Information Overload March 09, 2023
By Shane B (Himalayan Language, RYI) - abroad from 09/01/2023 to 03/01/2023 with
Rangjung Yeshe Institute: Nepal - Center for Buddhist Studies Summer Program
I gained what now appears to be a well ingrained new world view in which I see everything as mind and karma. It was definitely worth it, even though while doing it, it crushed my soul under stress, and forced me to quit year four. You must have knowledge of Tibetan language before going there.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program is advertised as if it’s possible to just walk in with no prior knowledge about the Tibetan language. Because of this, while I was there for four years more than half of the students dropped out by the second year. Some clung on for hope. The students with prior knowledge of Tibetan lasted longer. Do not go to this school without knowing Tibetan first. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Admin. is great. They’re very helpful. Work very hard. And are actually well paid as well. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
There’s almost no comfortable place to live or study in Kathmandu because of air pollution and a 24 hour, never ending stream of noise. |
| * Food: |
The food is good in Nepal. If you’re coming from the West add meat and/or dairy. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There’s no program like this on earth that I’m aware of. You will definitely get a full cultural immersion, but unless you first learn Tibetan, your integration will come to an abrupt end by the second or third semester. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Good health is not possible in Kathmandu because of the thick presence of chemicals in the air. But there are nice places far outside the city to get away. |
| * Safety: |
Kathmandu and Nepal in general may be one of the most peaceful, least criminal countries in the world. Safety is definitely not an issue. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would definitely do this program all over again, but before doing so, I would study Tibetan on my own or in a smaller language school. Diving directly into this program without prior experience in the Tibetan language is impossible. |
Finances
|
* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
There can’t be any complaints about the costs if you’re coming from a Western country. Nepal is inexpensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 300 dollars US |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
If you want to learn Tibetan this is probably the best place for it, but you need to study on your own for at least six months before coming, despite the misleading advertising on their website. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Level three. Third semester completed. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Do not attempt this program before first studying the Tibetan language for at least five or six months on your own. You will lose everything. Remember: this is a business. You will give up your spiritual path in exchange for the education in the beginning. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If I had known that all of the students with prior knowledge of Tibetan would sail through, and all those without it would quit by year two, I would have studied Tibetan before going there. The problem is that they’re afraid this information would turn students away, and since it primarily a capitalist venture, that information is concealed on purpose. I know this because the lady responsible for the website actually told me so. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
