Student Participants

The Pangaea Project partners with three alternative high schools to recruit students. Each school partner designates a partner teacher to serve as our organization's main contact. The partner teacher and other school faculty and staff lend a tremendous amount of support to The Pangaea Project as we recruit, select, train, and journey with our participants.

Presently The Pangaea Project only accepts applications from students who attend one of our partner schools; however, we hope to expand our services to other schools and community-based organizations in coming years.

The Pangaea Project's 2010 school partners:

• Mt. Scott High School
• Open Meadow High School
• Portland YouthBuilders

The Pangaea Project's past partners:

• Franklin High School
• Leadership and Entrepreneurship Public Charter High School
• POIC/ Rosemary Anderson High School
• Roosevelt High School: Spanish-English International School

Students undergo a comprehensive, competitive application process which includes essays, letters of recommendation, and health history followed by an interview. There is no minimum grade point average or language requirement for students.

Criteria for acceptance:

• Attend one of The Pangaea Project’s partner schools;
• 16 years old by the date of travel;
• Eligible for free or reduced lunch program and/or live at or below 80% of the median family income as defined by the Bureau of Housing and Community Development and/or provide evidence that the participant's family does not have adequate resources to contribute to the international experience;
• Proven record of commitment, dedication, and follow-through;
• Exhibit leadership skills or strong leadership potential; and
• Have a strong desire to travel the world and a passion for social change.