There are so many organizations that take students abroad these days, but I can say with absolute confidence that Dragons offers the most unique, comprehensive, and life-changing experience available. I've been lucky enough to attend two of their programs, one 6 week summer course in high school, and one gap year semester before beginning college. "Attend" isn't even the right word; being a part of a Dragon's course is a full wake-up call to all your senses, a hands-on adventure that teaches students to engage deeply in the foreign world around them, and reflect on their own personal growth throughout the course. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think back to my experiences abroad with Dragons, and how these courses continue to affect me. At school, I am in a number of leadership positions that require skills that I picked up through Dragons- communication skills, learning how to give and receive feedback, navigating my needs with the needs of a group, responding sensitively to a completely different way of life and set of values, and so much more. Dragon's taught me to always look for ways to raise the bar- to constantly question if I am living a life that is aligned with my values, if I am taking full advantage of all the opportunities around me. This skill couldn't be more valuable in a college setting, and I started college after 3 months in Indonesia with Dragons ready to get the most of my 4 years. There are many qualities of a Dragon's trip that makes it stand out from other programs, but in particular the staff at Where There Be Dragons are some of the most incredible and inspirational people I have ever met. My instructor team on both trips that I participated in remain some of my greatest heroes. Years after our trip, they still check in with me and remember specific goals that I was working on during our course. Having the support of adults who were so invested in my personal experience and how to help me make the most of it, every single day of the trip, was amazing. My mom is the perfect archetype of an over-caring and nervous parent, so the fact that she let me go on not one but two trips to a foreign country says a lot about this organization. If you are looking for a few weeks of coasting on bus tour, or visiting museums apathetically, or chilling on a beach for 6 weeks, don't choose Dragons. If you are ready for an all-consuming adventure that will challenge you, inspire you to raise your awareness of self and the world, find yourself living with homestay families so drastically different than yours but so willing to open their way of life to you, to make 15 of the best friends you've ever had, and to come home and be shocked with how much there is to love in your life, then sign up for any course with Where There Be Dragons. It's the best choice I ever made. read more

Last fall, I was a student on the Where There Be Dragons Semester course in Indonesia. I hadn't planned on taking time off between High School and College, but my ED school (Middlebury College) accepted me with a gap semester. The idea terrified me, challenged me, and ultimately has been an incredible gift. The course with Dragons changed my life. One of the most incredible parts of Dragons courses are the instructors. Each program is made up of twelve students and a minimum of three instructors, at least one of whom is native to the country where the course is based. The instructors are chosen because of their experiences as travelers, teachers, and citizens of the world, and each came to the program with a wealth of experience in human rights, conservation, academics, and cultural building. All were wonderful, passionate people with a will to open our minds, widen our knowledge of this world, and to grow with us as we experienced the consciousness-expanding wonder of deep, informed travel. Whether the experience is four weeks or three months, being immersed in a new culture can be immensely challenging. It is so important to have quality mentorship in times of intense growth. Dragons recognizes this, and thus the instructors are people who can hold space for this kind of transformative opportunity. I found that, beyond being more than qualified to inform us on human rights issues, the environment, cultural tendencies in the developing and western world, and many more intellectual pursuits, the instructors were there to support us mentally and emotionally. They guided us, challenging us when necessary, but always there for us. They took care of us, but they also helped us learn to take care of ourselves. Another amazing thing about Dragons is the relationship they build with local communities. Everywhere we went Dragons sought to create a sustainable friendship that benefits students and locals equally. This certainly deepens the student experience as it opens up doors for friendships and mentorships. A homestay family that trusts Dragons as an organization will be more likely to get excited about sharing their world with a student. I will never forget the connections I made with parents, children, and friends as we traveled through Indonesia. In each community we studied the culture (religion(s), history, customs, political dynamics, and role of the western world in all of this), environment (conservation issues facing communities, the impact of these on their everyday lives, changes being made going forward, and our roles in these issues), and community (what are the health care and educational systems, how far away is the nearest hospital, how and what language do the children learn to read). We studied all of this through community interaction: we'd sit in on community gatherings, organize talks with the village head, midwife, shaman, workers, and professors, and we'd ask them to tell us about their lives and their world. We also set aside time to process with the group, to learn how best to handle the intensity of our experiences. The course had a great balance of time spent learning with the group and time spent exploring, hanging out, and integrating our experiences into a newfound awareness of self and the world. Each day we would come together for at least two hours to check in with everyone, take care of medical needs, and rediscover solidarity with our peers. When we needed it we would always make time to go snorkeling in the nearby coral reef, explore the regional volcano, sing songs around a bonfire, have a dance party, drink a coconut, and decompress. I know that this trip changed my life. On my own, I never could have made it to such remote and beautiful places, experienced so much depth in new cultures, made such close friendships, and internalized my experience as lasting inspiration. I have been blown away by the integrity and values exhibited by all the staff at Dragons, and I am so incredibly grateful to have been their student. Each student faced many challenges on this program: we went into the unknown and fought against our comfort zones. We pushed into growth and found that, as we were challenged, new worlds started to open up to us. New perspectives appeared, deeper empathy was felt, greater integrity was realized, and we were suddenly more mature, more moral, more in touch with our inner selves, and more sensitive to the lives of those around us in this vast, unpredictable, beautiful world. Having had this experience, I will never be able to live without thinking of myself in service to my community. I can't go back: I will always work harder in my friendships, find ways to explore, adventure, and deepen, and remember that I am a citizen of the world. I wish that more of my friends would do Dragons programs. I have complete faith they would find their minds and souls expanded by it, just as I have. read more

If you like at least 3 of the following things you are going to love Where There Be Dragons: adventures, exposure to foreign culture, inspirational moments, foreign languages, history/politics, foreign religions, situations that become fun stories to tell to friends at home, personal growth, gnarly diarrhea, amazing (and I mean AMAZING) friends, cool instructors, and shitloads of fun. I went on the Mekong trip last semester and am now in college and I can say with certainty that while college is fun it doesn't even compare to traveling in third world countries with Dragons. Not only is it fun; it's also inspiring. Thanks to Dragons I am now majoring in Chinese so I can travel all over the amazing country that I only saw a fraction of and still fell in love with. Shout out to my instructors Parker Pflaum, Somsanid Inthongsai, Emily Kirk, Cho Chor, and Gong (I don't know your surname) for being awesome. read more

The program gets everything right. They were well-organized. The Chinese instruction was rigorous, a full four hours a day, yet the instructors managed to create spontaneous events that kept it fun. My son adored playing soccer with Buddhist monks. We loved that they would send the kids in teams into the middle of a huge Chinese city on a scavenger hunt. They had to use their Chinese to find the items and find their way home. He had a wonderful time. We would definitely recommend them. read more

My daughter attended the intensive language program for China in 2011 and loved it. It was everything they said and more. Her instructors were very hands-on and the structure of the program was just what she needed to feel confident and successful while on her first big trip way from home. It was challenging and fun culturally, socially, emotionally and physically. She grew up a lot and improved her Mandarin beyond our expectations. She is not a typical 'classroom learner' and was concerned beforehand that 4 hrs of class per day would be too much. But when she got home and I asked her about it she said that those 4 hours felt like only a few minutes because it was so exciting and fun all the time. For her, it was a big adventure and her group-mates all got along. She loved everyone. There was a lot of support for the kids, yet at the same time they were expected to find their way around using Chinese. I can't say enough good things about it, especially the 'global citizenship' aspect. They were exposed to many facets of society and culture. We knew ahead of time that the first 2 weeks in rural China she would be living with Naxi people who don't speak Mandarin as their first language. They were prepped in how to communicate effectively and my daughter reported that they spoke more basic Mandarin than she did. During this time she attended Mandarin classes every day, and those were taught by Native Mandarin Speaking instructors. The second part of the trip was spent in the modern city of Kunming where she lived with a well-educated modern family than ran a private pre-school. Here she was in a high-rise apartment building, they owned a car, and she had to find her own way to the program house on public transportation. So she had a good taste of both the 'old' and 'new' China. Another aspect of the trip that she liked but was hesitant about at first, was living without her cell phone/ipod. It sounded drastic, but in the end she said one of the best things about the program was the group dynamic and friend-connection. The kids had to rely on interacting with each other rather than zoning out on the internet, which is what she slipped back into doing once she got home. The only aspect of the program that we, as parents, struggled with was not being able to communicate with our daughter on a regular basis. It was the first time she travelled so far from home and we are a very close family so it was probably harder for my husband and I than for her because her days were filled with excitement and ours were spent hoping all was OK. I thought the Dragons staff prepped us well for it, and I understand that because of the nature of the program and the areas where they were travelling, it was not possible to have more frequent communication. It was something I decided I needed to "let go" of. read more

The organization is tightly run. Requests are responded to quickly, questions answered immediately, concerns addressed on the spot. The organizational effectiveness and interaction with parents inspires confidence. We as parents felt that our child would be in good hands. Plethora of literature supporting the course shows much thought and interest in teaching. Not just a boondoggle trip, but a true lifetime experience. The company lives up to its promises (which are not overstated, again, they seem sincere....not at all sales oriented). -- Betsy M. P.S. Our son went on two programs and both were just perfect. Many of our friends' kids have attended these programs as well and all found the programs and instructors to be fantastic - a cut above all the rest. Definitely!! read more

I cannot recommend Where There Be Dragons highly enough. Before becoming an instructor with Dragons, I worked as an experiential educator for several other companies in the industry. When I started instructing for Dragons in West Africa in 2013, I knew I was home. Finally, a company that empowers instructors to work as educators and not just as tour guides. A company that actually encourages a student experience that is immersive and unfiltered, that goes below the surface of a packaged, repeatable tourist itinerary. A company that hires locals as instructors, centers local voices, and invests in an international staff training that was HANDS DOWN the best professional development experience of my life. A company with strong values and commitment to diversity and inclusivity that is constantly asking all the right ethical questions about this work. On top of it all, the Risk Management support at Dragons is a tightly oiled machine. My daughter is only 2 but I'm already dreaming about signing her up for a summer program! read more

I don't know why there are only reviews from parents at the moment I'm writing this, so as a student that ACTUALLY WENT on a dragons trip, I can say one thing without a doubt: It changed my life. That's not hyperbole, I was a different and better man when I returned. I was incredibly fortunate to be part of a group of exceptional kids with whom I became, and still am, incredibly close after our travels through India. My instructors were there for us when we needed them but gave us the autonomy to make our own experiences. The places we traveled to and the things we saw were so out of all of our comfort zones, there's no way we would have made it 3 months if the program itself wasn't so well put together. I would, and have, recommended this program to anyone looking for a similar experience. I went because I wanted to see the rest of the world and gain some real life experience before I started 4 years of college, and I got it in spades. I always felt that the program provided safety and support for me, at least as much as I needed. If I ever write my memoirs, my trip to India will be remembered as one of if not the most defining experience of my life, and Where There Be Dragons is what gave that to me. P.S. In response to the 1 star review, screw the packing list, you NEVER know what you'll need or what to expect, that's part of the experience! If you're missing something, find it where you are, it's part of the journey. Do bring charcoal pills though, those things are life savers. read more

Sending your child half way around the world is a scary proposition. With Dragons, we were reassured. My daughter took a gap year and went on the Himalaya program last year (note-she went non-credit. We wanted her to experience learning for the sake of learning--not grades). Perfect combination of oversight and freedom, trekking and urban, along with cultural education. She learned Nepali, met locals and government officials, experienced holidays with her family, navigated her way on Khatmandu's public transport, and spent time working and learning in the home village of one of her instructors- milking cows, threshing grain, working in the school. Her teachers were a combination of locals and non-. I was impressed. Her Dad and I joke that she left for three months and came back two years older. Having had friends who's children did other, less robust programs, I realize how lucky we were that she went with Dragons. I will say, it's not for the faint of heart--it's not western Europe--but it is amazing for those who are curious about the world and interested in challenging themselves. read more

I recently went abroad (Himalayas 2013) for the semester and I can safely say that this company changed my life. There are very few people in this world who are willing to give up the comforts of a modern home, familiar faces, and traditional lifestyles in order to inspire the previously closed-minded. Yet, these people do it time and time again with every intention of making the world a better place by educating youth about its many wonders. I can't even begin to list the "pros" of doing something like this, either for your own plan or for your child's, because literally every single person on this planet has something different to learn from an such an experience. read more

I can say with absolute certainty that Dragons changed my sons life in the best way possible. At 16 my son embarked on a journey to Burma with Dragons and returned home a young man with passion, direction and an appreciation for everything which surrounds him. It is hard to explain how different Dragon's is, as a program from other groups, if I had to try I would say it is the people they choose as leaders and their passion for learning to appreciate and grow in a culture without imposing their own judgments. Hand picked extremely small groups makes the experience special for everyone involved. I have recommended Dragon's to others and will continue to do so in the future. I am thankful for the amazing experience that my son was able to share with them. read more

I went to Laos for 6 weeks with Where There Be Dragons in 2003. With no exaggeration, the experience shaped my entire life path. It's been ten years and I still talk about going to Laos. Our group leaders were phenomenal people. One was an expat living in Laos who owned an eco-lodge (Bill), one was a Thai Peace Corps language instructor (Thumi) and one was a former Thailand Peace Corps volunteer (Max). They were amazingly caring, wise and patient people who I still think about often. And trust me, you have to be amazingly patient when you are corralling a group of teenagers full of their own preconceived notions about the world and excited to be away from their parents for the first time through isolated hill tribe communities located in the heart of a rainforest overrun with overwhelming beauty and leeches. When I got back home I felt unable to communicate the amazing world I had experienced to my parents. My parents had never experienced anything remotely close to what I lived through during my journey with Dragons. I remember selling my parents on the idea by saying it would make me more mature. In reality, I just wanted to be on my own and explore. But I did grow in maturity. The Dragons trip was when I learned who I was in the context of the world. I became humble and passionate all at the same time. The dragons trip showed me things that ignited my interest in the environment, politics, and anthropology, all of which shaped my current career. I would do anything to be able to do the trip again! At this point, my only motivation to have children is so I can send them on a Dragons trip and live vicariously through them. I have often thought of going back to Laos, but I know that without the instructors, my trip would not be the same. All three instructors spoke Lao fluently in a place where very few people spoke English. Bill had many connections with the Lao people, which allowed us to see things very few Westerners had ever witnessed before. One story that I often tell people is the time we trekked through the rain forest to an Akha village in the mountains. The country had just recently opened up to tourism, so a lot of tourist activities required trial runs. Our group arrived in the Akha village just as the sun was setting after an all day trek through a place so beautiful that it still haunts my dreams. During the trek, we hungrily devoured our lunch on giant banana leaves as we listened to the song of a lone gatherer rise up through the heat in the distance. I still have a picture of the lunch. We didn't know what to expect when we arrived in the village. The Akha people greeted us in their language and grabbed our hands to pull us into a communal thatch hut. They motioned for us to lie down on our stomachs as they lit candles in the darkness. As the light illuminated the ceiling, we looked up to see that the thatch roof was decorated with spiders the size of dinner plates, waiting for nightfall. Through body language we understood that the Akha had instructed us to lie down so that the women could give us massages. As the Akha began to kneed their knuckles into our shoulder blades we slowly realized that the Akha had never seen white people before. What started as a massage turned into the Akha chattering excitedly over our bodies while pulling at our extremities to hold them up to the light and compare them to their own. I just remained prostrate and compliant - giving up my limbs willingly for examination while my mind was being completely blown. I still seek to replicate the experience I had with Dragons and have never been successful. I have traveled all over the world, but have never been graced with the same cultural access that our group leaders were able to achieve in such a non-exploitive way. I recently moved to South Africa, still chasing the dream. One day I will go back... read more

My son went on a Where There Be Dragons trip to Guatemala and he says it was the best experience ever. There were many moments when he wanted to come home not because he did not feel safe, but because it was a true service trip and he had never done anything like it before. He was so proud when he completed the four weeks and came home. He meet some new friends and has kept in touch, he never felt unsafe and will remember this experience for the rest of his life. The leaders are committed and it is a very well run organization. I researched and was not disappointed in the least! read more

Inimitable programs- 5 stars, hands down. Profound, authentic, influential, and unforgettable. read more

I was a student last spring with the Life Along the Mekong Semester in Cambodia, Laos, and China. Before our trip even started, I was impressed by the thoughtfulness of the instructors as they reached out to us, informing us of useful material to prepare ourselves for three months of intense experiential learning. Each student and family received several Dragons-unique guidebooks to acquaint travelers with social customs, historic, political, cultural, religious and spiritual, environmental, and geographical background of the region we were to visit, as well as helpful guidelines for Dragons students to be culturally-sensitive, respectful, and aware of the places we were going to visit. Each student was sent a book of readings that would orient us well with the course and the academic material to supplement everything we saw along the way. As a student who didn't know much about Southeast Asia beforehand, this preparation was incredibly helpful and essential in providing me with an idea about the places we visited. Throughout the course, we referred to these readings frequently and were assigned research projects in which we would explore issues of the region using the readings as a context to frame our mindset and prepare ourselves for hands-on exploration. Throughout the course, I was highly impressed by each of our instructors, who brought a unique and specialized skill towards our studies and oriented student focus in different directions. For example, one of my instructors had grown up in the village in Cambodia where our trip spent a week in a wonderful yet intense home-stay, where each student fully engaged with and lived alongside a traditional family. He taught us Khemer language lessons daily as well as cultural "Do's and Dont's" so that we could communicate effectively with our host families and respect the traditional culture that we were fully immersed in. Another instructor had previously been a Buddhist monk, so throughout the course we would visit several monasteries, Wats, and temples, and would learn about the Buddhist religion firsthand through meditations and several opportunities to learn from and speak with practicing monks. Another aspect of the course was community engagement. Our program was structured so that students could engage with the community in a way that was both educational for us and enjoyable. Our community engagement came in the form of home-stays, structured service that was sensitive to what the community truly needed vs. what we (the tourists) thought they needed, (we asked a village leader what kind of project he wanted us to work on, and he'd asked us to beautify a Wat), we taught English in several elementary and middle schools, playing games with students as equals and not as superiors, and helped out in our homestays by cooking meals with our host-mothers or playing outside with our host-siblings. One of my favorite routines of the course would be our class discussions. Often, our group would spend a few days in a city or in a village and would have the opportunity to meet with NGO's (such as ChildSafe Cambodia, or Epic Arts Cambodia) or the opportunity to meet with organizations, such as USAID, in Laos. We could ask the representatives from these organizations questions, and they would explain the work that they do as well as the impacts of foreign aid in their countries. We would learn first from our instructors about these non-profits and their impacts, then we would meet with the organizations, and afterwards our group would meet and have a discussion about what we learned or a discussion topic relevant to our visit. For example, our trip was able to visit a massive dam-building project in China and get a tour from one of the developers of the project. After, we visited a displaced village that had been moved from the dam-building site, where we had the opportunity to speak with villagers who had been forced to move. After, our group met and had our own personal discussion/reading about the dam-building in China and development in the region in general, and could supplement that discussion with an NGO visit to a group that advocates for environmental awareness surrounding the dam-building processes. This was an immensely eye-opening and effective way for us to learn about development issues in the region with a hands-on approach that was very applicable for us as students to take home and further research on our own. All in all, Where There Be Dragons was an incredibly life-changing experience for me. I became more self-aware, more compassionate, more aware of the world, and much more informed and concerned about the well-being of others. I developed great travel skills, and brought back the best of friends who I have stayed in touch with and hope to stay in touch with for several years to come. I now have a bigger picture of the world, and I have several experiences/opinions that I can contribute to in class discussions and apply to my whole life. read more

Immature instructors who are unable to explain to kids what they are seeing or to create a positive group dynamic. They let cliques and meanness go unaddressed. In spite of what dragons says about safety some kids went out drinking--where were the instructors?? And forget about sticking to the suggested packing list -- just pack what you want--everyone else does. read more

My daughter just completed the Visions of India Semester. She had an unbelievable experience. The Dragons staff is professional in every category. Rebecca, Jeff, and Parker were excellent instructors and worked very hard to form a cohesive student group. My daughter was the youngest traveler, and the instructors welcomed her and helped her overcome any and all difficulties she encountered on her trip. She LOVED her homestay family. She enjoyed the freedom she had to explore Varanasi on her own, and she found all of the classes and instruction extremely interesting and educational. The TREK was the highlight of the trip. Dragons administers were quick to reassure parents during the Himalayan earthquake getting word out FAST that our students were unaffected by the quake. My daughter was on 3 different GAPS this past year and Dragons is "hands down" the most professional and reputable company around. There is no doubt that my daughter will be signing up for another Dragons trip in the future! read more

Fantastic organization. I did the Nepal Semester Program in fall 2012. Here's a little bit of an email I sent to a prospective student that inquired about my trip: I'm so glad you're considering the Himalayan Studies Program! Spending three months in Nepal with Dragons was one of the best decision I've ever made. In fact, its funny you contacted me, since I'm actually just beginning to look at study abroad programs available to me in college. And I'm starting to realize that nothing can really compare to the experience you get while traveling with Dragons. The Himalayan Studies program truly allows you to immerse yourself in the land more deeply than any other organized trip I have heard about. A little bit about my trip: After graduating from high school, I planned 7 months of traveling in South Asia. Starting with 3 months with Dragons in Nepal, followed by 4 months volunteering at a school in India. The semester I spent with dragons was invaluable to my year. They really introduced me to the idea of being a world traveller. From that semester, I gained an awareness of culture in the area that I simply wouldn't have gotten any other way. At the same time, I formed many new fantastic relationships both with my host families and with the students and instructors traveling with me. After three months in Nepal, with the guidance of extremely interesting and knowledgeable instructors, I felt much more prepared to take on India as an independent traveller. Plus, towards the end of my trip, I arranged to meet up with the Dragons' India spring group and felt right at home hanging out with them as well. There certainly are challenges that come along with spending a semester in Asia. Most things you will learn naturally as you go on the trip, from small Nepali mannerisms (you'll quickly pick up the characteristic "head bobble") to some life changing lessons about yourself and others, be it in gratitude, individuality, beauty or something else. At the same time, It can feel like a different world. And there will no doubt be situations that can feel overwhelming. That's a huge part of the instructors roles; to help work out those times when your out of your "comfort zone." There were quite a few instances when I just wanted to be laying on my couch at home, watching New Girl and eating a grilled cheese sandwich. But it's at these times, where we get to see what we are really capable of mentally and physically. I discovered so much about myself that I never would have found out if I hadn't gone abroad... especially with the Dragons group. read more

Where There Be Dragons just kicked 11 of 12 students out of the "China -- South of the Clouds" fall '16 program ... with NO warning, halfway through session. Claimed it was a "red rules" violation, but now the students are scrambling to get home from Western China and Dragons is pocketing the rest of the tuition money. About $7,500 lost per student with no refund. These young people just got seriously screwed over and will be scarred for years. read more

Where There Be Dragons is undoubtedly the greatest student travel company ever. I went on their Thailand 4 week course and had the most amazing experience of my entire life. No other company is more professional, educational, and authentic than Dragons. I have participated in similar programs offered by three other companies and none of the trips have come close to the amazing opportunities that Dragons can offer. Their leaders are all either in graduate school or have already completed their education. These guys are some of the most interesting people on the planet, no joke. They help students every step of the way to reach their full potential and get the most out of the experience while also caring for individual concerns and monitoring group dynamics. While the instructors teach you about global citizenship, current events, culture, and religion, they also teach you a lot about yourself. If you are looking for a way to delve into the culture of a nation and its people, look no further.This isn't an expensive way to rack up service hours while staying in plush hotels, Where There Be Dragons offers the real deal. Since the schedule serves as more of an outline, incredible moments happen all the time. There was never a dull moment over the course of the whole trip. Students can choose a lot of the activities they want to try and learn to become leaders for themselves. I grew more as a person and as a global citizen in the month that I spent in Thailand than I did in the several years prior. I would recommend Dragons to anyone who doesn't mind the rugged experience and wants to experience the reality of a country. read more

WTBD is an exceptional program for teens and young adults. My two sons had meaningful experiences on their respective programs that I would consider life changing, and the instructors rank as some of the most influential people in their lives so far. As good as it gets for this type of program. read more

I am so glad to see Dragons on Yelp! There are so many programs available for young people to choose from-the task can be daunting. However, fortunately my son had a close friend whose family had participated in numerous Dragons programs and he was sold: hook, line and sinker. He did a gap year program in Bolivia and Peru and it was truly life changing. It was certainly challenging, taking him out of him comfort zone, while also posing physical and health challenges at times, but of all the many experiences he has had over his lifetime, I can't say enough about the positive impact this experience had on him-- in ways that can't be taught in a classroom or advised. He left a boy, who although academically ready and mature enough to head off to college, did not have the confidence in himself as a leader or conviction to know what he wanted. He came back a man, who was focused, self assured, and ready to start the next chapter in his life. Thank you Dragons for giving him the environment and opportunity to grown and develop in that regard. In addition, the program was well organized, provided frequent communication and had well-trained, dedicated leaders. read more

Where There Be Dragons really and truly changed my life. I gained a sense of independence, a strength of character, and a feeling that I could conquer any obstacles that came in my way. I met a truly exceptional group of people, people who I was able to get to know in such a deep and personal way due to our shared experiences. Going to India was by far the most interesting, scary, and amazing experience, and without this program, I would never have been able to experience it the way that I did. Our instructors definitely did an amazing job, for they not only provided help when we needed it, but also allowed us to truly grow in this strange environment. The times I remember most are the times when I or other members in the group had to step up, assume responsibility, and lead the group on. This program is not for those who are not willing to open their hearts and their eyes, and to this day I think of this trip as one of the more difficult things I have ever done. However, it was by far the most amazing thing. I learned to open my eyes in a way I did not dream was possible, I learned to accept things about myself that before I could barely acknowledge, and, above all else, I came back a better person, a better citizen of this world. I cannot do Dragons justice just with these 5 stars and this jumbled review, but to anyone reading this, i beg of you, take a leap of faith, just as I did. You will be changed forever. read more

Where There Be Dragons really and truly changed my life. I gained a sense of independence, a strength of character, and a feeling that I could conquer any obstacles that came in my way. I met a truly exceptional group of people, people who I was able to get to know in such a deep and personal way due to our shared experiences. Going to India was by far the most interesting, scary, and amazing experience, and without this program, I would never have been able to experience it the way that I did. Our instructors definitely did an amazing job, for they not only provided help when we needed it, but also allowed us to truly grow in this strange environment. The times I remember most are the times when I or other members in the group had to step up, assume responsibility, and lead the group on. This program is not for those who are not willing to open their hearts and their eyes, and to this day I think of this trip as one of the more difficult things I have ever done. However, it was by far the most amazing thing. I learned to open my eyes in a way I did not dream was possible, I learned to accept things about myself that before I could barely acknowledge, and, above all else, I came back a better person, a better citizen of this world. I cannot do Dragons justice just with these 5 stars and this jumbled review, but to anyone reading this, i beg of you, take a leap of faith, just as I did. You will be changed forever. read more