Student Profile
Students who participate on a Dragons Study Abroad Program come from all different backgrounds, universities/colleges, and areas of interest. Eligible participants should have completed at least one semester of post-secondary study, be 18 years or older, have a minimum GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale), and be interested in taking part in an experiential semester abroad. For more information please see our Frequently Asked Questions.
Costs
Students can take 12-16 credits during the semester abroad. The total program cost varies based on the number of credits students choose to enroll in during the term. The tuition and fees listed below are inclusive of land cost and tuition costs.
Tuition and Fees
| Land Cost |
Additional Tuition Cost |
Total Cost |
| $14,555 |
$3,600 (12 credits) |
$18,155 |
| $14,555 |
$4,800 (16 credits) |
$19,355 |
Tuition and Fees Include:
- 12-16 credits and a transcript from Dragons School of Record
- All program-organized travel and excursions
- Pre-departure preparation and in-country orientation
- All accommodations and most meals
- Supplementary lectures and special events
Note: Tuition and fees are made based on current circumstances in the host country but are subject to change.
Personal Expenses (Estimated)
Some expenses are discretionary and vary based on individual student preferences. Expenses that are not accounted for in tuition and fees may include flight costs (estimated at $1,095), personal local transportation, immunizations, academic and ISP supplies, some meals, visa, medical insurance and expenses, and other personal expenses.
Scholarships
Dragons is committed to making College Study Abroad programs financially accessible through the offering of scholarships. For more information on scholarships, please visit our Scholarships page.
Faculty
College Study Abroad Programs are staffed by both instructors and faculty. All share one similar quality: the desire to provide students with the most complete and exceptional educational experience possible.
Instructors are hired for their in-depth knowledge of a country’s customs and traditions. We strive to have a 4 to 1 student to instructor ratio. As a result, no other study abroad program approaches the level of personal attention and mentorship available on a Dragons program. Our instructors challenge students academically and physically, draw them into an unsurpassed community of curious peers, and carefully guide participants through experiences that enliven and inform academic pursuits.
College Study Abroad Programs are also staffed with faculty who teach for-credit college courses. These faculty are either Dragons instructors who are present throughout the term or a visiting faculty member who teaches intensive courses. Dragons faculty possess a rich blend of academic training, instructional experience, and field-based skills. Most of our faculty possess a PhD, or in some cases a MA combined with extensive experience – both practical and instructional. In addition to faculty, we also work with local experts such as experienced language teachers, Independent Study Project mentors, and local guest lecturers.
Academics
On this College Study Abroad program in South America, students have the opportunity to enroll in 12-16 semester credits. This program offers four college-level courses (4 credits each). In addition to work done in the classroom, Dragons College Study Abroad semesters are designed to provide students with the experiential opportunities to develop language competence, regional knowledge, intercultural leadership abilities, and research skills.
Dragons has partnered with Naropa University to offer four interdisciplinary courses for credit that extend from our Core Curriculum. The for-credit college courses we offer focus on building important skills, fostering a concern for global issues, expanding self-awareness and gaining an understanding of pertinent issues in each program area. Our approach is both experiential and conventional, using local resources, expert guest lecturers, excursions, pertinent readings, multi-media, and immersion to provide an intimate, well-rounded and powerful learning experience.
Course options include:
- Regional Seminar – Tradition, Change & Cultural Resilience (ANTH 250; 4 credits) –This course is designed to immerse students in the myriad cultures of the Andes and Amazon and their relationship to the land, both as manifest in their understanding of the natural world and agricultural practices. Through a combination of faculty and guest lecturers, students come to know issues related to racial and social conflicts, sustainable development, human rights, globalization and themes related to the impact of colonialism on indigenous cultures. This course moves briefly and broadly through a variety of important ancient civilizations, with a focus on their present-day impact. South America’s colonial history is also examined and the role the region played in the Spanish empire and then the liberation of the region from Spanish rule. Moving thematically, we look at the effect of colonialism on the constantly-changing indigenous cultures. Finally, we study present day Andean culture, analyzing the effects of a variety of political forces while looking at racial and social conflicts that Bolivia and Peru have experienced. A special focus is placed on resource extraction and modern themes of sustainable development, human rights, and globalization. This course is also considered the equivalent of ENV363 at Naropa University.
- Contemplative Intercultural Development and Leadership (ANTH 211; 4 credits)-Drawing from culturally diverse models of leadership and epistemology, this course examines topics such as intercultural communication skills, various leadership styles, and the roles and responsibilities of global citizenship.
- Independent Study Project (ISP) (ISP 325; 4 credits)–Each student conducts an in-depth study on a subject of their choice with the support of an academic advisor and local mentor. Students build key ethnographic research skills and practice working in cross-cultural partnerships. Typical ISP projects include: studying sustainable agricultural techniques, Andean folk weaving, or learning to play the charango.
- Spanish Language Study Level I, II & III Language Study (SPAN 150/250/350; 4 credits)
- SPAN 150 Spanish I -Language proficiency is an essential aspect of the program, and regular language classes focus on foundational vocabulary and key phrases pertinent to the student’s experience. Classes increasingly focus on improving grammar and pronunciation, as well as learning to read and write in Spanish. Additionally, students are assigned customized language projects that give them the opportunity to practice their language skills and develop oral proficiency. Experiential activities such as field trips and guided interaction with native speakers supplement formal classroom instruction.
- SPAN 250 Spanish II – This course is designed to focus on conversational Spanish and grammatical structure. Complex grammatical structures such as the imperfect, subjunctive, and perfect tenses will be introduced. Additionally, students are assigned customized language projects that give them the opportunity to practice their language skills and develop the oral proficiency. As with other Spanish courses, experiential activities supplement formal classroom instruction.
- SPAN 350 Spanish III – Designed to focus on articulate written and formal conversational Spanish, as well as a review of advanced grammatical structure. The course is principally focused on conversational Spanish and important aspects of history and literature. Additionally, students will be assigned customized language projects to further develop oral proficiency necessary to converse with native speakers. As with other Spanish courses, experiential activities supplement formal classroom instruction.
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