Gap Year Programs During High School

Spanish classes were good I’m definitely improving which is spectacular. The volunteering was really cool for turtle conservation - not much sleep but a whole lot of turtles. Haven’t finished program but am looking forward to Manuel Antonio.

Spent a month volunteering with the turtles in ostional. Such an incredible experience to see the arribada and all of the turtles in the night. Beach and sunsets were so beautiful and I met so many amazing cool people!

I looked into arranging a Bali internship myself and it was overwhelming I didn't know where to start with visas, housing, finding a company that would actually take an intern. Island Internship handled all of it. They placed me in a hospitality role in Canggu, set up my accommodation, and supported me the whole way. Clear communication, no surprises, genuinely worth it. If you're a student weighing whether to book a program or go it alone, this took all the risk out of it.

I was in Quepos for 6 weeks did Spanish classes, surf classes and two volunteer projects (working with kids and teaching english). I made a lot of new friends, got more independent and experienced an amazing country like a local.

Excellent impressive service from Hanna ('Hanna 2') and Global. You are well organised to move mountains in one phone call.! I didn't imagine the enquiry call would progress to a confirmed placement! A 16 year old seed has finally been reaped and now looking forward to the sewing season next year. Thankful for such a service as this. Thank you so much. Espana! Velvo a ti!

I joined the 2-week program during my gap year and honestly, it was one of the best decisions I made. I wanted something fun, practical, and a bit different, and this was exactly that. From the very beginning, everyone made me feel welcome, and the whole experience was relaxed, friendly, and really enjoyable. I loved that it was hands-on and I got to actually do things for myself rather than just watch. I learned loads in a short amount of time, but it never felt overwhelming because everything was explained clearly and the support was always there when I needed it. The atmosphere was great too — it felt social, fun, and easy to be part of, which made the two weeks go by so quickly. By the end, I felt much more confident and proud of what I’d achieved. It was such a valuable experience for my gap year, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for something memorable, enjoyable, and worthwhile.

I came to Argentina with mente Argentina for the first time and it was a really good experience ! It’s perfect if you want to make friends and contacts really quickly, the atmosphere is warm, people are really nice and the activities are amazing ! I did the barman program during 1 month and it was really resourceful but I ended up staying in Argentina longer using Mente Argentinas apartment. Even if I was technically not with Mente anymore, I kept really good friendships from mente Argentina as I was in the shared apartment option. The apartment has everything you need to make your stay comfortable, it was also close to marketplaces, bars etc. This option is also really good if you want to make friends fast ! I recommend entirely !

My semester abroad in Nepal was one of the most influential and memorable three months of my life - even years on afterwards! This trip pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best ways - learning to bargain, figuring things out for myself in a place that was completely new to me, fumbling (but loving!) learning Nepali and the excitement of speaking to people in rural villages and learning about what their lives were like, pushing myself physically when it came to trekking, eating so many momos (delicious!), and feeling the extraordinary peace of days of silence at the Buddhist monastery. The instructors were also incredibly supportive and helped me make connections for my independent study project (theater in Kathmandu). I came back from Nepal with so much more confidence in myself and my abilities; I would not trade this experience for anything!

Going to Nepal changed my entire life. I wish I could go back. The experiences I had, the people I met, the food… I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to go. The trip was well organized and I always felt safe. I knew I could rely on my team leads. There were numerous opportunities to lean into activities that I was interested in, and I felt an appropriate amount of freedom and boundaries which are both very important when traveling to a foreign country!! I would recommend a dragons program to anyone. It’s not an experience you come to regret.

Over 10 years ago I had the most incredible gap year experience in Bolivia and Peru with Where there be Dragons. The knowledge I gathered during that trip continues to inform my thinking and career path today. My time in Bolivia and Peru, learning about international development through the lens of host families, local NGOs, civil society organizations, and the Where there be Dragons staff themselves inspired me to pursue an undergraduate degree (and now graduate!) in international studies, Spanish, development, and policy. I have spent 10 years living, working, and studying in Washington DC and continue to reference this experience in job interviews and graduate program applications. Shockingly, all of this isn't even the best part of the experience. Instead, it's the relationships and friendships built that continue to last the test of time. In the past year I've seen three dragons friends around the US, and over the past ten years there's been countless reunions and catch ups. Would highly recommend this program to anyone looking for experiential learning opportunities that seamlessly blend intense outdoor exploration, independent study, and cultural immersion- as well as of course lifetime friendships.

I wanted a gap year that actually meant something, not just backpacking. This program gave me structure and purpose. I studied at Fudan University in Shanghai while interning at a finance firm. My Mandarin improved so much I could hold business meetings by month four. The support team was incredible — always there when I needed help. Now I'm working in international trade, and this experience is on every interview list. Worth every penny.

While on my Dragons program, I learned not only about the world around me and new places and people, but I also gained confidence in myself. My program had a focus on cultural immersion and understanding how Morocco and Spain are connected. This was very interesting to learn about, and we did this via language lessons, homestays, and meeting local people. Overall, I realized that the world is much more interconnected than I thought, and I have been inspired to continue traveling and to immerse myself in different cultures intentionally. Luckily, I have also found a global community that is like-minded through Where There Be Dragons, and I feel that after my program, I have a whole new world of opportunities available to me.

My time with where there be dragons completely changed my life. During the three months I spent traveling I learned more about the world and my place in it than I ever had in traditional schooling. I was faced with discomforts and challenges that most people never get the opportunity to face and grow from and it helped me become a better human. These programs are designed incredibly well, there is so much intentionality, time, energy and love put into creating a transformative experience for each student. I cannot recommend dragons more!

My Dragons trip was the best and coolest thing I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing. All of my instructors were incredible and personable. They all wanted nothing more than to see us happy and to see us succeed in whatever we were doing. The itinerary was amazing, and we got to experience some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.

I did a semester in Indonesia over my gap year in 2022 and it has shaped my life since. The friendships and connections have continued three years later and I have been back to visit and practice the language since. What a beautiful experience!

My Dragons program allowed me to explore and reveal my passions. My instructors and peers are still my mentors to this day and showed me all that is possible. I left my semester with a clear sense of what I wanted to study in College, a passion for travel, and lifelong friends. I was supported every step of the way and empowered to travel on my own. Stepping out of my comfort zone with Dragons changed my life and expanded my horizons.

I traveled to Bolivia and Peru with WTBD in fall of 2022 during my gap year before university! I had no prior experience in South America or speaking Spanish for that matter. It was truly incredible, the way the program was ran. The instructors worked really well together, I was supported and could really felt like they had my best interests at heart. Home stays were an incredible experience, it was a bit scary more having never spoken Spanish, but all of host families were super patient and kind. I feel like I will always have a family throughout Bolivia and Peru now!!

This program changed everything for me! Afterwards, I became a research SCUBA diver, worked for the US Geological Survey, was essentially a lighthouse keeper - I wouldn't have done this had Dragons not taught me that it is okay to be outside of your comfort zone. From the most loving homestays in both rural and urban areas, trekking for 3 weeks through the Himalayas (I'd never even slept in a tent before), to taking a vow of silence in a Buddhist Monastery nestled in the mountains...each experience taught me lessons I never would have expected. Not having a phone can only be described as COMPLETELY freeing. After the program, I felt so much more mature, grounded, and self-reliant. 1000000000/10 would do this again. It is one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Loved it so much! I learned so much about myself and about South America. After coming home I felt more prepared to attend after having taken the break. It was the perfect mix of outdoor time and also city immersion.

This program was the best program I've ever done. I still keep in touch with my homestay family after 10 years! Dragons helped me explore my interests and ultimately set me up for a successful undergrad and graduate degree in Environmental Science and Policy. I would recommend this program to anyone!