National Geographic On Assignment Projects
On each of our expeditions, you'll have an opportunity to choose from one of three On Assignment projects offered on the trip. Throughout the expedition, you'll break into smaller exploration teams to pursue your On Assignment project. With the guidance of trip leaders and our National Geographic expert, you'll brainstorm ideas, choose a focus, and develop your project during the course of the trip. Dig deeper into a country's landscape and culture to develop your own story through writing, photography, or hands-on research. As you explore ancient Maya caves in Belize, spot lions on the Tanzanian plains, or trek across glaciers in Iceland, you'll experience your surroundings through the personalized lens of your project.
Take a look at our ten On Assignment projects and the destinations in which they're offered.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Set out on photo shoots to improve your photography skills and capture the color and character of the places you encounter. Develop a photo essay about a person or topic that piques your interest, and create images that convey the atmosphere of a place.
This On Assignment Project is available on the following expeditions:
Peru, Ecuador/Galápagos, Costa Rica, Belize, Caribbean, Mali, Tanzania, China, India, or Spain
WRITING: During writing workshops in the field, bring to life your inspiring surroundings and evoke a sense of place with your words. Through a travel essay or creative prose, reconstruct the past, immortalize the present, or imagine the future.
This On Assignment Project is available on the following expeditions:
Peru, Ecuador/Galápagos, China, Ireland, Spain, or Iceland
DOCUMENTARY FILM: Work in production teams to document your journey, the people you meet, and the events you witness. Create a narrative that captures the sights, sounds, and personality of a place through the versatile medium of film.
This On Assignment Project is available on the following expeditions:
Costa Rica, Ireland, or Iceland
CULTURE & ARTS: Delve deeper into the unique customs of the local culture. Visit the workshops of local artisans, and try your hand at their age-old crafts. Participate in preparations for a local festival, or interview village elders.
This On Assignment Project is available on the following expeditions:
Belize, Caribbean, Mali, Tanzania, China, or India
ARCHAEOLOGY & ANCIENT CULTURE: Venture out in your exploration team to uncover the complex layers of past civilizations. Explore ancient ruins, discover the rich mythology behind these treasured sites, and investigate the links between ancient and modern worlds.
This On Assignment Project is available on the following expeditions:
Peru or Ireland
WILDLIFE & CONSERVATION: Discover extraordinary ecological diversity with naturalists and biologists. Learn about local and national efforts to protect natural resources, and investigate the threats that population and poverty pose to conservation initiatives.
This On Assignment Project is available on the following expeditions:
Ecuador/Galápagos, Costa Rica, Belize, Caribbean, or Tanzania
SPANISH LANGUAGE: Surround yourself with Spanish speakers and hone your language skills. Purchase picnic supplies in a produce market. Interview locals about their everyday life, and chat with new Spanish friends. Then use your skills to lead a group activity in the community.
This On Assignment Project is available on the following expedition: Spain
CLIMATE & GEOLOGY: Examine the science of global climate change and the potential of geothermal energy in a place where climatic forces are dramatic and evident. Discuss the local and global effects of climate change, meet with scientists, and map the movement of receding glaciers.
This On Assignment Project is available on the following expedition: Iceland
MUSIC & DANCE: Immerse your-self in the vibrant world of West African music and dance. Learn the different beats of the djembé, participate in rhythmic and athletic indigenous dances, and investigate the ancient griot story-telling tradition.
This On Assignment Project is available on the following expedition: Mali
SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS: Discover a rich panoply of religious traditions. Spend time at temples; observe age-old rituals; meet with spiritual leaders; and get to know practitioners of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain faiths.
This On Assignment Project is available on the following expedition: India
Supplemental Fees: Students choosing the Photography On Assignment project must provide their own digital camera with a pixel depth of at least three mega pixels. There is a supplemental fee of $150 to cover additional supplies and on-site computing facilities for this On Assignment project. For students choosing the Documentary Film On Assignment project, we will provide all video cameras, camera stock, and computers for editing. There is a $250 supplemental fee for this On Assignment project.
