Summer High School Community Service in The Himalayas (Bhutan)

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What's Included

The API High School Summer Community Service program in Bhutan takes place in the dreamy Himalayan city of Thimphu. This program is a week-long community service program providing students with the opportunity to learn about the Bhutanese concept of Gross National Happiness while exploring and giving back to this culturally-rich community.

What's Included?

Highlights

Pre Departure Services

Orientation Materials and Resources

API Alumni Network

Social Networking

Advising and Support

Scholarship Opportunities

Round-Trip Airfare

On Site Services

Airport Reception

On-Site Orientation

Tutoring

Quality Housing (including meals and laundry)

Medical and Life Insurance

Social and Cultural Activities

Full-Time, On-site Resident Directors/Coordinators

Welcome and Farewell Group Events

Certificate Documenting Community Service Hours

24-Hour On-Site Emergency Assistance

Overnight Excursions and Day Trips

Community Involvement and Volunteer Opportunities

Re-Entry Services

Re-Entry Materials and Support

Post-Program Evaluation

Alumni Network and Global Leadership Academy
View all opportunities and amenities

Application Requirements

  • Must be ages 14-18 (rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors)
  • Completed online application
  • One letter of recommendation (must be from a high school teacher or guidance counselor; can be submitted separately)
  • Most recent grade report
  • Valid passport
Dates & Fees
Session Program Dates Program Cost Application Deadline Payment Deadline
Summer Jun, 2020 - Jun, 2020 $6,875 Apr 1, 2020 Apr 15, 2020

Note: Students can receive $100 for each applicant they refer to an API high school summer program (excluding the Parsons Paris Pre-College program). The applicant must include the student's name as the referral source on the online application.

Excursions

This program includes a series of day trips and cultural activities.

Program Details

What You’ll Study

The API High School Summer Community Service program in Bhutan takes place in the dreamy Himalayan city of Thimphu. This program is a week-long community service program providing students with the opportunity to learn about the Bhutanese concept of Gross National Happiness while exploring and giving back to this culturally-rich community.

Participants will work together with young children from Bhutan, as well as environmental and community beautification or construction projects around Thimphu. The group will engage in several field trips, nature hikes, and an overnight trip as part of the program. They will assist local farmers during their peak vegetable harvesting season, and use freshly harvested produce in a Bhutanese cooking class. They will even tour a monastery, receive a water blessing from monks, and learn how to meditate - it is a truly mindful experience!

SERVICE CERTIFICATE

No academic credit is offered for this program. Upon completion of this program, students will receive a certificate documenting their hours of community service.

Staff & Coordinators

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    Sonam Choden Tshering

    Sonam will be your Resident Coordinator in Thimphu and a resource for you while living in Bhutan with us!

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    Madeleine Lange

    Madeleine Lange will be your Program Coordinator for this location and will prepare you to go abroad with us!

    Email - madeleine.lange@apiabroad.com

Courses

PROGRAM ITINERARY

Day 1

  • Group flight from the U.S. to Delhi, India. Check into Delhi airport hotel as a group.

Day 2

  • MORNING: Group flight Delhi, India, to Thimphu, Bhutan.
  • Check into hotel.
  • Welcome dinner.

Day 3

  • MORNING: Morning walk at Memorial Chorten. Group safety and cultural orientation. Lecture about Gross National Happiness, 
the history of Bhutan and Bhutanese culture by a government official.
  • AFTERNOON: Tour of Buddha Dordenma statue. Tour of Chagri Monastery. Learn about meditation from a Bhutanese monk.

Day 4

  • MORNING: Morning walk at Memorial Chorten. Community service project.
  • AFTERNOON: Tour of Tashichho Dzong. Additional community service projects.

Day 5

  • MORNING: Morning walk at Memorial Chorten. Visit National Institute for Zorig Chusum art school. 
Students take part in an art class and create traditional Bhutanese art.
  • AFTERNOON: Cooking class at ZaSa. Free time in Thimphu.

Day 6

  • MORNING: Morning walk at Memorial Chorten. Bus to Punakha and Dochula Pass.
  • AFTERNOON: Whitewater rafting and tour of Punakha Dzong.

Day 7

  • MORNING: Bus to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. Morning meditation and hike.
  • AFTERNOON: Community service in Punakha.

Day 8

  • MORNING: Bus to Paro. Stop at Dochula pass to hang prayer flags.
  • AFTERNOON: Community service in Paro. Dinner. Free time to shop/explore the town.

Day 9

  • MORNING: Community service project in Paro.
  • AFTERNOON: Hike to Tiger's Nest monastery. Explore Paro and dinner.

Day 10

  • MORNING: Community service project.
  • AFTERNOON: Explore Paro. Bus to Kichu Lhakhang monastery. Dinner. Relax in hot stone baths.

Day 11

  • Return to airport to depart to the U.S.

Day 12

  • Arrive early in the morning.
Highlights
  • Great opportunity to earn service hours over summer break
  • Receive a certificate for hours served
  • Experience the concept of "Gross National Happiness"
  • Get a taste of international life
Housing

Community service participants in Thimphu will live in a centrally-located hotel with the group.