Global Perspective Scholarship

Rustic Pathways empowers students to positively impact lives and communities around the world through its innovative and responsible travel experiences.

We are committed to creating a world where:

Travel is accepted as an essential part of every education.
Travel is a model of sustainable development.
All people are connected by a shared humanity and all decisions are made with a global perspective.
Rustic Pathways is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a high school or college student attending an accredited U.S. college or university in 2020. $1,000 will also be granted to the school that referred the winning student.

To apply for this scholarship, follow the instructions below. Submit the online application form and answer the following essay question (under 1,000 words):

In The Prisoner by Marcel Proust, the narrator comments about art that:

“The only true voyage of discovery, the only fountain of Eternal Youth, would be not to visit strange lands but to possess other eyes, to behold the universe through the eyes of another, of a hundred others, to behold the hundred universes that each of them beholds.”

How might travel enhance your ability to “possess other eyes”, and why might this be important to you?

Entry Deadline: August 1st, 2020 11:59 PM PDT.
Apply Now

Awards
1st Place: $1,000 (1 Winner)
2nd Place: $250 (3 Winners)
3rd Place: $100 (5 Winners)
Finalists: $25 (50 Winners)
Fifty finalists will be contacted with instructions for the second round. Finalists will be prompted with a question for a video submission. From these fifty submissions, one grand prize winner and eight runner-ups will be chosen to receive the scholarship awards.

An award of $1,000 will also be granted to the school that referred the first place winning student.

Apply Now

What’s the Process?
1. Review the essay question (answer must be under 1,000 words).

In The Prisoner by Marcel Proust, the narrator comments about art that:

“The only true voyage of discovery, the only fountain of Eternal Youth, would be not to visit strange lands but to possess other eyes, to behold the universe through the eyes of another, of a hundred others, to behold the hundred universes that each of them beholds.”

How might travel enhance your ability to “possess other eyes”, and why might this be important to you?

2. Complete and submit the online application form by August 1st, 2020 11:59 PM PDT.

Judging will be based on the quality of the submission.
Judges will look for writing that is clear, articulate and logically organized.
3. Read and agree to the following:

Rustic Pathways Scholarship Terms and Conditions
Rustic Pathways Media Release and Consent Agreement
For more information, contact us at scholarships@rusticpathways.com.

Awards
Fifty finalists will be prompted with a question for a video submission for the 2nd round. From these fifty submissions, one 1st place winner and eight runner-ups will be chosen to receive the scholarship awards.

One student in good academic standing (has a GPA of 3.0 or above) will receive the 1st place prize of $1,000 for tuition and/or books. An award of $1,000 will also be granted to the school that referred the winning student.

Apply Now
Scholarship Eligibility
This scholarship is open to high school and college students who will be attending an accredited college or university in the United States in 2020. Student must be in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or above from an accredited U.S. high school, college or university.

Students must follow all instructions and agree to Rustic Pathways’ Scholarship Agreement.

Students must submit and complete the application form by August 1st, 2020 11:59 PM PDT. No exceptions will be made for applicants after the deadline.

For any questions, please contact scholarships@rusticpathways.com before signing and accepting the award.

About Rustic Pathways
Rustic Pathways has been the leader in global teen adventure travel and community service programs since 1983. Through purposeful design, we create culturally-immersive travel programs for students ages 12 to 22, customizable teacher-led trips for school groups, and gap year semesters for recent high school grads.

We cannot thank Rustic Pathways enough for the generous scholarship that you awarded Nancy, as it opened the door to her for a life-changing experience.
Quote by:Rich Hollingsworth Rustic Gap Year Scholarship, 2018

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send my essay after the deadline?
Can I send my essay before the deadline?
How can I verify my essay was received?
Can I still enter the contest if I’m a home-schooled student?
If I’m a home-schooled student, do I get the additional award that would have gone to the referring school?
Can I still enter the contest if I’m an international student?
When will I be contacted if I’m a finalist?
When will I be contacted if I’m not a finalist?
What are the next steps if I’m a finalist?
Rustic Pathways Scholarship Agreement
The following statements, acknowledged and signed by you below, are required to process your scholarship application. Processing of your application and disbursement of any scholarship funds is contingent upon your reading and acknowledging that you have read and understand all of the following by the application deadline.

Terms and Conditions
To remain eligible and accept the scholarship award, you must accept the following terms and meet all of the following requirements:

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Media Release and Consent Agreement
This Media Release and Consent Agreement is granted by the Individual Rustic Pathways Scholarship Recipient, effective upon the finalist receiving and signing the Scholarship Acceptance Form.

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The parties, both Rustic Pathways and Scholarship Recipient, hereby mutually agree to the following terms of release and consent:

Rustic Pathways desires to use the below-identified materials in connection with the publication and distribution of materials, in various media, regarding and/or promoting Rustic Pathways, its activities or accomplishments.

Photographic and video materials incorporating scholar’s name and/or image.

Electronic or digital materials incorporating scholar’s name and/or written words. Printed materials incorporating scholar’s name, likeness and/or image.

Web-based or other electronic or digital materials incorporating scholar’s name, image, likeness, voice and/or spoken or written words.

For any questions, please contact scholarships@rusticpathways.com before signing and accepting the award.