Description

Life in the Clouds
Nestled in the foothills of the highest mountain range in the world and home to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Mcleod Ganj is a peaceful community of Tibetans, Indians, and service-oriented individuals. The animation of street vendors, laughter of school children, and peaceful nature of Buddhist monks and nuns combine to create a cloud of positive energy that radiates throughout this magical town. Every day in Mcleod Ganj is a new adventure full of hidden treasures and subtle splendors.

You will spend the first half of the program based here in the Dalai Lama's Indian refuge. Teach English and basic computer skills that will help Tibetan refugees secure meaningful employment in the future. You may also volunteer at the local school, organize a cleanup along the beautiful Bhagsu River, or help construct a building that will benefit the community.

Service Alongside Tibetan Friends
During the second half of the program, you will settle into the rural village of Tashi Jong, a community of Tibetan artisans and Buddhist monks that is tucked into the Himalayan foothills about an hour from Mcleod Ganj. Here you will cultivate vegetables alongside community members in the village's terraced fields, play soccer with the younger monks, and listen to village elders as they tell incredible and inspiring stories of walking over the mighty Himalayas to leave Tibet. Every year we create new service projects to positively impact the community. In previous years we have helped renovate the community prayer hall, built a playground for local children, and developed a tree plantation just outside the village.

High in the Himalayas
Service in the Clouds is more than just community service. You will immerse yourself in the local culture as you learn traditional handicrafts, yoga, Indian and Tibetan cooking, Buddhist meditation, and classical music. You will also be carefully matched with another student and placed in a traditional Tibetan home for a first-hand look at life in this intriguing corner of the world. In the evenings, enjoy private audiences with high-ranking Tibetan lamas, government officials, and pillars of the community.

Welcome to the Roof of the World!
If you really want to dig into the local culture and make a difference in the community, consider extending your program and staying for four weeks. If you would like to see other parts of the country, consider continuing your community service efforts on the Lost Children of India program or on the North Indian Cultural Experience. This program also connects seamlessly with our programs in Southeast Asia and China.

Highlights

LIVE with warm-hearted Tibetan families, learn their traditional customs, and develop strong friendships that will last a lifetime.

TEACH English to excited Tibetan teenagers, Buddhist monks, and wise elders in two villages nestled beneath the Himalayas.

HELP paint schools, tutor lovable kindergarten children, and organize environmental cleanup projects in your host villages.

FEEL the radiating good will and positive energy of the Dalai Lama, who lives in mystical McLeod Ganj.

ADMIRE colorful prayer flags spread from rooftop to rooftop and twirling prayer wheels spun by many hopeful hands.

LEARN traditional crafts and skills from native artisans and experts and bask in the stunning beauty of the mighty Himalayas.

Qualifications

Students must be 15-years old and up to participate on the program. Additionally, participants must submit an application through the Rustic Pathways website and complete the appropriate documents before traveling on the program.

Type of Programs

• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Cultural Exploration

Languages

• English
• Hindi
• Tibetan

Cost in US$:

USD 2,495

Cost Includes:

• Travel while in host country
• Housing
• Food
• Excursions
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Written materials pre-departure
• Written materials abroad

Program Fees Include:

The above cost includes all ground transportation in-country, 3 meals a day, housing, staff through the duration of the program, all supplies for the volunteer projects and all excursions on the program itinerary not listed as optional.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 business days

Rustic Pathways's Mission Statement

Rustic Pathways is a pioneer in providing superior quality travel and service programs for students and families in some of the world's most welcoming countries. Rustic Pathways demands professionalism and integrity across all of its operations, insists on quality in all aspects of its programs, and places the safety of its students above all other considerations. We enrich the lives of our students and our staff, benefit the parts of the world we serve, and build cultural bridges that lead to greater global understanding and cooperation.

Year Founded

1983