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One of the coolest and most meaningful life experiences I’ve had thus far.

Maggie A.Past Student

Japan Semester

Arts, Food, & Culture

A 5-Week Gap Year Program

Description

Explore Japan’s unique art, culture, and food through workshops, cultural activities, and language lessons. For students drawn to the region and interested in topics such as Japanese cuisine, contemporary and traditional art forms, and an overall immersive experience in Japan.

fall
Sep 15 - Oct 19, 2025
  • Accepting Waitlist
spring
Feb 11 - Apr 1, 2026
  • Open
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Just let yourself go through it all. Sometimes you might not feel like you’ve grown or had changed perspectives, but it will all come together at the end.

Anna H.Indonesia Semester

Indonesia Semester

Conservation & Culture in the World’s Largest Archipelago

A 3-Month Gap Year Program

Description

Join one of our most adventurous and diverse programs in Asia. Experience living with a nomadic sea-faring community, explore traditional Javanese arts and crafts and gain insight into complex climate change issues in the world’s most diverse archipelago. For students interested in grassroots environmental initiatives, meaningful community engagement, and exploring Indonesia’s diverse cultural traditions.

fall
Sep 15 - Dec 3, 2025
  • 1 Space
spring
Feb 11 - May 1, 2026
  • 7 Spaces
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“The Mekong course offered life-changing opportunities to live with and learn from people whose experiences and culture differ immensely from my own. I formed deep and meaningful relationships with those around me and challenged my preconceived notions of a beautiful region through intellectual, cultural and personal exploration that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

Myles H.Southeast Asia Semester

Southeast Asia & China Semester

A Regional Travel Intensive By Land & Water

A 3-Month Gap Year Program

Description

Gain essential travel skills, cross-cultural competencies, and broad exposure to pressing contemporary topics while traveling across Southeast Asia and southern China. For students interested in a comprehensive travel experience that strengthens leadership skills, travel savvy, and understanding of the region.

fall
Sep 15 - Dec 3, 2025
  • Closed
spring
Feb 11 - May 1, 2026
  • Open
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What is so unique about Dragons is that they foster the opportunities and space for experiences like nomadic/rural homestays that would be really rare, hard, or even impossible to do by ourselves independently.

Amanda T.China Semester

China Semester

Mandarin Language Intensive

A 3-Month Gap Year Program

Description

Improve your Mandarin through intensive daily practice, immerse yourself in a diversity of Chinese cultural traditions and communities, and gain valuable insights into contemporary China. For students interested in Mandarin language study, cultural immersion, and a broad exposure to daily life in China.

fall
Sep 15 - Dec 3, 2025
  • Closed
spring
Feb 11 - May 1, 2026
  • Open
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“I learned so much from the different people that we met and the people on the course. I learned a lot just from being in a place that’s so different from anywhere else I’ve been. And each activity or lesson we had taught me something new.”

Maeve CosgroveIndia Semester

India Semester

Environmental & Climate Change Intensive

A 6-Week Gap Year Program

Description

Trek in the Himalayas, witness the immediate impacts of climate change from the mountains to the delta, and access the vast diversity of India’s people, cultures, and landscapes. For students interested in engaging with environmental issues, experiencing the incredible diversity of India, and moving through breathtaking Himalayan landscapes.

fall
Sep 15 - Oct 26, 2025
  • Closed
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