Mountains, momos, monks, and more! January 25, 2026
By A student (Geosciences, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/01/2025 to 12/11/2025 with
The School for Field Studies / SFS: Bhutan - Bhutan - Himalayan Studies
I learned that there are so many ways to live. I learned about intricacies of this place that is so sensationalized in western media. My months in Bhutan helped me really feel the interconnectedness of people. Be the stupa!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Some classes felt less well-designed and taught in a less compelling way, but I really valued my political ecology class and all the field visits we had as part of the class on land use and natural resource conservation. Professors were super dedicated, knowledgeable, well-connected and funny! I really loved the research component of the program. This was my most meaningful academic experience of the semester. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
As a cohort-based program, I spent the majority of my time with other Americans. However, we often had free time to go to town and be more active members of our host community. All our professors and most of the program staff were Bhutanese. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Healthcare in Bhutan is completely free, and this was really amazing to experience. The reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is that I felt the Health & Wellness Manager sometimes dismissed student concerns and allowed access to medical care unevenly. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | very little, the program provided food and going out to eat was very cheap for a dollar-paying tourist/student |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | Beginner |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Talk to people in town!! Ask professors and program staff questions! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you are someone who needs some alone time in your life, be ready to be overwhelmed by the amount of activities and people time sometimes. Carve out time for yourself when you have the opportunity, but don't forget that you are only here in this place and with these people for a few short months. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
