Program Reviews

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.

I had the most amazing experience with Dragons Nepal. The homestay experiences were incredible. The families were great, locations made for a rich experience, and amazing memories. I thoroughly enjoyed the treks. They were a good challenge, but I felt very supported the whole time. I felt very emerged in the culture, and I felt my instructors did a great job at guiding us through the country. I thought the orientation process was a good introduction to the culture, I felt prepared to go into cities and interact with locals. Nothing but good things to say about the program.

Indescribable experience. I participated in WTBD two years ago and still think about my times there and the lessons learned frequently. WTBD changed me for the better and I am so grateful. I am still very close to the members of the group and feel connected to the place and the people. This program was well-designed and very thoughtful about ethical travel and meaningful connections. Language was a huge emphasis that I found profound and exciting. I learned and appreciated all there was to offer. Go on a WTBD course.

My semester in Nepal with Where There Be Dragons was probably the best 2.5 months of my life. I made an incredible group of friends learned so much while abroad. We traveled to so many interesting and different places within Nepal and met so many interesting and kind people. It was definitely challenging at points, but my instructors and group mates were so supportive and wonderful. I feel so much more comfortable with the idea of solo traveling and existing as a global citizen. I am so glad that I took the leap and decided to take a gap semester with Dragons.

The program’s structure encouraged us to embrace challenges, both physically as we trekked through the Andes and culturally as we engaged with local communities. Staying with homestay families felt like a warm reunion with the people and lifestyle. I was able to put my Spanish skills to good use, communicating and learning from our hosts in a way that felt authentic and natural. It was heartwarming to share meals and stories, gaining a richer understanding of Peruvian life and traditions.

The program instructors brought out the best in us by encouraging respect, open-mindedness, and curiosity. They guided us through conversations about Peru’s environmental challenges and taught us to approach each experience with mindfulness and a sense of purpose. We discussed sustainable practices, participated in community projects, and learned what it means to be responsible travelers.

For anyone looking for a life-changing adventure, Peru: Sacred Mountains is a truly transformative experience.

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.

I really like that I thought I really engaged other people who went with me. I really liked my leaders and I definitely feel like I learned more about China the language and just life in China. I also got some of my questions answered and I got to experience with a lot of what I was looking forward to. I felt like some of the accommodations were a little bit below average, but I’m not upset about them at all. I thought I really learned how some people are trying to live and I got to see another side of China that a lot of Americans don’t know about. I also got to experience a lot of cuisine in China that Americans don’t really eat and they got to experience real authentic Chinese food.

I joined Dragons on a trip to Indonesia the summer after my junior year of high school and it was a life-changing experience. My brother did a semester with dragons so I had an idea of what I was getting into but I was still blown away by how comprehensive the dragons experience is. I learned more about myself than I ever thought I could have. Dragon’s does an amazing job of immersing their students and part of this is attributed to the no-phone policy. I would 100% make another trip and if you are considering doing a program DO IT.