Bolivia Program with Optional College Credit (4-Week Sample Itinerary)
The following is a sample itinerary based on past courses; actual itineraries may vary.
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Week 1
Orientation for the program will be held in the Yungas Region of Bolivia. The Yungas is the tropical region of La Paz, home to the Afro-Bolivian population and the main source of both coca and coffee for the country. This first three days will be dedicated to giving students all the information they need to stay safe and healthy while making the most of their learning experience in Bolivia. Students will have a chance to form as a group and learning community while enjoying some of Bolivia’s most beautiful and diverse environments. Spanish lessons will begin right away during orientation so that students can make the most of their experience. After orientation the group will move from the tropics to the high shores of Lake Titicaca. Here we will stay in an small Aymara community on the shores of the lake. The group will have the opportunity to be part of traditional Aymara ceremonies, learn about agriculture, weaving and many other cultural practices. Students will live with Aymara families and learn about life in the Bolivian countryside. -
Weeks 2-3
The group will transition from the La Paz region to Cochabamba, our base for this program. Cochabamba is located in a stunning valley and is renowned in Bolivia for wonderful weather and food. The group will settle into homestays in the semi-rural town of Tiquipaya on the outskirts of the city. During the group’s time in Tiquipaya students will have the opportunity to study Spanish intensively while also learning about many of the important historical and cultural aspects of the city. -
As an organization, Dragons has deep roots in Cochabamba and so there are a wide variety of learning opportunities. Apart from language, students may learn about the famous water wars, urban graffiti, organic farming and much more. During this time students can also expect a short weekend excursion to explore the mountains and surrounding areas of the region.
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Week 4
In the final week of our program we say goodbye to homestays and transition from Cochabamba to the department of Chuquisaca. This state of Bolivia is home to the colonial capital city of Sucre. Students have the opportunity to help shape the program and decide from a number of outdoor and cultural activities available in the region. From here we enter our final phase. In a beautiful mountain retreat outside Sucre we spend the final days of the program reflecting on our learning and the significance of the experience before returning to La Paz for the flight home.
