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.
plus airfare.
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.
Click on the gallery below to browse photos, videos and quotes from our participants and instructors.
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.
Independent Immersion Programs (IIPs) are open to:
College credit is available. Those who enroll in an optional course will be invoiced an additional fee on top of the land cost, for up to 16 college credits. To learn more about college credit, click here. Students who take courses for-credit will receive an official transcript from a School of Record after successful completion of the program. Click the Details dropdown below to view courses available for college credit:
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