Dragon NXT Group, LLC offers educational and cultural exchange programs that create participatory learning communities in northwest China. We specialize in introducing US students and families with a serious interest in investigating and understanding the rich social and cultural issues confronting a unique region in China, to learning communities, students, and families in northwest China. Join us to explore a China rarely seen by Westerners. Our exchange programs include unique customized trips for students, teachers, parents, and other curious seekers of understanding, to a distant, unfamiliar land, guided by program leaders whose passion is matched by their deep local knowledge.

We also assist and provide support to American and Chinese families who sponsor students for educational and cultural exchanges. Families who would like to serve as hosts to students who want to experience a full cultural and language immersion program should sign up and participate in our community.

Origins of our name.
During his year teaching at Ningxia Polytechnic University in Yinchuan in 2008, Managing Director Steve Wilmarth held classes in the use of social media to enhance language learning, critical thinking, and creativity for Chinese students who had never experienced project-based learning. The learning activities required students to "develop" teams that could meet thematic challenges incorporated into the course curriculum. One team put together an e-commerce website to re-create a local bazaar on the web, offering unique local items to an audience beyond the home region of the ethnic groups of northwest China.

This group of students turned out impressive work and became a model for what is possible in curriculum reform to help build 21st century skills in emerging economies everywhere. The students named their team the "Dragon NXT Group." "NXT" is an abbreviation of Ningxia Polytechnic University. And so, in honor of the impact this team had on our founding director, we've selected Dragon NXT Group as our name, as well.

A skilled and experienced Dragon NXT team.
Our Chinese and American program leaders and staff have diverse and rich backgrounds in all things China. Our team combines expertise in international and language education, travel, living and work experience in China, Chinese and China studies, as well as the many thematic areas of our trips. We capitalize on our personal and professional knowledge of China to create unforgettable experiences with insights and opportunities that no other exchange program can provide.

China is at the heart of what we do.
Unlike other exchange program operators that do not specialize in one region or country, Dragon NXT Group, by definition and design, is all about China. Our northwest China focus guarantees that we will offer the most passionate and knowledgeable experience to introduce you to China and a region in China that combines a unique cultural, historical, and ethnic experience.

Unique exchange experiences designed for each student and every family.
Dragon NXT Group designs every single exchange program with the particular student, family, and group in mind. We consider factors such individual backgrounds, interests, language levels, and special requests to put together an experience that is right for students and families. We do not repackage “off-the-shelf” programs but rather continue to evolve our cultural and educational exchanges based on specific needs, time of year, and any exciting new opportunities that we find for our programs.

We bring you to the famous sites and off the beaten track.
In addition to visiting the sites in China that you have always dreamed about, Dragon NXT educational and cultural exchanges provide insider access to places and experiences you won’t find on your own. Climb the Great Wall one day and then travel to a Hui Muslim community several hundred miles and two centuries away, where you learn how to make dumplings with a local family. Witness the famous Terracotta Army museum and then share a meal and rituals with Buddhist monks in a monastery high on the edge of the Tibetan plateau. By having a full-time Dragon NXT staff person lead your tour, you know that you’ll have a knowledgeable expert with a passion for China opening these kinds of doors. Our staff expertise, China focus, and personalized touch mean that you’ll get the most nuanced view into China today through a Dragon NXT Group educational and cultural exchange program.