Program Reviews

The Dragons Nepal program changed my life in so many ways. From gaining new skills, to making new connections, to seeing from new perspectives, every day during the semester was full of growth. The connections that dragons has in Nepal create opportunities that you wouldn't be able to find anywhere else, such as learning from local artisans and world-renowned artists, becoming truly immersed in the culture through homestays and participation in community events, extensive language study, trekking, and more! This program has inspired me and taught me so much about the world as well as myself and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in taking a gap year.

I loved my time with Dragons. The instructors were kind, fun, and incredibly knowlegeable about Nepal. I loved my group and feel that I made some of my closest friendships on the trip despite the relatively short timespan of two and a half months. Both of my homestay families were wonderful and I learned a great deal from both of them, creating strong and meaningful connections. The program allowed me to be challenged and have a great adventure while being supported and safe throughout. Thank you Dragons!

Going on this semester trip was life changing in so many ways. My group traveled around Morocco and Spain and we spent the whole time learning so much about the history of where we were, how it all tied together, and immersing ourselves in new cultures. The instructors were so knowledgeable and their passion for sharing fun facts, helping us meet new people, and making sure we were able to learn all we wanted truly made this trip invaluable. We got to experience history by walking through ruins and palaces, and the whole atmosphere encouraged learning and immersing ourselves in the experience.

It was one of the best experiences of my life, thank you so much. Had an amazing time. The instructors were very interesting, and smart and helped us a lot with our growth during the program. The people we met were so special and I really want to come back and visit everybody. The group was so fun, I made friends for life and I recommend this program to everyone who wants to do something different and challenging. You will have the best time of your life.

My Nepal gap semester program with Dragons was one of the most memorable and special experiences of my life. The various activities organized by instructors, such as creating and sharing life maps, ensured that everyone in the group got to really know each other and get comfortable with everyone. This really helped foster a strong group dynamic.

Throughout my course, I was surprised at the amount of freedom/free time that we as students were given. Whether it was in the quiet village or the big bustling city setting, there was time to explore, shop, and perhaps most importantly, practice our language skills with locals.

I think the Nepal gap semester program offers a well-rounded and rich experience. From getting to plan a part of the trip to living with families in rural and urban settings and trekking with a whole crew of porters\cooks under the watchful gaze of the Himalayas, this program has something for everyone. I couldn’t recommend it more!!

My experiences in the Nepal semester with Where There Be Dragons were truly life changing. Where There Be Dragons is an incredibly thoughtful organization that cultivates educational and community building trips. The program components give students the tools to be successful travelers and the instructors encourage independence at every turn. I would wholeheartedly recommend the Nepal program for any student seeking to embark on a gap semester. Dragons has strong connections throughout Nepal and the program features a diverse set of experiences including trekking, homestays, Buddhist studies, and language learning. I had a wonderful instructor team and all of the individuals I met who were connected to Dragons are amazing. If you are seeking to grow as an individual, leader, and global citizen through travel, this program is the perfect fit!

My semester in Guatemala (ended a week ago!) was truly the most transformative time in my life. Not only did my Spanish become almost fluent, but I learned so much about Guatemalan history and culture and about myself. The home stays were perfectly coordinated and matched to build deep relationships, and all of the activities were thoughtfully chosen and executed to bring the best and most profound experience. I cannot say enough about Dragons! It was definitely exhausting and difficult, but worth every second of it. The instructors were super supportive but also let me have my own experience - dragons teaches you how to teach yourself! There’s a lot of independence and self initiative needed to get the most out of a dragons experience, so come ready to put in the work to really enjoy your time.

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.

I did this semester program in the spring between high school and college, and I don't think I would've adapted to college as well as I have without it. Our 3 instructors were kind and helpful and amazing (2 of them were Nepali, so great for culture tips!) and the variety of experiences the program provided was great. We (group of 10 students total, ages 17-20) traveled between homestays in rural and urban areas, a buddhist retreat, three weeks of trekking in the Himalayas, a charming permaculture farm, and a self-designed X-phase where we got to organize our own 3-day trip to the southern marshes (and see rhinos!). I was lucky enough to stay friends with most of the group after the program ended, and I'll always think of them as close friends since we spent 90% of our time together for three months. Truly a life-defining experience that I'd recommend to anyone interested in adventures!

My semester in Nepal with Where There Be Dragons greatly exceeded my expectations. I met so many amazing people and made lifelong connections with those I traveled with. I feel like I had such a unique experience in Nepal that I wouldn't have gotten it if I hadn't done Dragons. From rural to urban homestays, language lessons, and learning how to bargain, I gained confidence in myself as a world traveler and became more willing to step outside of my comfort zone. Doing a Dragons program was probably one of the best decisions I could have made.