Dragons featured in The Harvard Independent

We are excited to see Dragons featured in The Harvard Independent!

This reflection features Harvard student Matthew Thompson, a Dragons alumni who traveled to Senegal as part of a Where There Be Dragons Gap Semester program. The piece is titled Temporary Dropouts: International travel and pre-professional internships give gap year students the advantage of unconventional learning before college.

Here’s an excerpt:

“Matthew Thompson ’26 segmented his gap year between a pre-professional internship and international travel. He began as an intern for New York congressman Gregory Meeks on Capitol Hill. For Thompson, the most important part of this experience was exploring the Hill, sitting in on intense briefings, and making connections.

“For the three months following his internship, Thompson left his phone at home for a Senegal travel abroad program through Where There Be Dragons, a group travel abroad program. The trip consisted of three different home-stays with families that became genuine connections for Thompson, so much so that he still remains in contact with them. “I feel like I have three homes in Senegal. It’s a crazily hospitable place, you just show up and people have food for you,” he said.

“Thompson hoped to solidify an occupational interest field but rather learned what he didn’t want to do. “That isn’t a bad thing,” said Thompson. “I’m really glad I took on the experience, and I would recommend it for everyone.”

Head over to the Harvard Independent to read the full article.