Dharamsala is in the northeastern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, a state known for its mountains and valleys, hill stations, old princely states, local village cultures, and centers of Tibetan culture in exile.

This program will take students to a corner of India which has few study abroad programs, at present. It will provide students the opportunity to experience the energy of Tibet’s Buddhist teaching and artistic life as it adapts its traditions to the challenges of exile.

Norbulingka Institute for teaching and preserving Tibet’s artistic culture is our collaborator in the project, and will be the site of our classes.

Students from any major will learn about Buddhism and Tibetan culture, both theoretically and practically. They will read widely and critically in Tibetan Buddhist philosophical literature. They will have active exchanges with the Tibetan population.

Students will have an extraordinary opportunity to become acquainted with a distinctive landscape and material culture. Students will also benefit from the opportunity to contribute to this culture through service learning and active dialog.