- Bhutan
About Program
Explore a Himalayan culture where “happiness” has become a measure of national development. Homestays and intimate community connections help unveil unique Buddhist world-views.
In Bhutan, the phrase "Gross National Happiness" lands itself on a list of key metrics for development. The program encourages us to think critically about what happiness means in the Bhutanese context, and ask what we can learn about notions of “happiness” as contributors to our own quality of life. Our journey into the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan gives us rare access to vast and wild landscapes, challenging us to reevaluate commonly held notions of our role in the natural world.
Video and Photos
Diversity & Inclusion
BIPOC Support
LGBTQIA+ Support
In some cases, students may be advised not to speak about their sexual orientations and/or gender identities with local contacts (such as homestay families, ISP mentors, language teachers, and guest speakers) due to safety concerns. Likewise, transgender and non-binary students may have to choose to present outwardly as male or female in certain contexts during the program. In other cases, “coming out” to some or all host community members may be a safe choice.
Neurodivergent Support
Accessibility Support
Impact
Sustainability
Ethical Impact
Learning Service is a holistic experience that combines an intimate and authentic engagement with the local community, the study of effective development, and the contribution to an established community-driven project. It is the process of living, working alongside, and humbly absorbing the culture of those being served while coordinating closely with project managers to understand the trajectory of the project, from inception to completion and beyond. It is an acknowledgment that often it is the volunteer who stands to gain as much or more from the work. And it is a commitment to making contributions that create positive impacts in the communities coupled with the humility to always listen and learn first.
Program Highlights
- Hike up to Paro Taktsang, the sacred cliffside monastery also known as the “Tiger’s Nest”
- Meditation and hands-on learning with the nuns in the Buddhist Nuns Foundation
- Tibetan Buddhism, the state religion, can be found everywhere in Bhutan, from government policies to educational systems to everyday cultural practices. We explore Buddhism as a religion, life philosophy, and living practice.
- We have a 3-day trek that involves camping, as well as multiple opportunities for day hikes in the surrounding hills and mountains.
- We have multiple opportunities to experience Bhutanese family life and cultural traditions. We have a 5-7 day homestay in a village of farmers famous for their wool yarn and weaving, and a number of single-home farmstays.
Scholarships
Where There Be Dragons Financial Aid & 529 Funds
Where There Be Dragons offers need-based financial aid to students that demonstrate reasonable financial need and are excited to engage with communities around the world.