Accredited by the Gap Year Association, Youth International offers one month programs in Nepal, Kenya, Ecuador & Galapagos Islands, and India. Teams of fourteen peers travel with two group leaders, exploring the cultures of some of the most fascinating countries in the world. Trips depart twice each year in late November and late April.
Cultural Exchange
The core focus of Youth International is on cultural exchange. During the program, you will stay in both urban and rural communities for extended periods of time. You move in with families and learn about their life by living it yourself. On average, participants live with host families for about a third of the trip. Conditions in some homes are very basic, especially those in remote villages where there may be no electricity, running water, or other basic amenities. When living with families, participants are expected to follow the daily rhythm of the household and to help out with chores, meal preparation, or work in the fields etc. Most meals and evenings are shared with host families.
Volunteer Work
By becoming personally involved in the issues and needs of the communities you visit, you are able to give back to your host community and also deepen your cultural understanding. Youth International works with local leaders to develop sustainable projects that are community-driven. Some of Youth International’s ongoing service projects include: helping to renovate schools and homes in the Kathmandu valley, teaching English to Masia children in a remote Kenyan village, and doing conservation work in the Ecuadorian rainforest.
Adventure Travel
Get out there and travel on the local trains and buses, by boat, and even by camelback! Explore some of the world’s greatest cities, like Kathmandu, Quito, and Delhi. Go trekking through the Andes Mountains or in the Himalayan Mountains, across ancient pathways connecting tribal villages. Experience some of the world's most dramatic landscapes and diverse ecosystems, including such places as the Galapagos Islands, the Ecuadorian rainforest, the savanna of Masai Mara, the Thar Desert, and the Himalayan Mountains. By discovering a broader perspective on the world, you also develop a deeper understanding of yourself. Develop mindfulness as you journey with a small group of peers and two leaders through one of the world's most incredible countries.
College Credit
Optional college credit courses are available through an affiliation with Western Colorado University. These college credit courses are designed to enhance the existing Youth International program through complimentary reading and reflective writing. You do not need to be accepted into a university in order to take advantage of this opportunity. 529 Savings Plan funds and AmeriCorps Education Awards may be used towards the course fee and the Youth International program fee.