Immerse yourself in Asia with Educational Travel Collaborative, L.L.C.

From Shanghai to Siem Reap, the Sundarbans to Shinjuku, Myanmar to Mongolia, we have travelled this massive, population dense, and diverse continent, and look forward to working to share it with you and connect your exploration of the region with your areas of academic interest.

6 out of 10 people on our planet live here. Get to know this exceptional continent.

There is no field of study, development, or entrepreneurship today that is untouched by the Asian continent.

Attempting to sum up Asia in a paragraph is an impossible task. Let us just say that there is absolutely nothing you cannot do in Asia. From engaging in indigenous relations in the frigid north of Japan to trekking through the jungles of Sumatra with Orangutans, from birds nest soup in Hong Kong's trendiest restaurants to home-cooking in a village in Bangladesh, there is nothing that is off the menu here, both literally and figuratively. We'd love to help you plan country-specific or regional travel that can transform your perspective of this region and the world.

Spotlight: India

An Assault on the Cultural Senses

The world's second-largest country, with fourteen official languages and nearly twenty thousand unofficial ones, isn't the easiest part of the world to travel. Nobody, however, can deny its value as a destination for personal or professional growth. Traditions, festivals, and day-to-day life in India create a rich and colorful tapestry of humanity that sets this destination apart. Those interested in development, sustainability, urban planning, infrastructure, conservation, emerging economics, manufacturing supply chains, and so much more will gain a great deal from experience in this part of the world. Let us work with you to build an itinerary that aligns with your passions and sets you apart from the crowd.

A Place of Peace and Regeneration

India isn't all urban sprawl - it is the home of the Bengal Tiger, the natural wonderland of Indian-controlled Kashmir and Assam, and, for many, a place of spiritual retreat and a center of mindfulness practices. Whatever brings you to India, we can help to tailor an itinerary through this wonderfully diverse and expansive nation that meets your personal and professional goals.

Spotlight: Japan

Modernity and Tradition

Japan is a better-known destination than many that we choose to spotlight - but there is so much to learn in this place that we simply can't leave it out. While it may be easy enough to fly into Tokyo or take a train to Kyoto, the sheer scale of Japan is often misunderstood - it takes about the same amount of time to fly across the country as to fly from Moscow to Lisbon. Many of us have lived and worked here, and we are uniquely positioned to support you in exploring this country of contrasts - a balance of ancient traditions and an embrace of modernity. Japan, the world's third-largest economy, is deeply relevant to virtually every area of study, from students of development to those of robotics, demilitarization to digital media production. We look forward to welcoming you to Japan and helping you to dive into its contrasts.

A Universe of Subcultures

Japan stands out globally in so many ways, but one is its balance of conformity and counterculture. From countryside traditions to the gaming and fashion mecca of Tokyo, Japan has so much to offer to anyone looking to broaden their understanding of the world or deepen their mastery of a specific skill. You won't regret including Japan in your gap year or doing some independent travel here!

Planning Notes

As with any area of the world, there are particular planning notes that you should be aware of - Asia is no exception, although our guidance will be more tailored to the specific country or countries you choose to visit. Here are a few tips to help set your expectations for exploring Asia!

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Duration

One of the things we find ourselves supporting aspiring travelers through most often is the adjustment of their expectations around how much they should attempt to see and do in a set amount of time. We wouldn't advise less than two weeks in any given country in the region with the exception of city visits and micro-states like Singapore - that said, there are still major differences - a few weeks can give you a great understanding of Vietnam or Taiwan, but exploring India merits more time. We look forward to unpacking these intricacies with you in our initial conversation!

Culture and Safety

The extraordinary diversity of Asia brings with it differences in cultural, religious, and social expectations, as well as unique and specific safety protocols. Whether you know where you plan to travel, or you need our help picking the destination that best fits your travel style, we will work behind the scenes to make sure you are prepared to engage safely with each place that you'll visit, allowing you to focus on engaging positively and deeply with the destinations you visit!

Entry Requirements and Fees

Asia is home to some of the easiest countries in the world for many passport holders to enter, as well as some of the most complicated and reclusive states - such as Bhutan, the DPRK, Myanmar, and China. Wherever your destination, we can work to plan your itinerary, maximize your time, keep you out of long visa lines, and minimize the fees related to all of this red tape, so that you can focus on your personal and academic objectives.

Estimated Costs and Pricing

Every itinerary is different, tailored to what you want to do and see, and your speed and style of travel. That said, these ballpark figures provide a solid estimate of what all-in costs would look like, including our fees, international airfare, and day-to-day meals and expenses. Estimates are for one traveler, see our pricing page for more information on small groups, and pricing differences for gap year travelers versus shorter-term travel.