FAQs - Here are the Nuts and Bolts
Are these programs safe?
Adventure travel always involves some level of risk, but safety is our highest priority at Rooted Life Adventures.
Every program is led by experienced staff and supported by carefully selected local partners, professional guides, and established risk management procedures. We maintain small group sizes, provide 24/7 supervision, and develop detailed safety plans for all activities and travel.
Our New Zealand and Australia programs are based in first-world, English-speaking countries with excellent healthcare systems, modern infrastructure, and strong safety standards. Both destinations are consistently ranked among the safest and most welcoming places in the world for international travelers.
Our Costa Rica program takes place in one of the most popular destinations for American student travel. Known for its friendly "Pura Vida" culture, Costa Rica offers a stable tourism industry, reliable healthcare, and experienced local operators. We work closely with trusted regional partners and only use activity providers that meet our safety expectations.
Also, your student isn't disappearing into the wilderness. They're reachable. We're reachable. You'll know what's going on. Students keep their cell phones throughout the program, and parents receive direct contact information for staff, including Executive Director Austin Rogers. If something comes up, you won't be navigating a corporate phone tree or waiting days for a response. You'll know exactly who to contact, and we'll make sure you stay informed. We believe families should never have to wonder how their student is doing or who to call if they have a question or concern. You can text or call anytime.
Our leadership team has extensive experience operating international student programs, and we know the communities, activity providers, accommodations, and local resources our students use. While no adventure program can eliminate risk entirely, our goal is to create an environment where students can challenge themselves, build confidence, and explore the world with the support and supervision they need to do so safely.
Where are we staying?
We live in EPIC houses.
Not tents. Not hostels. Not constantly packing and unpacking. Not bouncing from place to place every few days.
Every Rooted Life Adventures program has a carefully selected home base where students live together as a community. We choose comfortable, welcoming homes in safe locations with reliable Wi-Fi, access to healthcare, grocery stores, and everything else needed for everyday life.
Our students aren't removed from the real world—they're learning how to navigate it. They shop for groceries, cook meals, share responsibilities, manage a household, and learn the life skills that come with living independently.
We choose accommodations that are comfortable, inspiring, and feel like a place you'd actually want to live. Many of our homes include features like pools, hot tubs, large outdoor spaces, incredible views, and plenty of room for the group to relax, connect, and make memories together.
Our goal is for students to feel at home. By the end of the program, many students have a favorite coffee shop, know their way around town, and feel a genuine connection to the place they've been living. Rather than simply passing through as tourists, they get the opportunity to experience what it's like to belong somewhere.
Most parents look at our accommodations and have the same reaction: "Can I come too?"
How do meals work and can the program accommodate dietary restrictions?
Students take charge of their meals throughout the program — and we mean really take charge! Each week, the group creates the menu, makes the grocery list, shops for the week, and divides into cooking and cleaning teams. Everyone contributes: you’ll spend a week on the cooking team, then rotate to the cleaning team the next week. Cooking, cleaning, and helping care for the shared home are part of every student’s daily responsibilities at RLA. Then we have family dinner every night, this builds some serious community!
The meals belong to the students. When they build the weekly menu, they make sure there is something that works for everyone — including students with dietary restrictions, allergies, and yes, our picky eaters too.
We can accommodate a wide range of dietary needs and have supported students with celiac disease, peanut and other serious food allergies, vegetarian diets, and other dietary restrictions. Because the group is self-catered, we have a lot of flexibility to build meals around the needs of the students in each house.
And something pretty cool happens with our picky eaters: many of them actually start eating more foods while they're with us. Food becomes part of the community. You helped choose the meal. You bought the ingredients. Maybe you cooked it — or your friend did. There’s a little more pride and a lot more willingness to give something a try.
For students with dietary needs, there’s another important piece: they’re learning how to manage those needs themselves. How do you read labels? Grocery shop? Plan a meal with friends? Make sure there’s something you can safely eat? Communicate an allergy or restriction to the people around you?
Our staff are there to help, especially with serious allergies and medical dietary needs, but the goal is the same as so much of RLA: learn how to do it yourself, with support around when you need it.
How many students are on the program and where are they from?
Each program has a range of 5-11 who often come from all over the United States. However, there are occasionally students from Europe or Canada.
Do I need a passport, visa, or vaccinations?
When traveling from your home country, it's essential to have a valid, up-to-date passport. Entry requirements vary by destination, particularly for U.S. citizens. For instance, Costa Rica does not require a visa, whereas New Zealand and Australia mandate a simple electronic holiday visa, which you can easily obtain when booking your flights.
Additionally, vaccination requirements differ by country. To ensure both safety and compliance, we recommend referring to the CDC guidelines and consulting with your personal travel doctor for the most up-to-date information.
Furthermore, once you're accepted into the program, our admissions team will guide you step-by-step through all the necessary country-specific travel requirements, ensuring you're fully prepared for your journey.
How do we travel to and from the program?
Students travel to the program together as a group. For our Young Adult programs, students meet at a designated international airport in the U.S. and fly together to their program location, where RLA staff meet them at the airport upon arrival.
For our Costa Rica Teen Program, RLA staff meet students at the designated U.S. airport and travel with the group to Costa Rica.
This program is voluntary, and students may leave at any time if they choose.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. There is always risk anytime you travel. We want to make sure our students are covered in case of any unforeseeable event. Therefore, we require that every student has travel insurance that covers 1. Medical coverage while abroad 2. Trip Cancellation 3. Trip interruption 4 Emergency evacuation services. Our travel agent at The Travellist will walk every family through insurance options and questions to make sure you are protected.
Do you interview the students?
Yes! We interview every student before they join Rooted Life Adventures. And yes, we do sometimes turn people away — but the interview is much more about making sure we’re the right program for you than deciding whether you’re “good enough” for us.
We care a lot about the groups we build and want every student coming into RLA to be looking for the kind of experience we actually offer.
If you’re looking for a semester to party, we’re not your program.
If you need a highly therapeutic environment, that's not us either.
But if you want a big adventure, want to intentionally build real-life skills, grow as a person, think about what you want your future to look like, and genuinely be part of a group and group schedule — you’re in the right place.
RLA is for students who want some support around when they need it, but also want that support to step back when they don’t.
The interview itself is just a conversation. We’ll talk about:
- What parts of RLA are going to be awesome for you?
- What parts might be hard?
- What do you need when you’re having a hard day?
- How can our team best support you?
- What do you want to get out of this program?
There isn’t a “right” answer. We just want to get to know you — and make sure that when we say yes, we really believe RLA is a place where you can thrive.
How is my therapist involved?
Continuing with your at-home therapist during RLA is completely optional. About half of our students choose to continue meeting virtually with their therapist each week.
For students who do, we believe there is real value in maintaining that relationship. Your therapist already knows you, your history, and the work you’ve been doing together. Rather than replacing that support, our on-site Wellness Coach works alongside it—helping you put what you’re learning into practice in everyday life.
Before the program, our team connects with your therapist to understand your goals, what you’ve been working on, and how we can best support you. During the program, we leave dedicated space in the weekly schedule for virtual appointments, help coordinate across time zones, and provide your therapist with weekly updates on how things are going.
This creates continuity between what you’re working on in therapy and what you’re practicing in real life—and helps your therapist stay connected to your growth when you return home.
Because our programs take place internationally, not every therapist is able to meet with a client while they are abroad. Each therapist is responsible for determining whether they can provide services based on applicable laws, licensing-board requirements, professional regulations, and insurance coverage.
Who do I contact if there is a problem?
Rooted Life Adventures is a small organization that provides personalized attention to each family. Therefore, you go straight to the top with any concern. Executive Director Austin Rogers is readily available and can be contacted directly via text, phone, or email whenever needed.
What is the technology policy?
New Zealand & Australia Young Adult Programs:
Students are allowed to bring cell phones and laptops, however, there will be times when technology is not allowed. These include group discussions, meals, and group activities.
Costa Rica Teen Girl Program:
Students bring phones for travel and safety, but staff hold them during the program to minimize distractions and support presence.
Students receive one hour of phone time each day (after the completion of orientation) to check in with family and friends. Personal technology such as laptops, iPads, IPods, MP3's, or gaming devices are not permitted. This balance allows students to stay connected while still unplugging enough to fully engage in the experience.
What is the alcohol and substance policy?
New Zealand & Australia Young Adult Programs:
Students may occasionally go out once per week as a group and are permitted to have 1–2 drinks with dinner. This is strictly when deemed appropriate by instructors, who are always present during these outings. Possession or consumption of alcohol outside of instructor supervision is strictly prohibited. Of course, all other substances, including nicotine and marijuana, are strictly forbidden.
Costa Rica Teen Girl Program:
Our adolescent program is entirely sober and maintains a zero-tolerance policy for the possession or consumption of any substances. This includes alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, or non-prescription drugs.
What are the qualifications of the staff on the program?
Each program includes 2–3 live-in staff members, so there is always support around when students need it.
Each group has a dedicated Wellness Coach—a licensed therapist who lives alongside the group and provides real-life coaching and support throughout the program. They lead wellness workshops, meet individually with students, support group dynamics, and help students work through challenges as they come up.
Our Program Instructors bring experience in outdoor education, international travel, and group leadership and hold required first aid certifications. They lead the day-to-day adventures, activities, and group living that make up the RLA experience.
Together, the team knows when to step in with support—and when to step back and let students figure it out for themselves.
Can parents visit?
OF COURSE! Family Day is one of our favorite traditions!!
We encourage families to come for our Family day on the last day of program. You get to tour the house, meet the staff, connect with other families, and finally see the place their student has been calling home. Be prepared for endless stories about favorite adventures, inside jokes, new friends, and life-changing experiences.
Many families turn the trip into a vacation. It's a unique opportunity to explore New Zealand, Australia, or Costa Rica with your student as your personal tour guide. After all of the photos you will be jealous and think - when do I get to go!?
We ask that families wait until the end of the program for Family Day rather than visiting during the program. While we understand that international travel can be expensive and not every family can make the trip, so no pressure if you can't make it.
Can I use insurance to cover the cost of the program?
Unfortunately, Rooted Life Adventures is not a formally clinical program, so insurance cannot be used to cover any of its costs. Instead, our focus is on providing psychoeducation for mental health and wellness, while allowing the at-home therapist to concentrate on clinical processing.
Can I get college credit on the program?
Yes! Students can earn college credit on our gap year programs for young adults. Please see our College Credit page.
Is this a therapeutic or clinical program?
No, Rooted Life Adventures is not a clinical or therapeutic program. Instead, we provide a supportive environment led by program instructors and an on-site wellness coach trained in trauma-informed practices. Our focus is on fostering personal growth, developing healthy social skills, and creating meaningful adventures—without offering clinical treatment.
Moreover, our coaching approach is forward-focused and solutions-based. We prioritize the "how" over the "why," empowering students to take actionable steps toward positive change.
How does Rooted Life Adventures prioritize environmental sustainability?
Rooted Life Adventures is deeply aware of the environmental impacts inherent in international travel and program operations. We actively integrate sustainable practices throughout our programs and organizational operations.
Current Accomplishments:
- As a fully remote organization without a physical office or owned vehicles, we minimize day-to-day energy use and carbon emissions.
- We rent housing and vehicles only as needed and prioritize shared transportation, such as a group van, to reduce emissions during programs.
- Our volunteer projects are community-based and include meaningful work such as assisting local food pantries in salvaging and preparing food to reduce waste and support those in need.
- In New Zealand, students volunteer on a sheep farm connected with Baskets of Blessing, engaging in hands-on stewardship of the land.
- Composting and recycling are standard practices in all program homes to reduce waste and promote responsible resource use.
Areas for Improvement and Future Goals:
- We recognize that flights represent the largest portion of our carbon footprint, and we are exploring carbon offset programs and other strategies to address this impact.
- We aim to develop a formal environmental sustainability plan that includes measurable goals for reducing emissions, sustainable materials use, and curriculum integration of ecological education.
- We are committed to greater transparency about our environmental impact and to fostering ongoing dialogue with partners and participants about sustainability.
Rooted Life Adventures views environmental stewardship as a continual journey. We strive to balance meaningful community engagement with responsible care for the ecosystems and cultures we work within, and we welcome feedback and collaboration to strengthen our efforts.
What does a typical day look like? Will I have free time and alone time?
YES, you will have free time and alone time! In fact, “Will I get alone time?” is one of the most common questions students ask us.
The basic rhythm of RLA is pretty simple: one main activity each day + your responsibilities as part of the house + plenty of downtime in between.
Each day has one main scheduled activity, usually around four hours. Depending on the day, that might be your internship, volunteering, a hike, a surf lesson, a wellness activity, or another adventure. Students are expected to participate in the main activity each day.
You’ll also contribute to everyday life in the house through your rotating cook and clean teams. You might be one of five people making dinner that week, and the next week you’ll rotate onto the team cleaning up afterward. Everyone contributes, but no one is doing it all themselves.
And then there’s free time — every single day.
A typical day might mean waking up, heading out for the activity of the day, and then having a big chunk of the afternoon free. You can sidequest — explore town, head to the lake or beach, grab a coffee with friends — or go home, close your bedroom door, and recharge. We also schedule a dedicated rest hour every day, because living and traveling with a group is a lot, and alone time matters.
Then we come back together to cook, eat dinner as a family, clean up, and settle in for the evening.
At the same time, part of RLA is doing more life. For some students, that means resetting their baseline a little — spending more time around other people, getting outside more, being away from screens, leaving the house every day, and honestly... just doing more in a day than they might be used to at home.
We don't schedule every minute, and we're not trying to exhaust you. But we do expect you to show up for the main activity each day and contribute to your community.
Do something meaningful every day. Help take care of the home you share. And still have plenty of time to rest, be alone, sidequest, and make the experience your own.
And if finding that balance is hard at first? That's exactly why our staff are there to help you figure it out.
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