For over 30 years, Dragons has run the most immersive travel programs available. Offering meaningful—and real—opportunities to engage as travelers rather than tourists, students are able to truly connect with the people and places they visit. Dragons programs are for curious students, who want to experience new realities and go beyond mainstream experiences. Through expert mentorship and support, students ultimately return home with new perspectives, and essential life skills.
Our approach is simple: build meaningful and long-lasting relationships with local communities, work with the best instructors, and stay true to our responsible travel ethics. Travel with purpose and gain skills. Hear stories, discover fresh perspectives, and engage with critical global issues.
Dragons students are travelers, not tourists. Dragon Gap Year Programs are authentic, rugged, and profound opportunities that expose students to the beautiful and complex realities of the countries in which they travel. Programs give students the rare opportunity to genuinely experience the places they travel and create meaningful connections across cultures. Several of Dragons Gap Year programs are available for college credit.
Immersive + Well-Rounded: Dragons students are travelers, not tourists. Course itineraries are built around nine Program Components which engage students in a wide range of hands-on activities such as homestays, trekking, apprenticeships, and language learning.
Small Groups + Professional Instructors: A typical group consists of 12 students and 3 instructors to ensure each student receives individual support and mentorship. On average our instructors are 30+ years of age, have 4+ years living abroad, and are fluent in the local language.
Handcrafted Experiences: We run a limited number of programs because we value quality over quantity. And we never run the same trip twice each program itinerary is intentional and directly infused with the regional expertise and passions of instructors.
Safety: Safety is our first priority. Over almost 30 years we’ve built robust risk management systems and have been vetted by key partners including Princeton University, Tufts University, the Gap Year Association, and the US Secret Service.
Responsible Travel: Dragons programs are environmentally conscious and committed to building meaningful connections. We run longer programs that maximize time abroad, offset carbon emissions, and empower students to learn service responsibly.
Where There Be Dragons Gap Year Dates:
Fall Semester: September 15th - December 3rd
Spring Semester: February 11th - May 1st
Cost for programs varies and is listed on each specific program page
Where There Be Dragons Gap Year Semester Programs:
Optional College Credit is Available
Japan: Arts, Food, & Culture
Guatemala/Mexico Semester: Spanish Language & Social Justice
Senegal Semester: Youth Leadership, Culture, & Art
Morocco & Spain Semester: Crossroads of Culture & Borderlands
Nepal Semester: Himalayan Studies
Bhutan Extension: 10-day Experience
Southeast Asia & China Semester: Travel Intensive
India Semester: Environmental & Climate Change Intensive
China Semester: Mandarin Language Intensive
Indonesia Semester: Conservation and Culture in the World's Largest Archipelago
South America Semester: Andes & Amazon
On my Dragons gap semester, I was sexually harassed by another student. I learned that two other participants on the program experienced the same harassment I did, so we all came forward together to the female leader on our trip. I was pretty traumatized by the experience and expressed this to the leader, but she did not seem to take it seriously and ultimately nothing was done for the remainder of the program. I followed up with Dragons after to inquire about why nothing was done and Christy Sommers (south Asia program coordinator) response was "We didn't want to upset you by bringing up the situation because we know that serious things like this can be hard to talk about." If they knew how serious it was, why was nothing done? They still have not been able to acknowledge that they mishandled the situation. I genuinely believe that they mean well and just have not sought out the training or support to navigate situations like this. I reached out directly to Reed Harwood about how Dragons has updated their response to sexual harassment and his response was that they take gender violence seriously AKA they haven't made any changed. I unfortunately don't recommend their programs for anyone who doesn't feel like a full adult who can take care of themself. I really wanted to love my time in Nepal but instead left traumatized. No one can learn in an environment they don't feel safe in.