARCCGapprograms,wesettle

intoourLatinAmericagroup,gettingtoknowoneanotherandourin-

structors.Togetherwemapoutouritineraryandsetbothindividualand

groupgoalsforthedurationoftheprogram.Weintroduceourcurricu-

lumandbrainstormideasforourindividualCapstoneprojects,allwhile

comingtogetherasatravelingcommunity.

Days 4 – 6: Orientation, Rainforest Exploration and Whitewater RaftingWeflytogethertoSanJose,CostaRica,wherewearewelcomedbyour

localpartnersandjumprightintoourin-countryorientationtoCostaRi-

cancultureandcustoms.AfteradayexploringSanJose,weheadtothe

world-renownedPacuareRiverfortwodaysofexploringtherainforest

andnavigatingtheriver’sfamouswhitewater.Floatingourwaythrough

thepristineforestcanopy,wediscoverhiddenwaterfallsandnaturalrock

slides,continuingtobondasagroupthroughout.Makingourhomeata

riverlodgesetbackamongstthehugeleavesoftheSombrilladePobre

(“PoorMan’sUmbrella”),weusethisareaasabasetoexploreandad-

venture.

ITINERARY

Days 7 – 13: Language School on the Nicoya Peninsula Leaving the jungle behind, we make our way to Samara, situated on

theNicoyaPeninsula.ForthenextweekwesharpenourSpanishskills,

takingclassestaughtbynativespeakersandpracticingwhatwelearn

duringourhomestaywithlocalfamilies.Outsidetheclassrooms,wemay

choosetoparticipateinavarietyofactivities,suchasyoga,Zumbaclass-

esorkayaking.Wecontinuetocometogetherasatravelingcommunity,

refiningbothourindividualandgroupgoals.Ourpreparationincludes

furtherdiscussionofourcurriculum,includingidentifyingthefiveessen-

tialthemesandwhereeachwillbeaddressedthroughoutthesemester.

Days 20 – 26: San Isidro Conservation Project and Economic DevelopmentDeepinthemountains,wereturntoacommunitythatARCChasbeen

workingwith forover20years,San IsidrodeDota.Therewebuilda

smallpondwithspecificnativeplantsfortwospeciesoffrogsthatneed

protection. Inaddition,wehelpfinishtheschoolgreenhouseandthe

biodigestor.Wealsohaveopportunitiesforservicelearningandcultural

exchangebyhelpingoutwithfarmchores,workingintheorganicgar-

denandcookingmealswithourhosts.Inoursparetimeweexplorethe

rainforestsurroundingthevillageandspendtimewithournewfriends,

playingsoccer,sharinglaughs,andforgingbondsthatwilllastalifetime.

Days 27 – 30: Surfing on the Pacific CoastForourlastdaysinCostaRica,wecheckoutCostaRica’samazingsurf

breaks.Afterafewlessonswithlocalsurfinstructors,wefeelconfident

catchingthefriendlybeginnerwaves.Attheconclusionofourtimehere,

wereturntoSanJoseforafinaldayinCostaRicaasweprepareforour

nextadventureinEcuador!

Days 31 – 34: Quito, Cotopaxi National Park and Mindo ZipliningEcuadorisagemofdiversegeography,richculturalhistoryandunique

wildlife.Uponarrivial,wequickly learnwhyEcuadorstandsoutasan

environmentalleaderintheinternationalcommunity,butalsodiscover

thatthereisstillmuchtobedone.LandinginQuito,wearegreetedby

ourEcuadorianfriendswhogiveusabrieforientationandtourofthe

spectacularcapital,locatedover9,000feetabovesealevelandringed

byvolcanoes.WeziplineandhikethroughtheSantaRitaEcologicalRe-

serveandenjoylearningabouttheuniquemountain,Cotopaxi,thatisa

symbolofprideforthecountry.Finally,wehiketotheglacierandLake

LimpiopungobeforeheadingintotheAmazon.

Days 35 – 38: Amazon Petroleum MiningHeadingsouththetownofCocaintheAmazonRainforestwejumpright

intoourfirstprojectinEcuador.Therewestudytheeffectsminingofpetro-

leumandgoldhaveonthispartoftheEcuadorianAmazonanditscommu-

nities.Wevisitoilderricksitesandseethegroundwaterandsoilpollution

fromirresponsiblewaterdisposal.Whileherewehavetheopportunityto

interviewworkersatthesite.Wealsoobserveavianandaquaticwildlifethat

hassurvivednumerouspollutioneventsfromnearbypetroleumproduction.

Duringthissectionwehaveanopportunitytowitnesswhatillegalminingis

doingtotheAmazonbywayofdeforestationandpollutionandparticipate

inawatersamplingprojecttoseewhatthesedredgesdotothelocalwater

source. InCocawegainfamiliaritywithasustainablemicro-enterpriseby

workingwithlocalschoolstudentsmakingfruitpulpfromlocalmaterial.


Days 39 – 44: Life as an Amazon Cacao GrowerSettlingintoourhomestayswithlocalKichwafamilies,webeginanin-depth

anthropologicalstudyofcacaogrowersintheEcuadorianAmazon.Ecua-

dormakessomeoftherichest,mostdeliciousartisanchocolateavailable

andwehavetheopportunitytoexaminethiseconomicmarket.Wenotonly

learnhowexportingchocolateupholdsthelocaleconomyintheAmazon,

butweworkalongsidethecacaogrowersontheirfarmsandlearnabout

thechocolateprocessfromharvesttoproduction.Wealsoparticipateina

Days 63 – 72: Peru, Cusco Exploration, Home Reno-vation and Munaychay HogarWe arrive in our final country of the semester, Peru, and spend our first

coupledays in thecharmingcityofCusco,exploringcolorfulplazasand

markets, cobblestone streets and the Incan ruins of Sacsayhuaman scat-

teredatopthehillsideoverlookingthecity.Wethenbeginourprojectwork-

ingwithalocalnon-profitatahogarinUrubambaandrenovatingahouse

inPoroy.Ahogarisahomeororphanageandtheonewevisitisspecifically

foryounggirlsaged3-18yearsold.Herewehavetheopportunitytointer-

actwiththegirls,heartheirstoriesandinterviewthewomenwhorunthis

specialhome.

ThesecondhalfoftheweekweworkatthehomeofElizabeth,oneofthe

girlssponsoredbyourpartnerorganization.Shelivesinaverysimplehome

madewithclaywallsandsaggingrooves.Weplaster,paintandtile,working

alongsideafamilywith10childrenwhoaregratefulbeyondwordsforour

assistance.Thereisnodoubtthatourtimewiththisfamilyandtheaccom-

plishmentofourworkwillbeamemorywecherishforever.

Days 73 – 76: Cusco, Thanksgiving & Machu PicchuSayingasadgoodbyetoourdearfriendsinPoroy,wespendthenexttwo

daysinthebeautifulSacredValleytownofUrubamba.Wemaydecideto

participate in somecultural activities,workonourCapstoneprojects, or

takedayhikestothesurroundingpeaks.NotforgettingThanksgivingback

home,wemakesure to take theafternoonoff tocelebrate thisdelicious


Days 45 – 50: Tena, Rafting and Student Planned ModuleSayingfarewelltoourgracioushomestayhosts,wemakeourwaytoTena,

abustlingAmazoniantownnotfarfromCoca.Wespendadayraftingthe

rapidsoftheJatunyacuRiver,thenwetakesometimetoourselvestorelax,

exploreandjoininthelocalfestivalsandactivities.Afteracoupledaysin

Tena we embark on our Student Planned Module. These days are totally

plannedbythestudents,withbasicparametersputinplaceandabudget

withwhichtowork.Wecannotwaittohearwhatthegroupwilldo!

Days 51 – 62: Andean Village Stay Tradingthejungleformountains,weheadnorthtotheprovinceofImba-

burawherewearewelcomedbyourhostsintheGuachinguerocommunity.

It isabeautifulcommunitythat looks intothevalleyofOtavalo.Herewe

meet with the community president to learn more about its people and

helpwithaconstructionprojectattheschool.Thetwoteacherschoolfor

gradesK-7isintheprocessofexpandingbyaddingasecondstory,acom-

puterlab,officeandcafeteriaareaforthestudents.Wejumprightintothis

projectworkingalongsidethecommunitymembers.Intheafternoonswe

haveachancetointerviewthecommunitypresidentandteachersaboutthe

importanceand impact these improvementshaveonthecommunityand

itsstudents.Duringourdowntimeweplaysoccerwiththestudents,shop

atthefamousOtavalomarketandexplorethebeautifullandscape.Aftera

farewellceremony,wereturntoQuitoforourlastdayinEcuador.

community-widemeetingandpresentashortworkshoponglobalization

andinternationalmarkets.

Days 77 – 83: Sacred Valley Village Stay and “Clean Stove” Service ProjectLoadedwithphotos fromMachuPicchu,we travelhigh into theheartof

theSacredValleytoaruralcommunitylocatedontheplainsofthePampa

de Anta region. Surrounded by awe-inspiring, glacier-capped mountains,

thevillageishometo50Quechuafamilieswholiveofftheland,dedicat-

ingthemselvestofarming,sheepandcattleherdingandcultivatingnative

crops.Werollupoursleevestohelpcommunitymembersbuildnewstoves

for cooking in their homes. Working directly with families, we build new

stovesthatreducesmokepollutionandimprovetheairqualitycausedby

cook-fires.Inadditiontothehealthbenefits,thesenewstovesgreatlyreduce

theconsumptionofthenativetreesthatarerapidlydecreasinginnumber.

Wealsospendtimebuildingguineapigfarms,whichserveasasourceof

incomeandawayforlocalvillagerstoobtaineconomicindependence.In

ourfreetimewebondwithourgracioushostsandnewfoundfriendsaswe

swiminthelakeandteachinformalEnglishlessons.


Days 84 – 90: Lake Titicaca Homestay & DepartureThelastsectionofourtriptakesustoLakeTiticaca,thelargesthigh-alti-

tudelakeintheworld.Wetakeaboat-rideouttothefloatingislands,home

tothepre-IncanUrospeople.TheUroshavemadetheirhomesonforty-two

floatingislands,maintainedusingbundlesofdriedtotorareeds.Welearn

abouttheiruniquelifestyleonthelakebeforecontinuingontovisitTaquile

Island.Wewitnessthemenknittingfortheirfamiliesandlearnmoreabout

theunique islandlifeofLakeTiticaca.Uponarrivalbacktothemainland,

wearewelcomedbyourhostfamiliesinavillageontheshoresofthelake.

Wespendourdaysimmersingourselvesinthelivesofthecommunityand

learningaboutsomeofthehealthissuesintheregion.Wemeetwithmoth-

ersintheirhomesanddiscussthechallengesinprovidinghealthymealsfor

theirfamilies.Weinvestigatewhymalnutritionissuchasevereproblemin

ruralcommunitiesintheareaandpartnerwithalocalnutritionisttoeducate

thecommunityabouthealthynutrition.Duringthesecondpartofourser-

viceproject,wehelpbuildindividualgardensforfamiliestoplantseedsto

growvegetables,inturnprovidingthemwithamorewell-roundeddiet.In

ourdowntimewemayexplorethelakesidearea,playsoccerwiththelocal

childrenorswiminthelake.

Wespendourlastdaystogetherasagroupinthispicturesquesetting.Our

experiencesduringthesethreemonthswillstaywithusfortherestofour

lives.Aswesavorourremainingtimetogether,weareexcitedtoheadhome

andshareournewlygainedknowledgeandinsightsfromourfirsthandlook

attheglobalissuesfacingCostaRica,EcuadorandPeru.

holidaywithaspeciallocalfeastandwegivethanksforalltheincredible

opportunitieswe’vesharedthusfar.

Meetingbackupwithourlocalguide,wetravelbytraintothesacredIn-

cancityofMachuPicchu,the“GateoftheSun.”Afterspendinganightin

thetownofAguasCalientes,weenjoyatourofthesacredtemples,plazas

andceremonialbathsofMachuPicchu.WehikeupHuaynaPicchu(Young

Peak)tocatchabirds-eyeviewofMachuPicchu,whichisoneoftheSeven

WondersoftheWorld.

LATIN AMERICA GAP CURRICULUMTheARCCLatinAmericaSemesterprovidesunparalleledaccesstosomeofthemost incrediblepeople,places

andexperiencestheworldhastooffer.Ourcontactsandrelationshipsabroadallowustoimmerseourselvesinthe

cultureswevisitthroughhomestays,servicework,teachingandexchange.Goingbeyondtheweekendvisit,we

takethetimetoplantourfeetineachlocation,becomingpartofthecommunityatlarge.Eating,sleepingandliv-

ingamongstthelocalpeople,wearewelcomedasfriends.Workinginpartnershipwitharealeaders,wepinpoint

worthwhileserviceprojectsandcollaboratewithcommunitymemberstoachieveacommongoal.Refurbishinga

school,buildingacommunitycenterorworkingwithlocalorganizations,ourhardworksupplementsoureduca-

tion,organizedaroundfivemajorthemes:

Comparesthephilosophyofeducationindif-

ferentcountries,howthistranslatesintoreal-

lifesettings,andwhatstepsarebeingtakento

improveeducationandliteracyforlocalcom-

munities.

ARCC’S FIVE THEMES


Explorestheoftenwidegulfbetweenhealth

careindifferentcountries,aswellasbetween

citiesandruralareas.

Investigatesthegrowingproblemofhabitat

degradationandlossofresources,especially

thewayinwhichthisaffectslocalhumanand

animalpopulations.

Examinestheissueofdisplacement,bothin

termsofurbanizationandmovementmotivated

bypoliticalorenvironmentalconcerns.

Researcheshowcommunitiesmakeendsmeetin

anincreasinglyglobalizedeconomy,whilework-

ingtomaintaintheiruniquecultures.

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“We are still enjoying the incredible growth that Gabi experienced on the program. She came back a different

young woman in so many ways. More motivated, mature, independent and curious.”

ParentofGabiS.,WhitePlains,NY,Skidmore‘20

My Gap Semester was the perfect combination of directed volunteer work, experiential learning, and fun experi-

ences. I enjoyed every moment of the semester, from surf camp on the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica, to volun-

teer work and teaching in the Andes in Ecuador. The program instructors were very experienced, fun and helpful.

I am leaving this Gap Semester with a greater awareness, a sense of accomplishment from volunteer work, great

friendships, and three months of unforgettable memories and experiences.”

DagJ.,Gillette,WY,Brandeis‘20

“This program has proven to be a life-altering experience for me. It’s helped me to develop more individuality

while simultaneously learning to work better in groups. I never would have been presented with these unforget-

table adventures through any other platform.”

CyrusK.,Danville,CA,SFState‘20

“My ARCC experience has changed me in ways unimaginable and has made me mature in almost every aspect of

my life. I have gained a new family and now have 13 new brothers and sisters that I will stay in contact with till the

day I die. I don’t know any other way I would have liked to l spend this semester.”

ConorL.,Parma,OhioState‘20

“Not only has the program helped Alex to get a better view of other cultures and customs, but it has changed his

overall outlook on life and opened his eyes to new possibilities. He gained his own independence and confidence

in his own abilities as well.”

ParentofAlexC.,EmeraldHills,CA,DU‘21

LATIN AMERICA GAP SEMESTER REVIEWS


Want to Learn More? Contact the Gap Programs Director:

Sophia Weeks | ARCC Gap Programs [email protected]

www.arccgap.com

gap latin america - adventurescrosscountry.com · days 31 – 34: quito, cotopaxi national park and...

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