Going on a trip with Dragons was such a positive experience for me. I learned so much and became so much more independent. I was able to get out of my comfort zone with the help of the instructors. They were incredibly supportive. All three of my instructors were very kind and interesting. They spoke both English and Spanish which made learning and communicating easy. Meeting locals while traveling was also a highlight, and I was welcomed into so many homes. It was a great way to learn more about another culture.

I loved my four weeks in Guatemala traveling with Where There Be Dragons. I went into the program scared, it was my first time traveling by myself, and I was not very confident in my Spanish skills. But I knew I would regret not taking the chance when it was given to me. Being able to wake up, and help make tortillas before walking to the Chico Mendez Reforestation project was life-changing. Treking for three days in the highlands and sweating my butt of just to watch the sunrise over Lake Atitlan was worth the price of the hiking. My most memorable time was my homestay in San Juan La Laguna, where I made friends with my six-year-old homestay sister, Willa. We played Uno, watched YouTube, and went on late-night tortilla runs down the street. I was accepted into the family first by my homestay mother, then my siblings, then the sister, then my grandparents, then even more family and friends. I felt so loved and cared for while learning Spanish and getting ice cream with the other students, and walking down the streets at night.

I got to learn Spanish, culture, history, friendship across language barriers, and more about myself, even through all the hard moments.

I just got home from 2 weeks in Guatemala. It was a great trip with some really fun kids. We did 4-hours of Spanish classes almost every day, which was definitely more than I was expecting. But I learned a lot in a short time. I expected more hiking but there was only a pretty easy day-hike up a waterfall- my favorite day. The homestays were great & the towns we visited were really cool. I really liked when we got to meet some rappers in Xela. The bus ride to Lake Atitlan was not easy & I wish I’d taken dramamine. Mostly the people made it a really awesome trip and we had a lot of fun.

My month-long intensive had ups and downs but overall the staff handled things fairly well. I had an amazing time with my homestay families and I remember them to this day. The trips we did, Semuc Champey, Santa Maria and so much more. I had a fantastic time despite the complications that occurred. The people I got to meet were incredible and I’m friends with some of them to this day. This month of exploration allowed me to grow into a more confident and adventurous individual and I’m very glad I had this opportunity.

At 16 I spent the summer in Guatemala with a group of students I had never met before. I had no idea what to expect. In the end, I learned more in my four weeks of travel than I did in my first two years in high school. The instructors were incredibly caring and helpful, and made the experience so much better. They were able to calm down students feeling homesick and answer all of our questions about language, history, and culture. The food during the trip was authentic and delicious, and we even had the opportunity to learn to cook some dishes.

The greatest lessons we learn are ones we don't remember learning. Traveling alone as a teenager is already nerve-wracking, not to mention being phoneless in Guatemala only furthered my path to self-discovery and pushed me outside of my comfort zone.
As I ventured out into the unknown I discovered new things about myself including my ability to think quickly on my feet and my love for sharing stories. Our lives back home were unimportant now. Forging deeper connections with the environment and others around me blinded my initial discomfort which led me to be more open. Whether it was tumbling up the mountains or hurting hands from kneading tortilla dough I was reminded of the effort it took to build something meaningful.
These challenges pushed me to thrive in any circumstance and make meaningful relationships. Being exposed to unfamiliar situations pushed me to discover things about myself, including my passion for fostering a better community that is inclusive of all.
Upon my arrival differences, I realized aspects of my life I had taken for granted which My host family jokingly poked fun at me for. Now I was a stranger in new surroundings, aiming to gain more knowledge. Through weaving clothing and learning how to make traditional dishes, I acquired a deeper consideration of the little things in life. Activities like eating at the dinner table together contrasted with my busy life in America as long shifts usually hindered my household's ability to accomplish. No matter how occupied they were, it was a daily occurrence. It was bonding through laughter during late-night Uno games and screaming at the TV when our fútbol team missed a goal that I earned connections that could transcend language. Teaching my host siblings more English while they taught me Tz´utujil reminded me of life back home of helping my brothers. Assisting others with their goals has always been a passion of mine.
Taking what I learned and applying it to clubs I lead like Spanish Honor Society and Black Girl Summit has helped amplify the message of service and giving back to underrepresented communities. This year we have implemented menstrual kits and donation boxes to aid those who cannot afford necessities during their period. In the Spanish honor society, we host activities such as toy drives and educational events to inform our students about ways to give back to the world around us.

I have participated in many summer camps and travel programs and Dragons was by far the best overall experience I've had and I am so grateful for the opportunity to meet many amazing people and learn so much about the culture of Guatemala. My instructors were amazing and my homestay families welcomed me with open arms. While at first it was sometimes hard to communicate, I became more confident making conversation through our daily Spanish classes and the constant interactions I had with locals. My independent study project allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the mayan culture through their traditional practice of weaving, an experience I will always treasure. I gained so much in the short four weeks I spent in Guatemala immersed in a rich and beautiful culture.

The Where There Be Dragons program is unparalleled to any other travel program. My six weeks in Guatemala was truly transformative and filled with opportunities to grow. The instructor team was experienced and cultivated opportunities that encouraged a broad spectrum of learning. The relationships developed both with the communities and among our group are still among the most memorable connections I have. Dragon’s program components create an intentional framework for travel yet each program is unique. I couldn’t recommend Dragons enough for anyone seeking to travel and I will forever remember the lessons and people from my trip. My six weeks in Guatemala allowed me to see the world in a new way, and I am incredibly grateful to Where There Be Dragons.