Program Reviews

This program provided an amazing mix of trekking, homestays, and time to explore. We traveled with a group of 12, as well 3 instructors, providing an excellent ratio and an amazing group dynamic. We traveled throughout Peru and Bolivia, interacting with many local communities and people, creating an experience that felt unique and distinctly not touristy. Additionally the treks we did allowed us to see much of the beautiful nature these countries contain. Overall my experience was invaluable to learning more about myself, making amazing friends, and improving my language anf traveling skills.

Not only with my dragons trip was I able to learn so much about different communities and cultures, but also about myself. I loved my dragons program and I without a doubt would recommend it to others. My favorite portion of the trip was the second home stay in Langa. Here, I lived with a family which had three young men who loved to do outdoor activities, so we ended up going on early morning runs everyday. Indonesia as a whole was a really incredible experience and the places I stayed were very different from my home.

Entering this program, I expected to emerge as a more competent Spanish speaker with a wider knowledge of Guatemala’s history, politics, culture, food, and current situation. I learned a lifetime worth of knowledge about these topics, but the way I grew as a human being surprised me. I feel inspired to listen to my gut, I feel intentional with my actions, I feel innovative and excited to continue with my passions. A new world has been opened up to me in a beautiful way, leading me on my next adventures with a greater certainty and with many more questions I can’t wait to find the answers to.

This was an incredible experience. Nepal had a completely foreign culture to me, and through this course, I felt not only growth in terms of cultural exchange but also in personal development. I learned to be more self reliant and more appreciative of the people and places around me.
I also felt safe at all times, and made some lifelong connections both with fellow students and with Nepali people.
This experience left me with a desire to continue exploring and living more fully.
I also felt that my language retention skills increased because of learning Nepalese which was an unexpected outcome.

Living with families in Bolivia was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. Their culture is far separated from the US, and though the families had no reason to show us acceptance and love, they welcomed us as their children. Our time in the Amazon jungle also felt like a step into a National Geographic magazine. Except everything was real, the trees, the animals, the houses, and the people. Down to earth and fiercely family oriented, I loved all of the guides and the people of the town.

Best three months! Awesome kids and instructors. Crazy experiences, fun adventures, and so much perspective. Couldn’t recommend this trip more! I had so much fun getting to know a new culture a community. I learned so much, and Nepal is unique in that you learn about religion just by being there because it is so ingrained in Nepali culture. I made the best memories and saw the most beautiful things, especially on our trek of Mt. Manaslu! Once again, couldn’t recommend more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Indonesia Semester of Culture and Conservation offered by Where There Be Dragons was truly transformative. It not only allowed me to deeply immerse myself in the rich and diverse Indonesian identity but also fostered an appreciation for the various ways of living and community connections practiced in daily life. Through exploring three distinct homestays in contrasting settings, I gained insights into the history, sociology, and ethics that shape Indonesia today. Witnessing the profound connection to the land within different Indonesian cultures highlighted the importance of standing up for climate justice.

As a non-binary individual, navigating certain aspects was occasionally challenging, but the instructors' consistent check-ins provided valuable support, helping me navigate my experiences effectively. This program served as a steep learning curve, pushing me to question my beliefs surrounding food systems, community challenges, and biases acquired from my identities and upbringing. Overall, it was an eye-opening journey that broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of Indonesia's cultural richness and environmental concerns.

The dragons Peru program is truly inspiring. It provided me with a multi faceted experience in understanding and enjoying the astounding nature and intellectual depth of Peru. We first had an introduction period for everyone to get to know each other in a family resort near Urubamba. We had sessions on gender equality and ice breaking games, which effectively fostered a sense of unity in the group. As the only Chinese in the group, I felt included and cared by others. This create a huge contrast to my worries of being neglected by the group due to cultural differences. I actually felt being a part of the family with the dragons. After the intro session, we went on a three days trek and ended up in an hot spring resort. Though the journey was challenging physically and mentally, but it was worth it! The nature of Peru was unbelievable. From the plantations to the crystal clear river streams, it is the heaven for travelers and photographers. With a little break in a hostel in the town, we were sent to our homestay families. The experience was unforgettable. The family that I stayed with is the Gustavo family. We have formed strong relationships and had a great time together. During the home-stays, we as a group also had the opportunity to explore the town and explore the language of Spanish. Since, you guys won’t bother to read a whole long essay, I will summarize the story later in short. We explore the rich history of the Spanish style Cusco, stood at the peak of the Machu Picchu, and learned about the current political and economic climate in Lima. The this is a once a life time experience. Therefore, I must advocate for this program and everyone should go!

This program was easily the most incredible experience I’ve had abroad. Dragons allows its students to intensely immerse themselves in their host country through home stays, independent studies, language learning, outdoor adventures, and so much more. Dragons also employs incredibly inspiring instructors who strike the perfect balance between acting as a support system, and pushing students out of their comfort zones. I made deep connections on this program, both with my fellow travellers and with people we met along the way. After Dragons, I feel I can create deep, immersive travel experiences for myself anywhere in the world.

I love the way Dragons travels. The instructors taught us about travel awareness. Most importantly, that we are not here to change or help the people we are meeting but to learn and observe their culture and lifestyle. This perspective guided me through the course. It helped me be more open to new experiences. And these experiences have continued to have a lasting impact on my life. For instance, during a homestay in Rural Nepal I sat on the floor of my host families hut watching my host mother make dinner. I could only communicate my needs so I sat in silence watching my mother cook from a fire in the ground. It's hard to explain how these experiences directly impacted me. Simply put, a feeling from those moments still last inside me and continue to shape the way I look at the world.
Each day, an experience from Nepal guides me throughout my life.