Cultural Exchange programs cater to groups and individuals. Following is information on Cultural Exchange, cultural immersion (one week) and our Homestay program (one month) offered at Lha.
History of the Tibetan Cultural Exchange Program
In 2002, Lha was asked by the Tulane University School of Social Work to assist a group of graduate social work students on an international social work expedition to Dharamsala. Students were engaged in social work projects within the Tibetan refugee and the local Indian communities, and our Cultural Exchange Program was born.
We have been welcoming growing numbers of visiting school groups each year. In 2008 there were seven groups, in 2009 eleven groups of university and high-schools students, mainly from the USA. Every year over 75 students participate in the program.
Currently, Lha works with student groups every summer from the Tulane School of Social Work, Tulane University, Centenary College, Loyola University, Rustic Path Way, and other US universities and high schools.
Student groups generally come to take part between March and June, and September and October. At this time of year – students also enjoy the excellent weather in this beautiful region. Length of stay varies from between a week to a month.
Lha’s primary goal is facilitate an easy transition for the Tibetan community-in-exile and provide a long-term rehabilitation resource centre that brings an educational, cultural and social service bridge to the refugees in North India
Lha is unique organization in the area that offers services to the whole community – Tibetan, local Indian and visitors.
We hope that your experience participating in this program will be an enriching one. By introducing our unique Tibetan culture to you, we hope to provide you with an opportunity to learn about us.
The cultural exchange experience
The cultural exchange program involves each visiting student being paired off with a ‘Mutual Learning Partner’ – a Tibetan English language student at Lha. The students are able to share stories about their lives and experiences. Visiting students get to visit the homes of their new friends, meet other members of their family, and make friends in the Tibetan refugee community
Your travel arrangements
On your arrival Lha can pick your group up at the Delhi airport, and we can arrange comfortable and safe accommodation during your stay in Delhi. Lha can provide room and board at our building in town. We can accommodate 15-20 people. Please note this option is available during October – May. At other times, and if you would prefer to arrange your own accommodation we can assist with recommendations if requested.
We also offer other optional services including:
Arranging a tour of Delhi; including the Tibetan settlement, Majnu ka Tilla.
A tour of Dharamsala including the Tibetan Government in Exile located in Gangchen Kyishong, just a few kilometers from McLeod Ganj.
Arranging tours or travel arrangements for other places you are interested in around Dharamsala. Previously, groups have visited the regions of Bir and Tso Pema (Riwalsar in Indian). Both are beautiful, relatively small places and have small communities of Tibetans.
Courses at Lha including Tibetan cooking, language, art, yoga and massage treatment/course.
Cultural Immersion: This is a cultural exchange program for both individuals and groups, and runs for one week. This fee is $520and includes breakfast. The same Orientation and Reception applies with these added opportunities. For your first week in Dharamsala you will be paired with a Mutual Learning Partner. This partner will be one of the young adult Tibetan Refugees that is an English language student in Lha’s language school. Each morning your Tibetan partner will meet you from 9AM to Noon. During this time together you will learn about the community, about the life of a young Tibetan Refugee and create a friendship that will last throughout your time in Dharamsala and hopefully long afterward. During this time with your partner we would hope that you would assist them with their current English lessons and Basic English conversation skills. Also included in this option is a Tibetan Massage, a Tibetan Cooking Class and 5 individual lessons in basic Tibetan Language. If you are interested in volunteering, you must fill out a volunteer application form. Feel free to contact us for more information about volunteer opportunities and services at contact info.
Home stay: Lha arranges homestay of one month with Tibetan refugee families for individuals or groups. By sharing meals and day to day life with a Tibetan family, your cultural experience will be intensified and if you are interested in the Tibetan language – you will be able to practice your language skills in the home. This homestay program can give you unforgettable insights into ritual, family and life “behind closed doors” in the Tibetan refugee community – and hopefully help you make friends for life. (See more Homestay and register now)
