A student group takes in the sunrise as they prepare to hike out of a rural homestay community in Nepal. Photo by Arvin Singh Uzunov-Dang, instructor.
Travel with meaning and intention. Genuinely experience a different way of life while exploring your interests and developing valuable skills for your future. Learn more about our programs throughout Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the United States.
Our approach is simple: build meaningful and long-lasting relationships with local communities, work with the best instructors, and stay true to our responsible travel ethics.
Dragons students are travelers, not tourists. Course itineraries are built around nine Program Components which engage students in a wide range of hands-on activities such as homestays, trekking, apprenticeships, and language learning.
A typical group consists of 12 students and 3 instructors to ensure each student receives individual support and mentorship. On average our instructors are 30+ years of age, have 4+ years living abroad, and are fluent in the local language.
We run a limited number of programs because we value quality over quantity. And we never run the same trip twice; each program itinerary is intentional and directly infused with the regional expertise and passions of instructors.
Safety is our first priority. Over 30+ years we’ve built robust risk management systems and have been vetted by key partners including Princeton University, Tufts University, the Gap Year Association, and the US Secret Service.
Dragons programs are environmentally conscious and committed to building meaningful connections. We run longer programs that maximize time abroad and empower students to learn service responsibly.
The best way to get to know us is through our students; read a few of our Student Testimonials.
We strive for the highest standards of safety, global education, and social & environmental ethics.
We know there are a lot of things to consider before traveling, and we are here to help! Here are the basics:
Use the Find Your Adventure Tool to learn more about the programs that interest you. You can easily compare programs by emphasis (e.g., more homestays or more trekking) with our Program Comparison Chart.
We’re here to answer your questions. Send us an email, use the chat box, attend a webinar, or schedule a time for a call with our staff.
Fill out an application and we’ll guide you through every step of the Enrollment Process and pre-departure preparations.
A gap year generally refers to a period of time between high school and college when a student takes a break from academics to pursue other activities like traveling or volunteering. A gap year can also be taken while a student is already enrolled in college. What was previously frowned upon and seen as an unconventional path has become more... Read more »
02.24.23Starting in the 2023/24 academic year, Princeton University will be launching a new Novogratz Bridge Year location with Dragons in Cambodia. Since 2005, Dragons has offered cultural immersion programs in Cambodia, exploring a wide range of topics, from Learning Service to peace building to conservation. The program will be based in Battambang, a... Read more »
02.20.23Cultural Immersion trips provide people of any age, including adults, with an opportunity to learn about different cultures and traditions on a person-to-person level. These types of programs are not vacations or service trips, they are off the beaten path, experience based and flexibly curated journeys that enable folks to see the world through a... Read more »
02.17.23
A gap year generally refers to a period of time between high school and college when a student takes a break from academics to pursue other activities like traveling or volunteering. A gap year can also be taken while a student is already enrolled in college. What was previously frowned upon and seen as an unconventional path has become more... Read more »
02.24.23Starting in the 2023/24 academic year, Princeton University will be launching a new Novogratz Bridge Year location with Dragons in Cambodia. Since 2005, Dragons has offered cultural immersion programs in Cambodia, exploring a wide range of topics, from Learning Service to peace building to conservation. The program will be based in Battambang, a... Read more »
02.20.23Cultural Immersion trips provide people of any age, including adults, with an opportunity to learn about different cultures and traditions on a person-to-person level. These types of programs are not vacations or service trips, they are off the beaten path, experience based and flexibly curated journeys that enable folks to see the world through a... Read more »
02.17.23
