Overview

Our Summer Abroad Program in Bhutan is designed specifically for high school students for summer immersion purposes. The program offers students a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in a culture rich with history and vibrant traditions while learning about Gross National Happiness and Sustainability.

As guest students at Karma Academy (a leading high school located in Paro, Bhutan), students will have the opportunity to engage on a very personal level with their hosts. Students will take a few courses with local students and faculty, and engage in a practice placement in a community organization/governmental agency, and travel to different parts of the country. The program offers students opportunities to interact with ordinary Bhutanese citizens and key leaders who are involved in Bhutan’s development.

Locations in Bhutan

• Paro

• Thimphu

• Punakha

• Wangdue Phodrang

Program Categories:

• Adventure Travel

• Cultural Immersion

• Study Abroad

Program Details:

Timeframe: 2 week program

Housing: School dorm, host family, community home-stay facilities

1. Karma Academy

• Students will take one course of their choice with Karma Academy students. The school is located in Shaba, Paro. It is a co-educational high school catering to Grade 11 and 12 offering classes in science, commerce and arts stream.

• Students will participate in local campus activities, some of which include student-run clubs and sports programs.

• During their stay in Paro, students will visit the office of the Local Government leader in Shaba, and Rinpung Dzong—a Buddhist monastery and fortress which houses the district monastic body and government administrative offices of Paro. This will provide students with an opportunity to experience governance and culture in Bhutan, and exchange in dialogues with local leaders.

• Students will also visit other places of interest such as Taktsang (Tigers Nest), Kichu Lhakhang, Drugyel Dzong, Chelela Pass.

2. Excursions and Field Trips

• After a week in Paro, students will begin their multi-day excursion by traveling to Thimphu (capital city of Bhutan).

• Students will visit places of interest in Thimphu such as the Takin Reserve, Craft Bazaar, Kuensel Phodrang, Trashi Chho Dzong, Textile Museum, Memorial Chorten. Students will travel to Punakha and visit Chimi Lhakhang, Punakha Dzong, and Khamsum Yulley.

• Phobjikha: The excursion in Phobjikha will allow students to participate in rural Bhutanese life. Students will stay in community home-stays and participate in a volunteer project in a rural village.

3. Placement

• The exchange placement part of the program is a service learning course that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, and strengthen communities. Students will be placed with a local civil society organization, NGO or a governmental agency that focuses on topics with environmental, governance, democracy, youth activities, media and women’s issues. Practicum placements will be developed to fit with student’s interest.

• Students will stay with host families.

Included in Cost

• Personal Guide

• Personal Driver

• All Meals: Locally Sourced Organic Cuisine

• Transportation

• Hot Stone Bath

• Personal Session with Monk

• Airport Pickup and Dropoff