Bhutan: Happiness in the Himalayas (10-Day Experience)

In a country where the phrase "gross national happiness" appears on a list of key development metrics, Bhutan encourages us to ask what we can learn about notions of "happiness" as contributors to our own quality of life. Our journey into the Himalayan region gives us rare access to the sacredness of the vast and wild landscapes, challenging us to reevaluate commonly held notions of our role in the natural world. Since the arrival of television in 1999 and a cascade of global influences, Bhutan has experienced a steady increase in foreign tourism, which contradicts long-held traditions. How can we understand the pressures and adaptations of Bhutanese culture in the face of a globalizing world? In our questioning and exploration of Bhutan in this summer abroad program, we hope to understand better the worldviews and assumptions that shape our lives and happiness back home.