journey of a lifetime

I've known for a long time that I both wanted to study abroad and to visit Bhutan (and the breathtaking Himalayas), so when I saw Naropa's program last fall, I immediately decided to embark on this journey, truly the journey of a lifetime. Studying abroad in Bhutan honestly was one of the scariest and most worthwhile things I have ever done. I would be lying if I said it was all easy - there were a lot of challenges to overcome concerning culture shock, homesickness, and learning how to be in intercultural relationships. However the challenges came hand in hand with amazement and of course immense growth. Bhutan has this incredible timelessness and beautiful deep sense of community that I feel so grateful to have been a part of. By the end of the trip, I didn't want to leave and especially part with friends who literally took me into their communal family with open arms and wide grins. This program comes with a lot of space, an escape from the stresses of fast paced western life that comes with few pauses, which I loved. Naropa's accompanying faculty member, Anne Parker, helped make the trip even more worthwhile with her expertise in intercultural communication and her support in all realms. Bhutan is a really beautiful country, culturally, environmentally, and socially, and I highly recommend looking more into this program if you're at all interested. It's an experience I cherish.