Develop Your Vision

Dragons partnerships

FOR SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES SEEKING TO DEEPEN GLOBAL PROGRAMMING

WHAT WE DO

At Dragons, we believe that intentionally crafted global experiential education can inspire social change, foster connection, and lead to a better humanity. We also know the many challenges involved in building authentic, safe, and ethical programming. Dragons Partnerships helps schools and universities clarify their vision, navigate varying stakeholder expectations, and execute successful international student travel programs.

WHY PARTNER WITH DRAGONS?

A partnership with Dragons builds capacity, not dependency. We invest in your long-term success by facilitating a process of professional growth and institutional culture change. Together, we customize a package of consulting, training, and student programming, that improves risk management, program quality, faculty leadership skills, and community engagement practices.

Our Approach

HOW A PARTNERSHIP WORKS

Every school and university has different needs. Together, we chart a pathway to success and define the scope and sequence of a customized partnership to meet your needs.

Phase I: Align Vision & Goals

We dig in to what’s most important for you, your school, and your vision for successful global programming.

Phase II: Determine Scope & Sequence

We customize a combination of partnership services—consulting, training, and student programming—that supports the evolution of your global programs over time.

Phase III: Implementation

We execute the plan, offering space for ongoing reflection, feedback, and adjustments to ensure a successful outcome.

The Partnership Process

WHAT’S IN A PARTNERSHIP?

Successful international student programming is complicated. Partnerships provide immediate access to nearly thirty years experience through dynamic and effective professional development, refined risk management systems, and engagement in authentic global programming. Through Partnerships, we provide the keys and the vehicle for excellent global programming—hundreds of field instructors, a robust and experienced administrative team, and a tight network of relationships and resources in the countries we operate.

PARTNERSHIP SERVICES

Dynamic programming for students, consulting for administrators, and professional development for faculty that fosters an integrated and aligned approach to global education.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

A team of veteran administrators provide ongoing consulting, coaching, and collaboration in all aspects of program design and execution, student management, regional expertise, and risk management.

ACCESS & ENGAGEMENT

Careful mentorship by professional and highly trained instructors. Access to precious relationships with inspiring individuals and welcoming communities around the world.

TESTIMONIALS

Each partnership is unique, offering a customized combination of resources and services to meet your needs. Through careful communication and relationship-building, we bring access to an enormous wealth of knowledge and expertise in experiential global education and institutional leadership.

Dragons demonstrates, at every level, a profound commitment to creating the very best student experience abroad. The caliber of their on-site staff, their tireless attention to risk management, and their truly innovative approach to experiential learning make them a valued program partner.

JOHN LURIA

Director of Bridge Year Program, Princeton University

Through a comprehensive vetting process, Dragons was selected as one of three partner organizations to work with Princeton University in customizing and launching an inaugural Bridge Year Program in 2010. By 2015, Dragons was chosen as Princeton’s exclusive partner of Bridge Year programming and currently manages five nine-month Bridge Year programs in India, China, Senegal, Bolivia and Indonesia.

Dragons instructors and facilitators provide a complementary role by bringing experiential pedagogy to help students reflect and process their experiences. They also bring solid training in risk management and a depth of experience in the places they work. From what I’ve seen, Dragons instructors have a balanced skill-set, a knack for connecting with students, and working well in dynamic leadership teams.

HELENA KAUFMAN, DIRECTOR: OFF-CAMPUS STUDIES

Carleton College, Northfield MN

Where There Be Dragons has worked with Carleton College since 2006 on program development and execution as well as faculty workshops on transformative education. In Carleton’s “Mundo Maya” program, Dragons supported on the ground by working alongside lead faculty to engage students directly in container building, reflection and processing, and a deeper engagement with place and self. In India, we collaborated to develop homestays, guest speakers, student internships and general program infrastructure for a course focused on the impacts of tourism and local identities.

The expansive nature of their curriculum and the veteran experience of their instructors have helped us provide breakthrough learning for students that will stick with them for the rest of their lives. I’m committed to Dragons as a go-to partner for providing the highest quality and safest programming abroad.

CRIS HARRIS

Director – Writing Center, Outdoors Leadership Program, Hawken School

Partnership Overview: Since 2011, Dragons has worked with Hawken School to develop programming in Sikkim, Yunnan Province, and Myanmar. In the early years, we focused on consulting with the administrative leadership team as they developed a shared-mental model for successful global programming across divisions. To help foster a unified practice and vision for global program at Hawken, we worked with lead teachers to create a 3-day intensive skills training at an off-the-grid retreat space near campus. As such, the partnership has had profound impacts on faculty and students well beyond the scope of Dragons led student programming.

Dragons reputation is well deserved. Their efforts have been vital to the success of our global travel programs, and through their expertise, professionalism, and good will they have helped us immeasurably to customize and execute travel experiences that integrate and advance our school’s vision and values. Dragons is a great partner — visionary, professional, generous, and in this work for the right reasons.

PETER BROWN

Director of Global Education, Menlo School, Atherton, CA

Partnership Overview: Dragons has worked with the Menlo School since 2014 to deepen and enhance their global programming by offering longer, more challenging and growth oriented experiences for students abroad. Dragons supports Menlo Abroad’s continuing evolution by providing ongoing consulting and support for risk management and outward messaging, on-campus tone-setting and pre-course preparation, annual teacher training workshops, site visits and scouting, as well as collaborative program development in Guatemala and China. Our work with Melo represents a “true partnership” in that we frequently connect to innovate, alter course, and add value to the vast work involved with the expansion and growth of their program.

Get Connected…Stay Connected

Yak Board

Updates from the Field

Life in San Juan
- 2021 Fall Gap
- Guatemala: Spanish Language & Social Justice
- Student Programs
- Yak of the Week
10.15.21
A series of reflections in the 2nd person.
- 2021 Fall Gap
- South America: Andes & Amazon - Group A
- Student Programs
- Yak of the Week
10.13.21
Debrief of Xela
- 2021 Fall Gap
- Guatemala: Spanish Language & Social Justice
- Student Programs
- Yak of the Week
10.08.21

Go To Yak Board

Instagram

@wheretherebedragons

✨Overheard on The Yak Board✨⁠ ⁠ "Reflectin

There's still space on our South America Semester:

What does it mean to travel differently?⁠ ⁠ We

Dreamy sunsets in the Southwest 🥰 Are you more

✨Overheard on The Yak Board✨ “As we expand

We want your opinion! Which sticker do you like

Instagram

Blog

Community News

Announcing our 2021/2022 Public Global Speaker Series Talks

We’re celebrating our 10th year of the Global Speaker Series! Each year our best teachers—with years of international education experience—speak in classrooms across the United States to share their perspectives and insights with students ready to engage with critical and compelling global questions. While we used to do this for... <a href="https://www.wheretherebedragons.com/news/announcing-the-global-speaker-series-for-2021-2022" style="color:#61818F;text-decoration:none">Read more »</a>
09.23.21
How to Become a Better Ally, at Home and Abroad

At Where There Be Dragons, we’re always striving to improve diversity and inclusion within our student body and travel programs. That’s why our Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee created two resources for becoming a better ally as well as a guide to traveling as you. <a href="https://www.wheretherebedragons.com/news/how-to-become-a-better-ally-at-home-and-abroad" style="color:#61818F;text-decoration:none">Read more »</a>
09.17.21
Local Heroes Series: Valentina Campos, Bolivia

Valentina Campos, who has served as our Homestay Coordinator in Tiquipaya since 2011, is moving on from her role with Dragons to pursue artistic and cultural projects in La Paz. She has been an essential part of our programming in Bolivia, and her presence in Tiquipaya will be dearly missed. Undoubtedly, she will stay connected to Dragons in the... <a href="https://www.wheretherebedragons.com/news/local-heroes-series-valentina-campos-bolivia" style="color:#61818F;text-decoration:none">Read more »</a>
08.20.21