The cultural exchange program involves each visiting student pairing off with a ‘Mutual Learning Partner’ – a Tibetan English language student at Lha. Most of the students are not fluent in English but they are all very enthusiastic about learning and sharing their knowledge with others. They can share stories about their lives and experiences. Most of the students are between the ages of 20 and 40. Visiting students get to visit the homes of their new friends, meet members of their family, and make friends in the Tibetan refugee community.

Lha can arrange lectures from well known professionals in the evenings on particular topics like the political situation of Tibet, social status of Tibetans in Tibet and of Tibetans in exile, Tibetan medicine, and Tibetan Buddhism and culture.

Lha also offers classes on Tibetan language, Tibetan cooking, Tibetan arts, yoga, and massage treatment to visitors and group students. Exchange groups, or individuals within the group, can arrange lessons based on their interests.

Lha can also arrange on small local projects for the cultural exchange students to participate in. Our community can benefit from projects such as environmental clean-up and awareness initiatives, health workshops, working in the community soup kitchen and assisting the local elderly. Longer term projects may include facilitating Lha’s Dental Program or Eye Care Program. We can also work with many other local organizations to create projects that coincide with the exchange programs’ themes and needs.

For exchange groups staying at Lha’s Ahimsa House, we can provide meals, including breakfast and dinner. Meals will be served buffet-style, with five to seven different dishes offered, including vegetarian and non-vegetarian options and dessert. We serve a variety of different foods, including traditional Tibetan food, so students can experience the delicious Tibetan cuisine.

Another option is for exchange groups to participate in the ‘Home Stay’ program. The Home Stay program gives exchange students the unique opportunity to live with a Tibetan family in the community, and experience the culture, traditions and lifestyle of Tibetans in exile. Students eat meals and participate in the daily life of their host family. Applicants should be aware that the living standards of the local Tibetan community may be lower than those they are used to.

Upon your arrival in India, Lha can pick up your group at the Delhi airport and arrange comfortable and safe accommodation during your stay in Delhi. if you would prefer to arrange your own accommodation we can assist with recommendations if requested. Lha will arrange local tours to places like Norbulingka, Gyoto monastery, Tibetan Children’s Village School, the Tibetan museum, Tsuglakhang temple, the Tibetan library, the Central Tibetan Administration, and Men Tse Khang Tibetan Medical Institute to help students learn more about Tibetan culture and life in exile.

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