Discover Vietnam

  Vietnam

• Hanoi: 
Hanoi
• All Other Areas in Vietnam: 
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon),  Hue,  Sa Pa

Term: Summer 
Dates: June - August

Description: The history of Vietnam is epic; few countries have weathered as much. And few people have persevered under such adversity while maintaining so positive a spirit. Vietnam's history is captivating: ancient traditions co-mingle with the cultures of past colonizers ' the French, Chinese and Americans. Our service-intensive Vietnam program offers passionate and inspired students the opportunity to engage in meaningful and productive work projects while learning about the history and traditions of a culturally rich and diverse nation. In Hanoi we meet with community leaders, development professionals, and the American Ambassador; in the North we boat through the placid waters of Halong Bay, and hike through the minority communities around Sapa; in Hue we work with clinics and orphanages, and we study Vietnamese Buddhism at Thich Nhat Hanh's White Cloud Pagoda. Along the central coast, and in the central highlands, we visit families, attend ancient and sacred ceremonies, and we engage in further service work. In Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekhong Delta we explore the lives and traditions of south Vietnamese. Throughout the program we learn rudimentary language skills, and we develop close bonds with the youth of Vietnam. And by meeting with heads of industry, representatives of non-governmental organizations and members of the American State Department, we investigate the potential for enormous economic and cultural change in Vietnam. This could be the best time ever to explore Vietnam. As a country of old-world charm, with a history that is profoundly linked to the United States, and as a place that will change significantly in the years to come, Vietnam offers any forward thinking and compassionate student a rich and meaningful summer.

Highlights: Welcome to our youth programs. Here you will be able to learn about our rich learning adventures and the spectacular landscapes we explore. As you travel through these pages, imagine Asia's vibrant colors ' enthralling gold and jewel ' encrusted temples, brightly adorned mazes of outside markets, the awesome Himalayas. Savor the aromas ' fragrant burning incense, spattering yak-butter candles, spicy coconut curry. And hear the sounds ' moisture dripping slowly down jungle vines, mesmerizing chants of monks, footsteps of devoted pilgrims walking toward sacred, distant places. Hidden within these itineraries are spontaneous adventures and infinite personal discoveries, here ' amid the richness of Asia, waiting for you.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: 5500 - 6000

Experience Required: no

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Where There Be Dragons's Mission Statement: Through expertly guided and honest introductions to the cultural and physical landscapes of developing Asia and Latin America, and through Experiential Education that stresses the empowerment of the student, Dragons strives to cultivate cultural awareness and sensitivity, opportunities for personal growth through physical and emotional challenges, and a commitment to the communities through which we travel, providing young adults with a richer understanding of themselves, and of the social and physical worlds around them.

Year Founded: 1992