Photo by Julianne Chandler, instructor.

Independent Spring Experiences

An Independent Gap Year Experience

Duration
42 Days
Description

Looking for a more independent next step in your Gap Year? For those who have completed a group travel program (+1 month with any provider), we offer more autonomous and self-directed international experiences.

Session A Dates

Feb 15 - Mar 27, 2024


Session A Availability

open

Session B Dates

Apr 15 - May 25, 2023


Session B Availability

open

Group Size (4:1 Ratio)

1-6 Students


Suggested Ages

18-25

Spring Begins In

37 Weeks

Fall Begins In

8 Weeks

Tuition

$6,750

plus airfare.

Tuition Details

Tuition is all inclusive aside from airfare and insurance fees.

Guatemala

Bolivia

Senegal

China

Nepal

Cambodia

Indonesia

Program Overview

Group travel is a great way to explore different cultures, build community with other travelers, and develop important life & travel skills. But after months spent in the close company of peers, you may be feeling the need to spread your wings...


…and yet, it can be hard to know where to start!

How can I break out of the backpacker tourist traps and questionable “voluntourism” industry? How do I build authentic connections with individuals and communities without the benefit of trusted contacts on the ground? Who do I call for support in times of need?

The Independent Spring Experience (ISE) provides opportunities for meaningful cross-cultural engagement outside the structure of a group semester, but still with the support of Dragons resources and mentorship. We work with individual students to co-create a personalized and self-directed experience. Utilizing our decades of expertise in cross-cultural education, international risk management and emergency response, and ethical community engagement, an ISE program is an empowering next step in your Gap Year progression.

Why choose a Dragons Independent Spring Experience (ISE)?

We have heard from past Gap Year students that their independent travels…

…and yet, it can be hard to know where to start!

How can I break out of the backpacker tourist traps and questionable “voluntourism” industry? How do I build authentic connections with individuals and communities without the benefit of trusted contacts on the ground? Who do I call for support in times of need?

The Independent Spring Experience (ISE) provides opportunities for meaningful cross-cultural engagement outside the structure of a group semester, but still with the support of Dragons resources and mentorship. We work with individual students to co-create a personalized and self-directed experience. Utilizing our decades of expertise in cross-cultural education, international risk management and emergency response, and ethical community engagement, an ISE program is an empowering next step in your Gap Year progression.

Why choose a Dragons Independent Spring Experience (ISE)?

We have heard from past Gap Year students that their independent travels have lacked adequate intention and guidance, which left them feeling lost or even conflicted about the ethics and efficacy of a volunteer placement or other aspects of their travels. We also heard a desire for more on-the-ground mentorship and support in order to thrive in a new setting. Based on feedback from students and partner organizations, we created ISE programs to meet the need for a more intentionally supported, independent cross-cultural experience in your Gap Year progression.

What does a ISE program consist of?

ISE programs are offered in places where Dragons has long-established and active community networks. We are currently offering ISE options in Guatemala, Bolivia, Senegal, Nepal, Cambodia, and Indonesia. Each program site is staffed by a Dragons On-Site Coordinator: a veteran Dragons instructor with expertise in the country and extensive experience working with Dragons Gap Year students and our standards of excellence. The On-Site Coordinator has weekly face-to-face meetings with each student, conducts a multi-day orientation focused on safety, cultural norms, and strategies for engagement, and acts as a cultural facilitator and mentor throughout. ISE programs have a strong emphasis on cultural and language immersion and in-depth exploration of critical issues. 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. ISE programs have multiple start dates with a 6-week minimum length and the option for weekly extensions.

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Program Costs

Program Fee: $6,750

Note: Optional weekly extensions at cost of $800 per week up to May 1st

Program Fee Includes:

  • Personalized mentorship and regular weekly check-ins with an On-Site Dragons staff member
  • 2-4 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 three hours of intensive language training, up to four days a week, from a professional language teacher. Most classes are in groups of 2-4 students
  • Matching with an Independent Study Project mentor. Participant will receive a weekly stipend towards one-on-one mentorships in music, art, dance, cooking, or other subjects of interest.
  • Part Time Volunteer Placement Options (vetted by Dragons)
  • Access to Dragons facilitated activities, guest speakers, excursions, local contacts, and community resources
  • *International airfare not included

Note: Program fees are based on current circumstances and are subject to change.

Personal Expenses:

Expenses that are not accounted for in program fees may include flight costs, personal travel, immunizations, books and supplies (e.g. for ISP), additional snacks, visa, ISOS evacuation insurance, personal medical insurance and costs, and other personal expenses. Included below are some estimated personal expenses. Some expenses are discretionary and vary based on individual student preferences.

Eligibility

ISE programs are open to:

  • Alumni of an extended-length (1+ month) group program, such as a Dragons course or a similar program from another program provider
  • 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
  • Ages 18-25 years old

Program Dates

A) February 15 – March 27 – Closed for 2023

B) April 15 – May 25

  • February and March start date options
  • Weekly extensions available at cost of $800 per week up to May 1st

Available Locations

  • Guatemala (Antigua or Quetzaltenango)
  • Bolivia (Cochabamba or Sucre)
  • Senegal (Dakar)
  • Nepal (Kathmandu Valley)
  • Cambodia (Siem Riep)
  • Indonesia (Yogyakarta)

For-Credit Course Option

In order to deepen your experience abroad, you may elect to enroll in college-level courses while participating on the ISE program. Those who enroll in an optional course will be invoiced an additional fee top of the land cost, for up to 16 college credits. To learn more, click here. Students who take courses for-credit will receive an official transcript from a School of Record after successful completion of the program.Through our Schools of Record, you may take the following courses for-college credit:

  • ANTH 103: Introduction to Anthropology
  • COMM 215: Introduction to Intercultural Communication
  • ESM 101: Environmental Sustainability
  • ESM 102: Global Perspectives
  • ESM 199: Climate Change and Its Impacts
  • GEOG 230: Environment and Society
  • HIST 199: Colonialization and Western Influences
  • INTL 199: Globalization Awareness and Community Development
  • INTL 299: Leadership Across Borders
  • MGMT 199: Social Entrepreneurship
  • MGMT 199: Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism in Practice
  • MGMT 299: Principles of Economics
  • PHE 299: Healthcare Systems and the Affected
  • PHL 299: Introduction to Spiritual/ Religious Studies & Their Roles in Culture
  • PSY 204: Psychology as Social Science
  • SOC 199: Self and Community – Culture, Cohort, and Self

See full Course Offering descriptions.