No other program is as well thought, diverse, inclusive, and purely enlightening as Where There Be Dragons. I ventured all the way to Thailand to meet instructors that shared with me their own timeless wisdom from their home countries. With them and twelve other individuals, I learned more than I have ever in my short life. I was surrounded by people that radiate beauty like no others and we easily became as close as family. I have never felt so immersed in a culture, and I assure anyone that you will feel the same. I was so impressed by their structure that was just loose enough to where we could mold our trip as a group. Now I can really say that I lived as a true traveller for one spectacular month of my life.

I have never been so blown away by a summer trip. I have taken many summer trips with different programs throughout high school, but found this trip to be the most meaningful. I went on the 4-week North India trip, which entailed hiking in the Himalayas while being surrounded by the culture of the specific region. I loved that I was, not only absorbing a new culture through homestays and personal interactions with locals, but also having discussions, classes, and reflections with the group to go over everything that we saw and everything we wanted to know. My dragons leaders are some of the coolest and smartest people I know, they led by example, showing us how to live and travel with purpose, as well as were super knowledgable about each place we went. If you want to go out of the country and have a purposeful experience - go on a dragons course and truly immerse yourself in many new cultures!

Life changing experience trip to Thailand. So much to learn and certainly an experience which opens the mind to different cultures and perspectives. 100% recommended.

My Dragons experience cant be summed up into a review. The month I spent in Peru has made me into a better, happier, more aware, and more fulfilled person. I learned so much about myself and the world through my trip with Dragons. The people who accompanied me our my are all like-minded and incredible people, who care deeply about the world. The instructors were bright, kind and thoughtful. Every activity done on our trip had significant meaning, and was well planned out. Dragons is an incredible organization, I could not be more thankful for the experience it provided me.

Where There Be Dragons is an incredible organization with instructors that are life-changing mentors and community leaders. (All three of my instructors were, along with every other Dragons instructor that Ive met since.) I learned a lifetimes worth of lessons from my South America semester in 2018. I cannot recommend their programs highly enough, for many reasons. Their administrative communications (always a perfect mix of warm and professional) are excellent. Their courses provide daily unique, priceless opportunities for genuine adventures and for real connections with the folks who live in program destinations. The dynamic nature of their course itineraries allow for group-specific travel experiences that feel personally fulfilling to all involved. With a combination of flexibility and solid, supportive structure, my Dragons course allowed me to build the foundational skills I needed to learn to travel on my own. Lastly, the critical cross-cultural questions that Dragons embraces make this gap year organization stand out among others in the field. I traveled with Dragons in the hopes of learning about my role and impact as an American traveler and aspiring global citizen, and the questions that we unearthed during our course have remained important to my life and continue to motivate me today. Two years after my trip, still not a day goes by that my Dragons experience is not present in my life. Where There Be Dragons rocks!!

Dragons is an incredible community of passionate and inspiring educators and students. Dragons pushes students to engage in deep learning about the world and about themselves. My semester course in Bolivia and Peru was transformational, and I came home with a difference perspective about my priorities and values.While the communities in which we traveled are central to the experience, Dragons students and instructors really set the organization apart. Instructors are experts in their countries, and comprise a community of activists and change makers who carefully craft each individual program. Students are some of the most inspiring, motivated, and passionate people I have ever met. Overall, Where There Be Dragons is an incredible organization.

This summer I spent the month of July exploring Northern Thailand with Dragons. During my time there I developed a newfound love for Mother Nature and story telling. Participating in this program allowed me to meet and spend time with a group of amazing individuals who I still talk to today. If you can I highly recommend you participate in a Dragons program! I am definitely a new person because of the people and my time spent in Thailand.

I spent a Month in Peru, and was the best month of my life. The instructors made the trip the way it was. I left feeling like I had a second family, and am still in awe of everything that I went through with my group. Visiting with the local people, watching the world cup with them, hiking in the mountains, and watching the stars and sunrises made my trip unforgettable

I went to Morocco over the past summer. I stayed with local families and was totally immersed in their culture. Tea... lots and lots of tea. But it was really good, so Im not complaining. We also hiked through the Atlas mountains, it stunned me with its beauty. All of the students and the instructors formed a bond like no other. The trip was a totally new experience for me; and it was amazing!

Where there be Dragons offers an experience like no other. I first went with them to Peru in 2016 for 6 weeks, not only did I enjoy my time in country through authentic experiences and witnessing the culture first hand, but was also part of an incredible group filled with amazing, open minded, and adventurous students, but also instructors that consistently pushed me out of my comfort zone. I couldnt get enough, so in 2018 I went to China along the Silk Road. Not only is each experience unique and incredibly valuable, but the way they facilitate the group and allow for student leadership made my confidence soar. Along the way I pushed myself physically, emotionally, and grew as a person.I recommend Dragons and what they offer to everyone. Their service, level of care and knowledge, and what the instructors bring to the table, is like no other organization.Truly, with Dragons, I have stories and made bonds that will last for a life time.

Put simply, Dragons is an incredible organization comprised of passionate, intelligent indiviudals. Dragons students are open-minded, curious and adventurous. Instructors are experts in the countries they teach in and build unique courses each season. No two Dragons courses are the same—which is just one factor that sets the organization apart from others in the field. If you care about traveling ethically, digging deep into the places you travel to and seeking answers to large, important questions, Dragons is the organization for you.

Most incredible summer experience I could’ve asked for. I traveled for six weeks to Indonesia. I stayed with local communities, engaged in rugged travel, and that people all over the world. No other program can offer you the same experience. It taught me so many valuable lessons about myself and who I am as a person and leader. Highly recommend.

Dragons helped me seek out the unknown in the world around me and within me. From hiking in the Andes to home stays in the Amazon forest to fishing for piranhas, I experienced things I never had before. Awesome people, experiences, and mission. 6/5 stars if I could!

In 2016 I spent my gap semester backpacking in Bolivia and Peru with Dragons. My experience was absolutely incredible.Ive made lifelong friends, learned lifelong lessons, and have made connections in South America that bring me to Boston, California, Colorado, and many other places.I am now an alumni ambassador for the program, providing outreach in the Boston area and continuing my presence in the Dragons and Global community.Taking time off before starting the next chapter of your life (or at any time!) is a really valuable experience that I think all people should consider. If you or any of your family/friends have considered taking time off to have a different type of experience, I strongly recommend considering these programs.

Dragons is such a unique organization that has changed the way I see myself and the world. Truly committed to cultural immersion, authentic experiences, leadership development, self-reflection, and safety, its inspiring staff and incredible programming makes the world a better place. I wish I could go back every day, but I know the experiences I had will stay with me for the rest of my life.

I had a great time on my Dragons trip! It was great to be able to go with 10 other people traveling through China. It was super cool to get to know my instructors and the other people I went with. We started in Shanghai. By the end, we were in Tibet.

Incredible organization with high quality programs, amazing leadership, and wonderful ethics and integrity.

I went on the North India Summer trip and I honestly didnt know how much just four weeks could change my life. It was an amazing experience with some of the most inspiring people I have ever meet.

One of the most positively impactful decisions I have ever made was to choose to go on the Where There Be Dragons trip to India this summer. I spent a month in the Ladakh region of Northern India, in the Himalayas, with a wonderful group of instructors and fellow students. Where There Be Dragons is an amazing organization that puts a big emphasis on mindful travel, experiential learning, and understanding the culture and environment one is in. This summer, I learned so much about my impact as an individual and the communities in which I was in. I could not recommend this organization enough (and the North India trip!) to anyone who is interesting in a life-changing, thought-provoking, and beautiful adventure.

Simply one of the best summer abroad programs out there! I learned so much from my trip to Madagascar. Definitely a life changing experience!

Dragons has shown me new versions of myself. I came home with more questions than answers. What is privilege? What is community? These are ideas that guide my daily life!!

I dont like putting my name on many things, but without a single hesitation (and knowing it intimately), I can say that Dragons is comprised of a network of modern and peaceful educators; calling together people with passion, integrity, ingenuity and vision for being the change they want to see in the world. As a participant, instructor or admin: Youll never find a circle of community like the one within Dragons.

Grateful to have had been able to attend a trip to China. While in China I answered a lot about my Chinese culture and many other things.

I’ve done two Summer dragon programs, one in Nepal and one in Myanmar. Although vastly different programs, I learned something about the world and myself in both trips. Something I love about Dragons is their value on diverse thinking methods. They teach you new ways to see the world in ways you’ve never dreamed of understanding. Both trips brought me closer to nature, to people, and to myself. I am extremely grateful to Dragons, specially for giving me a scholarship (twice!) to go on their programs. Dragons is a life changing experience, and is only recommended if your willing to have your mindset permentaly changed and if you’re open to new possibilities in life. Another amazing thing about Dragons is their views on other cultures. In my search for study abroad programs I always found a common trait in all of them: the superiority complex they all seem to have, the volunteering aspect is the most common. But Dragons accepts that we are students in this foreign country, and the people deserve all our respect. We are there to learn from them, not to fix them. The goal should be to exchange ideas and discover another way of life that is equally valid to the western lifestyle we are used to. Dragons perfectly imbodies respect, curiosity, and adventure. 10/10 recommend!!

I had three kids go on Where There Be Dragons trips, something that was only possible because of WTBDs extremely generous financial aid program. For all three of my kids, their time with WTBD was life changing. The WTBD philosophy of study abroad resonated deeply with all of them, namely the idea that high school students should go abroad not to change the world--they dont have the experience or the skills to do so--but to have the world change them. When these changed high schoolers become adults and acquire valuable skills, skills that can make a real difference, they will have the kind of worldview to do so in a responsible manner. They will, for one, know how to listen to the people they hope to help. All three kids got to know wonderful host families, memories of whom will be with them forever. And they got to know fellow Dragons, almost all of whom were amazing people in their own right. Finally, and not incidentally, the WTBD experience gave them a level of understanding that is a valuable asset for anyone hoping to function effectively and successfully in a globalizing world.

This was the most amazing trip I have ever taken... Thank you WTBD!!!

Love this org!