Gap Year Programs in Chitwan,Nepal

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.

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.

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!

I spent 3 months in Nepal with Where There Be Dragons. On my trip I spent a week at a buddhist monestary learning philosophy and medication and living alongside monks as they went about their daily lives. I lived for 2 weeks with a family in a rural village. During my time there I experienced life as a local while also having daily language lessons and group activities with the rest of my group. The family I stayed with spoke very little english and, at the time, I spoke very little Nepali, despite the language barrier I was able to connect so beautifully with my 3 siblings, my mother, and the slew of other single months and their children that often hung out at our house. They all made me feel so welcome and loved and J would say it was the most rewarding and special experience of my whole trip. I then spent a week trekking in the Himalayan mountains from village to village with my group. This was another beautiful experience, not only because of the views, but because of the connections I made with my fellow students and my instructors. Next I spent 3.5 weeks living with a different family in the city of Patan. Once again the group met daily for language classes and to explore the city. We also partook in independent study projects where we each got to choose a different Nepali skill to learn, I chose silver jewelry making and I came home with many pieces to share. The city itself was beautiful and had endless things to see but also my family was once again so welcoming and made me feel at home. I was fortunate enough to be there during two large festivals and I got to experience them first hand with my family, going to family gatherings and hosting as well. I felt so immersed in the culture. The last thing we did was another trek, this one was 2 weeks. We reached 5,106 meters (17,000ft) during this trek. Our team and guides were incredible and it was such a rewarding and incredible experience. I have never seen such views or connected so closely with my peers. I will be forever grateful that I attended this trip and I highly recommend it for anyone who has the opportunity. The only negative thing I can say is that it is fairly expensive and while they offer great financial aid, a spot is not guaranteed unless you are paying full price so the program could fill up before they process your financial aid. I recommend applying to a couple different programs just in case. Anyways, happy travels!!