Photo by Julianne Chandler, instructor.

Independent Immersion Programs

6+ Week Independent Experiences

Duration
41 Days
Description

Perfect for independent-minded travelers seeking non-group based cultural immersion with the benefit of trusted mentorship and support. Live with a homestay family, sink into daily language classes, and engage in customized learning opportunities. An IIP can be an extension to your Gap Year or a standalone travel experience.

dates
Feb 15 - Mar 27, 2025
dates
Apr 15 - May 25, 2024
Group Size (4:1 Ratio)

1-6 Students
per Site

Tuition

$6,950

Plus airfare & insurance

  • Open
  • Open
Suggested Ages

18-25

Tuition Details

Beyond your budget? Learn how we increase access.

Guatemala

Bolivia

Senegal

China

Nepal

Cambodia

Indonesia

Program Overview

Immerse yourself in a different language, family, and community.


It might feel hard to know where to start when traveling on your own, especially without access to a network of local connections and resources. Dragons Independent Immersion Programs (IIPs) offer independent-minded travelers a 6+ week deep dive into a single community through homestays, personalized language instruction, and customized learning opportunities. An IIP can be an extension to your Gap Year or a standalone travel experience.

With decades of expertise in cross-cultural education and risk management, we work with students to customize their experience and break away from “tourist traps” and the questionable voluntourism industry. Build authentic connections through Dragons long-established and active networks, and explore your interests while designing your spring semester in Guatemala, Bolivia, Senegal, Nepal, Cambodia, or Indonesia.

Each program site…

It might feel hard to know where to start when traveling on your own, especially without access to a network of local connections and resources. Dragons Independent Immersion Programs (IIPs) offer independent-minded travelers a 6+ week deep dive into a single community through homestays, personalized language instruction, and customized learning opportunities. An IIP can be an extension to your Gap Year or a standalone travel experience.

With decades of expertise in cross-cultural education and risk management, we work with students to customize their experience and break away from “tourist traps” and the questionable voluntourism industry. Build authentic connections through Dragons long-established and active networks, and explore your interests while designing your spring semester in Guatemala, Bolivia, Senegal, Nepal, Cambodia, or Indonesia.

Each program site is staffed by a veteran Dragons On-Site Coordinator with expertise in the country and extensive experience working with Dragons students and our standards of excellence. The On-Site Coordinator has weekly face-to-face meetings with each student, acts as a cultural facilitator and mentor throughout your stay, and conducts a multi-day orientation focused on safety, cultural norms, and strategies for engagement.

A Day in the Life – 3 Examples:
  • Nepal – Join your Dragons On-Site Coordinator for morning yoga, chai, and an orientation to the ancient city of Patan, where you’ll be spending the next 6+ weeks. Learn essential cultural dos and don’ts as well as integral safety information. Over a delicious lunch of momos (Nepali dumplings), brainstorm ideas for what you’d like to learn—anything from Ayurvedic medicine to Nepali astrology to traditional ceramic-making. Take in a sunset hike to a local temple, and enjoy live music on the terrace once you get there, reflecting on your introduction to Nepal and getting excited for your customized semester.
  • Guatemala – Wake up overlooking Lago Atitlán to the smell of your morning cafecito with your homestay family. Walk to a nearby permaculture farm to learn traditional Mayan sustainable farming techniques. After lunch at the farm, head to the local market with your Spanish language instructor, soaking up the language through personalized guidance and conversation. Later on, enjoy a dinner of fresh corn tortillas and frijoles with your homestay family. Sharing what you experienced that day and practicing your new Spanish skills.
  • Indonesia – In the cultural center of Yogyakarta, wake up to the call to prayer while your host family readies sweet jasmine tea for the day. This vibrant city known for its concentration of arts and culture is home to a diversity of faiths, museums, and opportunities to explore. Take a tuk tuk to meet your apprenticeship mentor where you are learning the art of batik (wax & dye painting) to create an intricate work of your own. Spend lunch with friends drinking coffee and chatting about the booming street art scene in Indonesia. In the afternoon, head to your homestay to pack your bags for an excursion to Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist Temple, with your homestay sister. Help your homestay family prepare dinner and get excited for tomorrow’s adventure.
Read More Read Less

Frequently Asked Questions

Will there be other students in my area and how do we interact?
It’s possible! This is not intended to be a group experience, but there will likely be other students in the same placement location as you. We coordinate start dates in order to have a small group orientation and give you a network of peers to reach out to during your time abroad.

What’s the homestay like?
Homestay placements are one student per family. Students can expect to have their own room, yet share meals and integrate themselves as a part of the family.

What are some examples of apprenticeship opportunities?
Ceramics, traditional healing practices, dance, music, silversmithing, textiles, cooking, baking, agriculture, farming, astrology, martial arts, sports, woodcarving, and more! These learning opportunities depend on the country and your interests.

How much language do I need and what’s the language instruction like?
No prior knowledge of the local language is required. We will pair you with a language instructor and support you in learning conversational and writing/reading skills to better communicate during your stay.

Will I be able to travel around the country and explore other regions on my own?
While some nearby overnight excursions may be possible during your stay, this is not a travel program. We prioritize the depth of cultural immersion, language study, and independent learning projects rather than traveling around the country. We strongly encourage students to stay-on after their time with Dragons to travel more broadly, but we cannot support that experience within the boundaries of this program.

What are the main benefits to doing this type of experience opposed to traveling on my own?
When traveling to a new area, it can be hard to break away from the tourist sites and truly immerse yourself in a culture. As an alternative, Independent Immersion Programs (IIPs) are offered in places where Dragons has long-established and active community networks. Participants are placed with a trusted homestay family for the duration of the program, receive intensive language instruction (if desired), and are paired with local mentors for an Independent Study Project (ISP). In addition, participants have 24/7 access to our in-country and international emergency response resources.


ELIGIBILITY

Independent Immersion Programs (IIPs) are open to:

  • Applicants who demonstrate the desire, maturity, and capacity for more self-directed and autonomous international travel
  • Applicants interested in co-creating an immersive, respectful, and engaged cultural experience
  • Applicants with prior travel experience, preferably on an organized program (Dragons or other)
  • Ages 18-25 years old, students on their Gap Year, post college, or in-between jobs

PROGRAM COSTS

  • Program Fee: $6,950
    Note: Optional weekly extensions at a cost of $900 per week
  • Program Fee Includes:
    • Personalized mentorship and regular weekly check-ins with an On-Site Dragons staff member
    • 2-3 day in-country orientation focused on safety, cultural norms, tools for engagement, cross-cultural communication, and individualized goal setting
    • Access to 24/7 on-call Dragons risk management team and emergency response resources
    • All-inclusive room and board in a Dragons vetted homestay
    • Depending upon a participant’s starting language abilities, they may receive up to 15 hours/week of instruction from a professional language teacher. Most classes are in groups of 2-4 students
    • Matching with a local mentor(s). Participants receive a weekly stipend towards one-on-one mentorships in music, art, dance, cooking, agriculture, or other subjects of interest similar to our Independent Study Project program component.
    • Part Time Volunteer Placement Options (vetted by Dragons). Depending on what your interests are and what is available locally, you may have the opportunity to contribute to a local project or organization, however, this is not an internship program.
    • Access to Dragons facilitated activities, guest speakers, excursions, local contacts, and community resources
    • *International airfare not included
  • Personal Expenses: Expenses that are NOT accounted for in program fees may include flight costs, personal travel during the program, immunizations, additional snacks, visa, ISOS insurance, personal medical insurance and costs, and gifts.

PROGRAM DATES

  • A) February 15 – March 27
  • B) April 15 – May 25
  • Start dates can be in February, March or April

AVAILABLE LOCATIONS

  • Guatemala
  • Bolivia
  • Senegal
  • Nepal
  • Cambodia
  • Indonesia