FAQ
You’ve got questions…we’ve got answers.
WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE ARE ATTRACTED TO A DRAGONS TRAVEL PROGRAM?
While no prior travel experience is required, our participants love to travel. They are enthusiastic about new experiences, open minded, flexible, and able to share themselves with new people. They are empathetic, curious, adventurous and cooperative with an ability to rough it.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE AGE RANGE?
Our groups are multi-generational, with ages ranging from 30 to 75 years. Participants on our courses have remarked that age diversity within the group has created a unique and valuable forum for discussing both global and personal topics.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THE PROGRAM?
All meals, accommodations (twin share), community stays, permits, site entrance fees, facilitated educational experiences & learning activities, and in-country transportation.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THE PROGRAM?
International flights, entry visas, medical emergency evacuation, personal shopping, laundry expenses, instructor gratuity, alcohol and supplemental single rooms. Medical emergency evacuation is available through our partnership with International SOS for $125.
HOW ARE DRAGONS PROGRAMS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PROGRAMS?
Dragons programs are immersion trips that help participants build an in-depth understanding of place while uncovering a more profound sense of self. By selecting only the most qualified and experienced instructors and keeping our groups small, we maintain a level of intimacy and instruction that is unsurpassed in the industry.
We also carefully construct each program from the ground up. We do not subcontract programs to tour operators, and we do not run pre-packaged programs that can be run in multiple sessions. Every Dragons program is a unique learning adventure that is carefully stewarded by a dedicated administrative team, and takes maximum advantage of the unique character of the group and place, as well as the strengths of our instructors.
WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE?
Every day is designed to strike a balance between structured programming and un-orchestrated opportunities for cultural engagement. On a typical day during homestays, participants may gather at the central program house for language study or a guest speaker and then fan out into the local community to work with a mentor. A typical travel day may find participants on a local bus or in a rented van, traveling until they reach a family-owned guesthouse. Each morning starts with a briefing of the day’s activities and in the evening a reflection. Participants can opt out of activities when personal time is needed.
WHAT ARE THE INSTRUCTOR’S QUALIFICATIONS?
Dragons instructors have a plethora of in-country experience and a high level of cultural and linguistic fluency. Years of in-country experience allow our instructors to manage responsive course itineraries and draw on personal contacts and community connections during the course design process.
More than anything, instructors understand that a Dragons course is a participant-centered experience. They are dedicated to building strong connections with each participant and are invested in delivering a safe, educational experience. They value reciprocal relationships with our host communities and work hard to sustain open and enduring connections with our partners in the field.
HOW MUCH GROUP TIME IS THERE VERSUS INDIVIDUAL TIME?
At the start of the course, as we orient to the group and our new location, participants can expect more group time. However, as the course progresses, there are opportunities for participants to explore more on their own. There is always the option to take time for oneself, as we know individuals need time to integrate all that is experienced and learned in a day.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A PARTICIPANT GETS SICK OR INJURED?
We work with exceptional emergency response services and evacuation providers, and we have carefully researched in-country medical facilities. Our instructors go into the field with comprehensive emergency management tools. When and if a participant becomes ill, we respond effectively and immediately, working with our medical adviser to ensure appropriate medical care, and liaising with our evacuation company if it is determined that a higher level of care is necessary.
