Gap Pacific Islands PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

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1 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Track Orangutans While Working Alongside a Local NGO in Sumatra Raft Through the Rainforest and Cool Off in Waterfalls in Sumatra s Bukit Lawang Learn About Island Life and Rice Farming Through a Sumatran Homestay at Lake Toba Build and Install Clean Water Wells for Local Families in East Bali Surf the Famous Waves of Bali s Bukit Peninsula Study a Successful Small Business/Village Partnership in East Bali Shadow Nurses in Health Centers on One of Fiji s Most Remote Islands Become SCUBA Certified off Fiji s Beqa Island Teach English in a Fijian Primary School while Living in a Traditional Bure Gap Pacific Islands journeys to the far reaches of the Pacific Ocean where we immerse ourselves in the island lifestyles of Sumatra, Bali and Fiji. Trek deep into the Sumatran rainforest in search of the critically endangered orangutan. Build water catchment systems in Bali to help villages survive drought-like conditions between rainy seasons. Study firsthand a local food company and witness how an impoverished village partnered with this social enterprise to great success. Learn to surf on the waves of Bali s Bukit Peninsula. Settle into a Fijian bure where we are welcomed by the local village chief. Gain insight into primary education while delivering lessons to eager Fijian children. Explore health care by visiting nursing stations on one Fiji s most remote islands. Become SCUBA certified in the turquoise waters off Beqa Island. Reflecting on the lessons learned, experiences had, and the friendships forged, we conclude our semester excited to share all that we ve experienced!

2 SAMPLE ITINERARY Days 1 3: Gap Orientation in California We begin our semester with a Gap orientation in San Francisco, California. After a welcome BBQ with all ARCC Gap students, we settle into our Pacific Islands group, getting to know one another and our instructors. Together we map out our itinerary and set both individual and group goals for the duration of the program. We introduce our curriculum and brainstorm ideas for our individual Capstone Projects, all the while coming together as a traveling community. Days 4 6: Travel to Medan and Indonesian Orientation We fly together to Medan, Sumatra where we jump into our orientation to Indonesian culture, customs and languages. 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, with 52 languages spoken in Sumatra alone. For our first few days in Sumatra we learn the basic greetings and cultural forms of respect, and acclimatize to our new time zone and home. Days 7-15: Bukit Lawang, Orangutan Trek, and Homestay Leaving the bustle of Medan behind we travel into Sumatra s interior through endless palm forests to the small village of Bukit Lawang located along the Bohorok River. Bordering Gunung Leuser National Park, this community sprouted in the 1970s with the creation of the orangutan rehabilitation center. During our time here we spend a day tracking the critically endangered orangutan with our local host, rafting down the playful rapids of the Bohorok River, and continuing to form as a traveling community at our eco-lodge home base. After acclimatizing to our surroundings, we embark on our first homestay in the neighboring rice farming community. Welcomed by Dharma, our kind host, we settle into the simple stilted homes of our homestay families and spend the week teaching in the local primary school, helping out in the rice fields, and getting a feel for the rural Sumatran lifestyle. Our last two days in the village we pack smaller bags and make our way to the riverside for two 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. Days 16-21: Orangutan Rehabilitation Center Leaving Bukit Lawang behind we make our way deeper into the rainforest to Halaban where we volunteer at the orangutan rehabilitation center learning more about the conservation efforts taking place to protect this incredible great ape, found only in Borneo and Sumatra. While in Halaban we also spend a day visiting the palm oil plantation where we learn about the process of producing palm oil, as well as the harmful effects of these plantations. In the past 35 years

3 Sumatra has lost almost 50% of its tropical rainforest due to intentional burning of native forests to create these plantations. Days 22-29: Lake Toba Homestay Leaving the rainforest behind, we head south to the crater of Lake Toba, the largest lake in Southeast Asia and one of the deepest in the world. On Lake Toba we have an opportunity to experience another tribe within Sumatra, the Batak people, and spend a week learning about life in two distinct villages, one in the highlands and one along the lake. Alternating between learning to fish and working the fields with the water buffalo, we enjoy the opportunity to see a very different side of Sumatra. Our final days in Sumatra we spend in the town of Tuk Tuk at Lake Toba, picking up last minute souvenirs at this tourist hamlet, swimming, and reflecting on our experiences thus far. Days 30-33: Travel to Bali and Surf Lessons Saying farewell to Sumatra, we board our flight to Denpasar, Bali. Settling into our bungalows in Padang Padang in the Southern peninsula, we jump right into our surf lessons on Bali s famous waves. For the next few days we improve on our surf skills, play along Bali s white-sand beaches, and note the differences between Sumatra and Bali, two unique Indonesian islands. Days 34-42: East Bali Immersion Confident in our fledgling surf skills, we make our way to Bali s eastern coast where we spend a week learning about the successes and challenges of a local non-profit social enterprise that is working to create income-earning opportunities for poverty-stricken rural communities, provide education, both for the youth and through adult education classes, and teach locals to farm in a sustainable manner. We spend our time in East Bali visiting the local cashew company and learning about how this social enterprise partnered with the village to enormous success, working on infrastrastructure projects ranging from installing clean water systems in the school to hands-on work in the construction of a new building, and exploring our beautiful surroundings. Days 43-49: Ubud Explorations & Student Planned Module Saying goodbye to our friends in East Bali, we make our way 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, learning about the various religions practiced here, trying our hand in a Balinese cooking class, and practicing our bargaining skills in the endless markets. As we reach the halfway point of 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!

4 Days 50-59: Travel to Fiji, Nadi & Beqa Island Village Stay Leaving Bali behind, we travel by plane to Fiji where we jump right into our Fijian orientation in the coastal city of Nadi. The basics learned, we make our way along Viti Levu s Southern coast, before taking a short ferry ride to the tropical island of Beqa, where we are welcomed into our first Fijian homestay in a small village surrounded by turquoise waters. During our week on Beqa we finish the construction of a new kindergarten building and teach in the local elementary school. In our free time we get to know our wonderful homestay hosts, learn to fish the local way, and get lessons in Fiji s favorite sport, rugby. Days 60-63: Trekking the Highlands Saying goodbye to the coast for now, we head into Fiji s highlands where we embark on a 4-day trek through the lush rainforest of this verdant island. Stopping off in bungalows along the way, we soak up our remote surroundings, learn about the natural habitat, and practice skills such as Leave No Trace navigation by map and compass, and other important wilderness skills. Days 64-65: Ferry to Vanua Balavu With dirt under our nails and pride in our accomplishments, we take our hiking boots off and board an 18-hour ferry into Fiji s Last Frontier. Traveling through Fiji s many islands, we soak up the tropical views, then enjoy the sleep-aboard experience in our bunkrooms. At last we reach our destination, the island of Vanua Balavu, one of Fiji s most remote islands and a part of the Lau island chain. Influenced by the country of Tonga to the east, Vanua Balavu shows us a different side of Fiji, one influenced by Tongan food, language, architecture and decoration. Days 66-76: Vanua Balavu Homestay, Teaching & Public Health Our first five days on Vanua Balavu we spend in a homestay within a small, welcoming community. We soak up the opportunity to learn about the Lau people, their culture and the history they share with the island country of Tonga. During the days we pair up with a groupmate and jump into the education theme, where we deliver lesson plans in English, sports, nutrition and culture to middle and high school students. In the afternoon and evenings, we settle into the island lifestyle, whether it be joining in games of volleyball, rugby and badminton, exploring our new surroundings, learning local songs, or getting to know our new families. Our next section on this beautiful island takes us into the Public Health theme where we break into small groups and spend time shadowing nurses in the rural nursing stations. Given that nursing stations in rural parts of Fiji are often run by one nurse alone, there is ample opportunity to lend a hand to support these hard-working nurses, while simultaneously learning about health care within remote areas of Fiji.

5 Days 77-81: Snorkeling, Kayaking & Ferry to Mainland Our final days on Vanua Balavu are spent in and around the water, snorkeling spectacular reefs, kayaking into hidden caves, swimming on beautiful white-sand beaches and soaking up endless sunsets. Then, saying goodbye to this island paradise, we once again board the ferry, this time headed back to Viti Levu, Fiji s mainland. Days 82-90: SCUBA Certification & Departure We round out our time in this beautiful island country by returning to lush Beqa, where we spend five days exploring the incredible array of multi-colored fish and corals populating Beqa 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. During the evenings, as we take in our final Fijian sunsets, we present our Capstone 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: Itinerary and order of countries is subject to change

6 PACIFIC ISLANDS GAP CURRICULUM The ARCC Pacific Islands Semester provides unparalleled access to some of the most incredible people, places and experiences the world has to offer. Our contacts and relationships abroad allow us to immerse ourselves in the cultures we visit through homestays, service work, teaching and exchange. Going beyond the weekend visit, we take the time to plant our feet in each location, becoming part of the community at large. Eating, sleeping and living amongst the local people, we are welcomed as friends. Working in partnership with area leaders, we pinpoint worthwhile service projects and collaborate with community members to achieve a common goal. Refurbishing a school, building a community center or working with local organizations, our hard work supplements our education, organized around five major themes: ARCC S FIVE THEMES Investigates the growing problem of habitat degradation and loss of resources, especially the way in which this affects local human and animal populations. Compares the philosophy of education in different countries, how this translates into reallife settings, and what steps are being taken to improve education and literacy for local communities. Explores the often wide gulf between health care in different countries, as well as between cities and rural areas. Examines the issue of displacement, both in terms of urbanization and movement motivated by political or environmental concerns. Researches how communities make ends meet in an increasingly globalized economy, while working to maintain their unique cultures.

7 PACIFIC ISLANDS GAP SEMESTER: SERVICE LEARNING SUMMARY Location Theme(s) Field Experience Your Once In A Lifetime - Work alongside and interview the caretakers of the critically endangered orangutans Sumatra Orangutan Conservation Project Environment & Conservation - Join forces with a local organization working to de-escalate the human-orangutan conflict through the planting of trees Interview a Caretaker about her efforts to protect the endangered orangutan in its struggle for survival - Hike deep into the rainforest to glimpse the orangutan in the wild Sumatra Environment & Conservation - Learn about the process of rice farming by joining our hosts in the fields Make a Documentary Rice Farming Village & Homestay Urbanization & the Movement of Peoples - Live in a homestay for one week and learn about a rural villages' efforts to keep up in a rapidly modernizing economy featuring a day in the life of a rural Sumatran farmer as experienced by our hosts Sumatra English Language Lessons Literacy & Education - Plan and deliver elementary level English lessons in pairs at the community school - Interview the teachers to learn about access to education and teacher training Be a Teacher by delivering basic English language lessons to elementary aged students Bali East Bali Cashew Factory Microfinance & Economic Growth Urbanization & the Movement of Peoples - Visit the local cashew factory to learn about social entrepreneurship and economic development - Work in the factory for a day learning to shell, peel and harvest cashews Create Your Own Social Enterprise Proposal based on your time spent in the cashew factory, your interviews and your week of observation Bali Farm to Fork Cooking Challenge Environment & Conservation Public Health - Experience the farm to fork experience by fishing at sunrise with local fishermen, harvesting foods from the gardens, and then cooking over an open fire - Receive training and then deliver lessons to the community on hygiene and healthy eating Participate in a Traditional Balinese Feast including learning the religious significance behind these special occasions Fiji Rural Nursing Stations Public Health Urbanization & the Movement of Peoples - Visit rural nursing stations and learn about traditional Fijian medical practices in comparison to contemporary treatment Shadow Fijian Nurses and learn about access to health care on some of Fiji's most remote islands ARCC Gap Redwood Hwy, Mill Valley, CA, 94941

8 ARCC GAP SEMESTER REVIEWS Zander had the time of his life, and the organization of everything from keeping us informed to the semester itself is first-class. Congratulations to you & your team this is not an easy thing to pull off! Parent of Zander M., Boulder, CO, Bates 22 I would want students to know that you will not regret one bit of the ARCC Semester, and the times you spend here are life-changing and help your personal growth immensely. The friendships I made will last a lifetime.. Neha G., Wesley Chapel, FL, Nova Southeastern 22 Sam has always been a positive person, but the semester provided him a new perspective on the world that gave him a new sense of maturity, calm, strength and self confidence. He has a greater appreciation for the diversity of the world and was inspired by the many people he met and their resiliency. Parent of Sam W., San Rafael, CA, Brown University 21 Going on this semester with ARCC has made me appreciate the opportunities I ve been given far more than I d considered. Because of this I m more driven to succeed in college as not a lot of people get the chance to receive a college level education. Peter H., Lancaster, PA, University of Colorado 19 "We are thrilled that she/we chose ARCC! Very positive experience. Went in with high expectations and were not disappointed. Very well run, structured, safe program. She met great friends, learned a lot and was happy!" Parent of Becca S., Glencoe, IL, Tufts 22 Want to Learn More? Contact the Gap Programs Director: Sophia Weeks ARCC Gap Programs Director Sophia@arccprograms.com Ext ARCC Programs Pacific Islands Gap Semester