Program Guide:

The Changemaker: Fall 2024

Session 1: September 6 - November 15, 2024
ItineraryPacking & budgetingPre-departure checklist

Day-by-day itinerary

Note: This itinerary is subject to change due to availability and local conditions at the time of departure.

Tips to make the best of your experience

FREE TIME

Your free days and free time are YOURS to do as you like! What you do with this time really makes your Changemaker experience your very own. We encourage you to get out and explore the environments, towns, and cities you're in. Your EF Tour Director may also have suggestions or optional activities that you can choose to do. And of course you will definitely want to take days just to rest, relax, and do your laundry -- so listen to your body and take advantage of free time to rest!

Tips to make the best of your experience

ALTITUDE

In parts of Ecuador and Peru, you will be at very high elevation. To deal with being at high elevation, it is extra important that you get good sleep, drink lots of water to stay hydrated, and don't over-exert yourself, particularly in the first few days of your time at elevation. Symptoms of elevation sickness may include headache, fatigue, and nausea, so be on the lookout for these symptoms and let your Tour Director know if you need medical attention. Note that alcohol also has an extreme effect at elevation, so it is recommendable to drink little to know alcohol, especially during the first few days at altitude.

Tips to make the best of your experience

DEALING WITH INSECTS

As you go through tropical and sub-tropical climates, you'll encounter your fair share of insects, like mosquitoes! To protect yourself from itches and from diseases that can be spread by insects, make sure to use plenty of insect repellent. We recommend that you bring some with you, and you can also purchase repellent in most places that you're visiting if you need to stock up. It's also a good idea to have long sleeves and long pants as options to cover more of your skin, particularly during times like dusk, when insects tend to come out even more.

Traveling smart

Packing
During the Service & Sustainability parts of your program, you will spend most of your time outdoors doing physical labor, so ensure that you bring casual, comfortable clothing that you do not mind getting dirty. Out of respect for the local culture, we ask that you please dress conservatively during your service project; depending on the project, you may not be allowed to wear tight or revealing clothing, shorts above the knee, tank tops, sports bras with nothing over them, or leggings. You will have less restrictions during the Guided Exploration portions of your program, but you should always keep cultural appropriateness in mind.

Budgeting
Whatever your personal spending habits are, it’s important to anticipate your expenses and budget accordingly so that you can travel care-free with more time to enjoy participating in your program. While many meals and activities are included during your EF Gap program, we want to help you build a realistic budget for additional expenses so that you can fully enjoy trying the local cuisine, participating in activities in your free time, and, of course, shopping for souvenirs to bring back home.

Pre-departure checklist
This checklist will help you keep track of all the different tasks you need to complete prior to departing on your EF Gap program. In this section, you can also find relevant links to things like the Portal, your pre-departure webinars, and entry requirements for the countries on your program. If you see anything on the checklist that you have questions about, check in with your advisor!

Packing list
Budgeting guide
Destination-specific packing tips
Pre-departure checklist

Packing tips

BE PREPARED FOR BAGGAGE ACCOUNTABILITY

You will be on the move constantly, which means you will be responsible for carrying the weight of your luggage–and remember, elevators are not common in many foreign countries. Make this easy on yourself and don’t pack more than you need.

Packing tips

BE AWARE OF BAGGAGE ALLOWANCES

Bag allowances for checked bags, carry-on, and personal items vary by airline and route. Visit your airline's website to understand their policy. It is important you stick to this limit, as your luggage will need to fit on the bus with the rest of your cohort’s luggage. Airlines will directly charge you excess weight or additional luggage.

Packing tips

CONSIDER COST OF BAGS

Checked luggage sizes are generally no more than 29" in height and 45lb in weight; carry-on sizes vary by airline, so you will want to check once you know your flight information. Please know that if your bag exceeds the weight limit, you will be responsible for the extra cost per airline.

Packing tips

REMEMBER TO RE-PACK

We suggest packing your bag once and then re-packing it, taking out a few things the second time; the pack and re-pack method will let you do a trial run, so that you really, truly take only what you need. Trust us, there will be an opportunity to make purchases while you travel!

Packing tips

REMOVE ITEMS YOU DO NOT NEED

You do not need to bring sheets or bath towels; these will be provided. Additionally, you can buy an inexpensive beach towel once you arrive in any beach destination.

Packing tips

VERSATILITY IS KEY

Pack basics, neutral colors, and layers so you can easily mix and match. Pack items that can be dressed up or dressed down so you can use them for multiple locations.

Packing tips

TRAVEL LIGHT

We cannot stress enough the importance of packing light: it is vital that you bring no more than two bags–the standard is one checked bag and one personal item. Leave some extra room in your suitcase for souvenirs.

Packing tips

SNACK LIGHT

Bring a few granola bars or snacks for your initial travels, but no need to pack more food. A large part of your experience while abroad is immersing yourself in the culture—this includes the food you eat. Who knows, you may find a new favorite food!

Packing tips

TRAVEL TAGS ARE YOUR BAG’S BEST FRIEND

Don’t forget to put a luggage tag on your bags so you can easily identify them! We also advise taking a photo of your bags before you depart in the event they get lost or delayed.

Country guides

To make the most of your time during your program, this section gives some helpful context on the places you’re visiting. You’ll learn a litle bit about the history, culture, weather, key norms, and reflection questions.

Costa Rica
The Dominican Republic
Peru
Ecuador & the Galapagos
Social Identity Resources

Safety & Support

EF Gap Year is a key part of EF’s expansive global network. With a presence in over 120 countries, 52,000 staff, 600 schools and offices, and over 400 community partners our team has your back and is always available to help you succeed on your journey.

Your global support network
Questions about your upcoming program?

Your dedicated Gap Year Advisor is here to help every step of the way.