Program Reviews

My experience with Dragons six years ago now continues to change and challenge the way I think even to this day. I consider myself a global citizen and a group member and I believe that my experience with Dragons oriented me to think culturally at a young age. I took calculated risks and made amazing friends, both in my group and in the field. I really stand behind the Dragons organization and I’ll blab about it to anyone that will listen. I’m so proud to be an alumna of an organization that functions with intent, care, and grit. My time in Peru really challenged my westernized way of thinking and my default exotification of other cultures. I tried many new things and had experiences much more unique than visiting touristy sites. I even went back to visit my homestay family earlier this spring.

There are no words in the English dictionary that can describe this odyssey. It was the most amazing experience in my entire life. I tried new foods I never thought I would love, learned things I was never particularly intrigued by, met people I never thought would leave such an impression, discovered things about myself I never knew, and was led by four incredible instructors who guided me on my journey. I never thought that one trip to Cambodia could drastically impact my life for the better.

The trip helped me grow as a person and learn while being culturally immersed. Truly unique and worth it! Despite going on a trip during a period of political instability, the staff and program leaders ensured the safety of the students while prioritizing having fun and thoroughly learning. There were daily lessons and the instructors really helped bridge the language gap we experienced and allowed us to have a level of independence in our learning while being safe and mindful. At the end, the company also provides great support beyond the trip.

This was my second Dragons trip, and I had high expectations after a fantastic summer in Nepal the year before, but Ladakh did not disappoint.

The trip was fast-paced which had us moving around a lot. All the moving meant lots of bus rides, but spending time in the bus allowed for a unique view of the beautiful ladakhi landscape and countless views of the powerful Himalays.

We spent time in Leh, the capital of Ladakh, exploring the markets and the Leh Palace. We completed two different treks, one that reached 17,000 feet at the top of our pass! We also did a rural homestay, often a highlight of Dragons trips. Getting to build connections with the local people, often with a heavy language barrier, is one of the most fulfilling and challenging parts of a course.

Another core piece was visiting different monasteries and learning about Tibetan Buddhism. Our instructors helped us understand Buddhist philosophy and practice as we got these new experiences, and it was really interesting to get a ley perspective on Buddhism.

Dragons fosters a very open, caring community, which has allowed me to grow spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually over these last two summers. I am forever grateful for the wonderful relationship with instructors and other students I have built. I have developed a true love for Himalayan culture, and there is no doubt that this course has changed the trajectory of my life.

I came to Nepal expecting nothing and got everything I never could have imagined and more. I have been home for a little over a month now and I can say with certainty that the lessons and experiences I have had will stay with me for the rest of my life. Coming home I have realized how much my world view has been broadened and how positively my morals have been re-evaluated. Although the program is “rugged” at times, there was never a second that I felt unsafe or uncomfortable in my situation. I strongly recommend this program to anyone who wants to experience the rich cultures of the world and learn so much about yourself in the process.

I had a wonderful time doing the Dragons South America Semester. My favorite aspect of the program was that out activities were varied over the course of the semester. We went backpacking, took Spanish lessons, had rural and urban homestays, learned about local social movements, and ate delicious food. It is very structured, so for those seeking more independence, this is not the program for you. However, thanks to that structure, instructors can give us access and introduce us to people and experiences we otherwise never could have learned about. Thanks to these resources, I learned much more about Bolivian and Peruvian culture, politics and life than I even could have as a solo traveler.

I feel so lucky to have traveled with wtbd. The trip was so packed with adventures that it takes a few months post completion to realize what you accomplished. The program was beautiful, challenging and an opportunity to become a better person. I made new friends, tried new food, and visitied places i would never have discovered without the program. I miss the andes so much, the scale of the mountains and the culture and history that lives inside of it is out of this world. I miss hiking up the side of a mountain and taking a boat ride down the river beni into the amazon basin. If you are fortunate enough to find yourself signed up for this program, get excited and take every opportunity that comes your way when in south america. Dont hold back and be yourself.

I've done a few summer and semester programs like Dragons with various other companies, and Dragons really blew me away. I felt guided and supported towards learning the culture, language, leadership, interpersonal skills, etc., and pushed out of my comfort zone to figure a lot of it out on my own, which I really loved. I got to bushwhack in the rainforest, swim in a glacial lagoon in the Andes mountains, sleep in ancient Incan ruins, dance with my host family in a huge parade, and so much more that I never would've dreamed of. By the time I left, I was forgetting words in English.

I had a wonderful time on the trip. At first I was really nervous, I spoke Spanish terribly and I knew very little about Guatemala. Those fears were quickly dismissed. Everyone in the group was nice and everyone had something offer. The staff were very nice and they did a good job of keeping the group together, not letting it form into individual cliques. Our counselors were Jochen, Paula, and Kelly. They worked together to keep us safe and they worked non-stop to making plans for the group. I know this all sounds like insincere hyperbole but it’s true! But that’s not to say there weren’t hiccups. During our 4 day trek we had to send two kids — one by one — by ground transportation to the destination, leaving us with only Kelly for a day. Three of us got sick because they forgot to filter their water. But despite these challenges, we all had a great time. Not to mention that I came back way better at speaking Spanish than when I left. We all grew a whole lot in that summer month. And we all still keep in contact.

I loved my trip with Where There be Dragons to Thailand. I was fully immersed into Thai culture. I learned about their language, customs, and traditions. We even participated in a week long homestay in a rural village. My host mom was amazing and I was so sad to say goodbye. After our homestay we city hopped and visited some super cool monasteries, night markets, and museums. Parts of the trip are definitely challenging and way out of your comfort zone. As long as you keep an open mind to change you will have an awesome time!