From Brahma to Buddha, Fall 2007

Go! Go forth to India and live! There's nothing that I've done that has been more expanding, more eye-opening, and more exciting all at once. I'd recommend this experience to anyone looking to learn a little about themselves and the world, but more about the vastness of all that there is to be learned, and the pleasure of learning it experientially.
--Julia Bloch, "From Brahma to Buddha" India semester alumna

Whenever I meet a ‘foreigner’, I always have the same feeling: ‘I am meeting another member of the human family.’ This attitude has deepened my affection and respect for all beings. May this natural wish be my small contribution to world peace. I pray for a more friendly, more caring, and more understanding human family on this planet. To all those who dislike suffering, who cherish lasting happiness, this is my heartfelt appeal.
--Tenzin Gyatso, the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet

Exploring a traditional village perched on the Tibetan Plateau. Sipping butter tea around a kitchen fire. Smelling jasmine flowers and curries sold in the bazaar. Listening to horns and bells echo over ancient monastery walls. Watching colorful prayer flags blowing in the wind on top of a Himalayan mountain pass. Throughout this cultural immersion program, we will live and study in the country that gave birth to two of the world’s major religions—Hinduism and Buddhism—and will travel amid some of the most spectacular landscapes on earth. On this journey, we will meet many of the people who keep ancient traditions and spiritual practices alive, including possible audiences with the Dalai Lama and/or the Karmapa. And at the same time we will witness and study the forces of modernization and globalization that are influencing all aspects of traditional ways of life. Though it is impossible to predict the most memorable experience you will have during the Global LAB India semester, those who choose to participate can expect to embark on a journey of discovery that may well last a lifetime.

Continue reading "From Brahma to Buddha Semester Overview: Fall 2007" »

Posted by Global LAB at 06:18 PM | Permalink

2007 India Semester Program Tuition: $8,950

Tuition includes residential pre-trip orientation, preparatory and educational materials; international medical and evacuation insurance; dedicated student website for program communications and resources; all logistical facilitation; all hotels and guest houses; all meals; all domestic air fares/taxis/buses/trains/boats; museum, park and temple entrance fees; Global LAB faculty and instruction as well as local coordinators, cooks, porters; all program elements (independent study projects and apprenticeships, community service projects, home-stays, guest lectures, community support/charitable contributions).

Please note: Additional expenses not covered by Global LAB include r/t international airfare and costs of domestic travel to point of departure (NYC), inoculations; visa/passport processing fees; personal costs (laundry, phone calls/emails, souvenirs, etc.).

Semesters are open to those ages 16-22. While Global LAB semesters are geared toward interim or ‘gap’ year students, high school seniors as well as university students are welcome to apply. No language prerequisite is required.

Global LAB accepts applications on a rolling admissions basis, accepting qualified applicants until programs are full. Each program has a maximum of 14 participants and 3 Global LAB instructors. For this reason, we recommend candidates submit their applications as early as possible.

To begin the application process, print out the preliminary application and FAQ below:
* Application form
* FAQ

Posted by Global LAB at 06:20 PM | Permalink

Please note: the below itinerary is planned months in advance and may change due to group interest, health and safety concerns, or other factors beyond the control of Global Learning Across Borders.

In United States:
Sept 14 - 16: Group orientation at Hudson River Valley retreat center

In India:
Sept 16 - 17: Flight--Newark to Delhi nonstop!

Sept 18 - 19: In country orientation, introductory language lessons, and visits to key cultural and religious sites in Delhi

Continue reading "Fall 2007 Daily Itinerary" »

Posted by Global LAB at 06:24 PM | Permalink

Lugging a heavy pack around for the entire time we are in Asia can be extremely tiresome. We can find almost anything you’ll need in India, and you’ll also want to have room to pick up gifts. Seriously challenge yourself to pack light, and lighter still…you definitely will not regret it! That said, you will not want to leave out any of the cold weather clothing/gear suggestions--our trek in the Himalayas will require appropriate protection against cold weather.

BAGS:
Internal Frame Backpack – Your main “suitcase” should be comfortable, durable, and as light as possible…
Daypack – A book-bag or fanny-pack to use for daily excursions.
Duffel Bag – While you’ll want to be able to fit all of your things in a backpack and daypack, an extra duffel can be handy. This bag should be nylon and relatively durable.
Stuff Sacks – Light-weight and compact, using stuff sacks to separate clothes, food, toiletries, and everything else will bring order to your pack, and make your life simpler.
Ziploc Bags – Like stuff sacks, these can be invaluable for organizing and keeping things organized and dry.

Continue reading "India Semester Packing Suggestions" »

Posted by Global LAB at 06:25 PM | Permalink

Below are some highly recommended books and movies which will help you better prepare for your experiences in India.

History:

John Avedon, In Exile From the Land of Snows, NY: A Knopf, 1984
This excellent book and should almost be required reading! It offers a clear and concise background on Tibetan culture, and details the events surrounding the occupation of Tibet by the Chinese.

Tenzin Gyatso, H. H. the Dalai Lama, My Land and My People NY: Potala, 1983
This is an autobiographical account of the history of modern Tibet, told by His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the XIVth Dalai Lama. We also recommend any other publication by His Holiness such as Ethics for a New Millennium , The Art of Happiness and The World of Tibetan Buddhism.

Mahatma Gandhi, (Louis Fischer, ed.) The Essential Gandhi, Vintage, 1962.

Continue reading "Suggested Reading & Viewing Materials" »

Posted by Global LAB at 06:27 PM | Permalink

Upon receiving your notice of acceptance into the semester program, you will need to apply for your Indian visa. You can download the visa application form here.

However, you should be careful to time your application so that it reaches the consulate no sooner than mid-June because visas are valid for 180 days and count from the day of issue.

Please complete the India Visa Application Form according to the instructions below.

You will need to send your application to the Consulate that handles your state of residence.

If you live in: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virgin Islands, please send your package to:

Consulate General of India, New York
Consular Section
3 East, 64th Street
New York, NY 10021

Continue reading "Visa Application Instructions" »

Posted by Global LAB at 03:10 PM | Permalink

Tsering Kunzes, Kunzes Dolma and Tracy at the SECMOL school in Ladakh, India

Tshangma-la Jullay!
Greetings to all of you!

So, you’ve taken on the exciting responsibility as ambassadors of the youth of the United States; what an important role for you to be playing at a time when global conflict riddles the news media and our hearts. I enthusiastically welcome you to this traveling community where we will create new definitions of “home” and share with each other the invigorating reality of group living.

I chose to work with Global LAB because I believe that engaging in and reflecting upon international experiences becomes a catalyst for personal transformation. This program will help facilitate the process of personal transformation in a safe, organic way, opening our eyes to the lives of people in this radiant country on the other side of the world. We participate in and observe different experiences every day of our lives. The challenge is to be present and aware of these experiences, new and old, as we realize we are already active contributors to the world around us. I feel excited about being a member of this group! Each of us contributes important knowledge, skills, and attitudes, and I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from each of you.

Continue reading "Greetings from Tracy Joosten, Semester Co-Director" »

Posted by Global LAB at 04:04 PM | Permalink

Hi my name is Laura Quintrell and I am a senior at Hathaway Brown School in Cleveland Ohio. Next year I plan on taking a gap year and after India I plan on visiting Italy and New Zealand. As for college, I have absolutely no idea. I have it narrowed down between College of Wooster and Mt Holyoke. So that is going to be a tough decision. I love to travel, I love to volunteer in different countries. It is so much fun and you will learn a whole lot about yourself and the world. At school, I am pretty involved, I have taken part in the World Affairs club, the environmental club, and the literary magazine. Also I volunteer at several locations in the Cleveland Area. In the past those have included East End Neighborhood house, The Salvation Army, and I am currently volunteering at the Cleveland Mueseum of Natural History. So if any of you come to Cleveland you can meet me. The discovery center is a really cool place.

I have this weird habit of speaking Spanish totally randomly. It's kind of fun and it freaks everyone out. But I did go to Paraguay last summer with Amigos de las Americas and it was a blast. So much fun, the best summer ever. But Paraguay is kind of a strange country. Also this summer I am doing Amigos again and I am going to Uruguay for five weeks.

I also love art, basically design and graphic design. I love art History and I could also major in psychology because I may want to counsel middle school children when I grow up. I am really excited to go to India. I just talked to my Spanish teacher who went with my school and she said it was absolutely incredible and a life changing experience. And I look forward to meeting y'all in August.

Laura

Posted by Global LAB at 04:38 PM | Permalink

Hi. I'm Sarah. I'm from Baltimore, Maryland. I go to an arts school here with a concentration in writing. When I'm not in school, I'm either working at a French bakery or searching for the meaning of life. I love wasting time, reading dense European writers, eating Indian food, traveling, and listening to folk music. I have no real idea what I want to do with my life. I do plan to go to some institution of higher learning. I think I may decide to change the world, who knows.

Going to India has always been one of my dreams. I can't wait to swandive into this amazing culture with you guys. It will be absolutely unforgettable. Ciao!

Sarah

Posted by Global LAB at 04:44 PM | Permalink

Hello. My name is Nathan Royal and I come from the icy reaches of Anchorage, Alaska. For as long as I can remember I have had a fascination with Indian culture, music, and art. During the course of this year I have begun to explore the possibilities of traveling to other countries to achieve a better understanding of the world outside of the United States.

Music is my biggest attraction to India. As a musician I see music as one of the highest art forms, and some of the best music in the world is Indian. I listen to Ravi Shankar and Anoushka Shankar on a regular basis and have recently acquired a sitar and have (unsuccessfully) experimented with it.

Never in my life have I traveled outside of the United States and I feel that my view of the world is lacking luster.

This trip will open my eyes!

Nathan

Posted by Global LAB at 04:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Hi, my name is Sean. I'm 17 years old and I'm from Westchester, NY. I enjoy playing sports, hanging out, reading, SCUBA diving, listening to music and having a good time. I'm interested in the program because I've always had a fascination with the East and Eastern culture. Also, I've been abroad to such places as: Italy, Spain, France, and Ecuador. I have learned and seen many amazing things that I could never have gotten out of any textbook. I am hoping to gain a better understanding of the culture and religion that has captivated me for so long. Finally, I am hoping to gain a better understanding of myself and what I want to do with my life before I go to college.

Sean

Posted by Global LAB at 02:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Hey yo,

My name is Ole Stockly and I too hail from the icy reaches of Alaska! I've lived in Anchorage my entire life and have never been out of the country, not even once. For fun, I love going to shows, drinking coffee with friends, singing and playing the guitar, reading, working on vehicles, taking pictures, and other things of a similar nature.

I'd love to say why I'm going on this trip right now, but I think the reasons are far too many to write here, so if you want to know, anything for that matter, just ask me!

Untill we meet..
Ole

Posted by Global LAB at 03:00 PM | Permalink

Hello Students-

Having spent four months with the Brahma to Buddha program in India over the past year or so, I have some recommendations that I wanted to share with you in advance of your journey to India...

These are fairly simple things to do or keep in mind that can really help to make your time in India more enjoyable and make you a more culturally sensitive traveler.

1) Packing hints: Culturally appropriate clothing. What does this mean? When you are packing for this program it is really important that you bring clothes that will be both comfortable and suitable to the locations we are going to.

For female students this means loose fitting shirts that have sleeves at least the length of a usual t-shirt. Shirts that have spaghetti straps, are sleeveless, tight-fitting, or mid-riff baring are not appropriate and can lead to troubles that can almost certainly be avoided by more conservative dress. If you wear pants that have a low-waist line you need to have shirts long enough to cover your mid-riff. If you wear a skirt, it should be at least to your knees.

For male students it is best to have pants and shirts with short sleeves as well. Local men in India almost never wear shorts and if you wear them it will set you apart in a way that is not helpful.

For all students:

It is important that your clothes be clean (no holes, stains, etc.).

Continue reading "Pre-Departure Letter from Michelle" »

Posted by Global LAB at 09:09 PM | Permalink

Hi, I'm Natalie, from Larchmont, New York. I plan to take a year off and after India, go to Japan or South America (my Spanish is rudimentary but I hope to improve!). After that I've decided to go to Bowdoin College in Maine. I've been interested in Eastern cultures for a long time, although I know less about India, which is one of the reasons I want to go there so badly. I pretty much decided that India would be the best place to travel after taking Art History this year, and being absolutely amazed by the India chapters. I've never been somewhere so different from where I come from and I can't wait to go. I'm so excited to get started and travel with you guys!

Natalie

Posted by Global LAB at 03:49 PM | Permalink

Hello, my name is Ali and I am from Cape Elizabeth, Maine. (Natalie, Bowdin is a great school!) I’m taking a year off before college and then planning on attending Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania. After India, I hope to intern at a deaf school or with a deaf service organization. I have been learning American Sign Language for four years and hope to continue in the future. I am extremely excited, nervous, and curious to see what three months in India will bring us all. Currently, I don’t know much about India, which makes traveling there even more exciting. I am intrigued by both Hinduism and Buddhism’s impact on Indian culture.

I can’t wait for September when I will get to meet you all. I’ll see you all then!

Best
Ali

Posted by Global LAB at 12:26 AM | Permalink

Hi everyone,

A quick reminder that your tuition balances are due by July 1st. We'll be sending out an invoice next week. If you have any questions, please give us a call to discuss.

Hope you are getting excited--September--and India--will be here before you know it!

John Eastman

Posted by Global LAB at 01:59 PM | Permalink

Hey! My name is Zach and I'm from New York City. I am going to be attending Whitman College (in Washington State) after my gap year, which seemed far from here at the time but compared to India...not really.

I'm really interested in Indian culture and I also LOVE Indian food, so that helps. I like making jokes and writing in my journal. And I'm sure I'm going to like you all, because how could you possibly not be the coolest people ever if you've made this choice? See you in the fall!

Zach

Posted by Global LAB at 12:15 AM | Permalink

hey guys, my name is kat and i'm from montclair new jersey, i'm currently only 16 but i'm turning 17 in august and i'm graduating high school a year early so i decided that it would be the perfect time to take a year off and do some traveling. India was the most fascinating option of everything that i looked at, and after doing more research on it i've been fascinated by their artwork and can't wait to go and experience their culture first hand. Anyway, i can't wait to meet you all in September and I hope you all enjoy the rest of your summer!

Posted by Global LAB at 03:11 PM | Permalink

Just a reminder, the Fall 07 India group will be departing from Newark airport this time, so be sure to book your connecting flights there to make it easier upon your return home. Contact Sue Lai to book your tickets at sue@aviatravel.com

Michelle Bos-Lun

Posted by Global LAB at 12:29 AM | Permalink

Hello India Students-

As your departure nears, there are some details we need to be sure everyone has taken care of. Please look through this list carefully and if you have not tended to any of these items yet, …do so soon!

1) apply for a tourist visa for India (instructions here)
2) book your air ticket to India (contact Sue Lai at Avia Travel sue@aviatravel.com)
3) get all your final paperwork into us: Drug and Alcohol Policy, Medical History, Counseling Form (for anyone who has seen a counselor/therapist/psychiatrist in the past two years), Insurance Form, and Mutual Waiver. (If you need new copies of any of these forms please contact tracy@global-lab.org and she can re-send to you.
4) In terms of insurance: all students are required to carry emergency medical insurance which includes emergency evacuation coverage. Global LAB offers a customized insurance policy with ACE through GMMI. This policy was created specifically for Global LAB programs and it is available for as little as $1 per day. For the fall this policy will cost $92. If you want the basic plan all you need to do is send a check for $92 to Global LAB’s Woodside, NY address and we can take care of the rest of the paperwork for you. If you wish to upgrade you will need to contact GMMI to discuss the options you want. Contact michelle@global-lab.org for more information about insurance.
5) Get those hiking boots on! If you have new hikers and have not begun to break them in yet, start walking! Blisters are the biggest health problem we encounter on most treks. In addition to being painful they can lead to more serious infections--but you won't get any blisters if you thoroughly break in your boots before you get to India!
6) Also, remember to walk or engage in other forms of exercise now to get in good cardiovascular shape for the trek and for all the walking you’ll be doing all over India. You’ll find the mountains of Ladakh easier to tackle if you are starting out more fit…We recommend at least 20-30 minutes a day of cardio exercise (brisk walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, etc.) as good training.
7) Have you sent your self-introduction and a recent picture of yourself to post on the blog? If not, send ASAP to john@global-lab.org.
8) Have you sent a photocopy of the picture/signature page of your passport to us yet? If not, please make a copy and send to us as soon as possible. (either snail mail to our Woodside address, or email a scanned copy to john@global-lab.org. We need these to book internal air tickets in India which we will want to get started on asap.
9) If you have a peer mentor, have you emailed or spoken to him or her yet? If not, get in touch.. it is really helpful to talk to someone who has recently experienced what you are about to do! (If you don’t have a mentor yet, thanks for your patience and know that we will be matching you soon. Our fall group is much bigger than our spring group so we are having to go back to earlier programs to find enough mentors for all of you!)
10) Start reading and watching films to prepare for your arrival…check out our “recommended reading and viewing list” on the blog. You really should see the films Gandhi and Tibet, Cry of the Snow Lion. If you have not done so yet, make it a priority… there are LOTS of great books to help introduce you to Indian and Tibetan cultures.. if you need help picking one just check in with Tracy or me and we’d be glad to help steer you towards some great reads…

Lastly, for now, be sure to get in the habit of checking this blog regularly from now on, as it is going to be getting more active and it is where we post important program news and updates. It is also where you should steer friends and family who might want to follow your adventures over the fall semester--they are welcome to post comments too.

Good luck with the preparations everyone!

Michelle

Posted by Global LAB at 07:59 PM | Permalink

My name is Tommy Howe and I am 17 years old and from Detroit, MI. I am interested in India because of the major religions and the qualities of the culture that separate it from the western world. This summer I will be living at a Buddhist Retreat Center in Northern Michigan and will be ready for the experience that awaits.

Posted by Global LAB at 06:03 PM | Permalink

Hello everyone! My name is Sam, and I’m from Worcester, MA. I just finished up my second year at Brown University, where I am concentrating in Education Studies. Next year, I am taking some time off from school so that I can experience the world first-hand, rather than study it in a classroom. I have never been off the continent, and am really excited to immerse myself in a culture totally different from the western world.

Whenever possible, I will choose to do an activity instead of watch it. My hobbies include sports, cards, board games, impromptu hippie music jam fests (I am the mouthharpist), trying to bboy/breakdance, adventuring, reading, and learning. I like hearing people tell stories. I love having conversations that force me to think. When trying something new, I know that embarrassing myself in the process is at least half of the fun. Can’t wait to meet you all!

Posted by Global LAB at 08:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Hey everyone. My name is Liam Mahabir I am 18 and a recent graduate of Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester, VT. I first started looking into options for a year off in between high school and college after I had made my final decision to attend the University of Vermont. I began to think that it might be nice to, for the first time in many years, not be a student in the fall. I also wanted to be taken out of my comfort zone to a place that was interesting,
beautiful, and different and India undoubtedly met all of these criterion. My interest in Indian culture/religion, love of Indian food, and partial Indian heritage are just of few of the factors that influenced me to take the plunge and sign up for a Global LAB India semester. Additionally I'm really excited to meet and get to know all of you. Our trip is only a few more short weeks away! See you in September.

Posted by Global LAB at 06:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I’m thrilled at the opportunity to staff the upcoming Global LAB trip to India this fall. It represents for me a chance to shift my teaching focus into the high school and college age range after working most recently with younger students. I am also grateful to have a first hand experience that will address my interests in Eastern cultures and religions.

I focused on Buddhism as an undergraduate, which led me to study abroad in Nepal during my junior year. Those were four of the richest months of my life, and I’m ready to help another group of students have their own meaningful immersion. Today, I continue to find insight and inspiration from the Buddha’s teachings. In addition to nurturing a meditation practice over the past 8 years or so, I have developed a practice of movement and dance, which I teach to all ages. From creative movement to breakdancing, I’m excited about the ways bodily awareness and motion can inform and deepen academic learning or personal experiences. Following this passion, I recently designed a religious studies curriculum that uses kinesthetic learning for my Master of Education thesis. During our three months together, I look forward to adding some embodied experiences to our process of getting to know each other and traveling together.

My personal goal for this trip is to offer positive and supportive mentoring and facilitation to our participants. I’m confident in my life and people skills, and look forward to joining the group in September as we open our eyes and explore our world. I will be working at a mountain camp in Jamaica from July 21 until August 22, after which point I will happily begin making contact with program participants. In the meantime, if you’d like to know more about me you can visit my website at www.dancepath.org

Enjoy these last weeks of summer, and I’ll see you in the fall!

Posted by Global LAB at 07:39 PM | Permalink

In case you missed it, last Sunday's Washington Post ran an article on the growing trend of high school graduates taking gap years and your semester program's very own Zach Duffy was quoted. They even included a link to Zach's blog, which is worth checking out. If anyone else is keeping, or is planning to start, a blog about your gap year and you'd like to share it, just send me an email with the link.

John

Posted by Global LAB at 10:10 PM | Permalink

Jullay Everyone!

I was speaking with Namgial, our coordinator in Ladakh, yesterday and he spoke with excitement that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is visiting Leh, the capital of Ladakh, right now to give teachings. Check out an article about it here.

His Holiness usually visits Ladakh for a month or so each summer to give teachings and audiences. He was not able to visit last summer, so his visit this summer is especially precious. Namgial told me that His Holiness just returned from the Nubra Valley and delivered teachings on the Lam Rim or "stages of the path," teachings of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism.

If all goes as planned, we'll trek into the Nubra Valley in early October and visit the monastery (Diskit Gonpa) where His Holiness gave these teachings. There will be a festival with traditional dancing that we'll attend!

More details to come,

Tracy

Posted by Tracy at 03:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Jullay! Tashi Delek! Namaste!

These three greetings will be sounding off of our tongues and ringing in our ears in just a matter of weeks!

I hope these words find you happy, healthy and filled to the brim with excitement for our rapidly approaching journey together.

First, I commend you for your interest and courage in embarking on this pilgrimage that will undoubtedly be both remarkable and life-altering. I also congratulate and acknowledge each of you for making a conscious choice to join Global LAB and more specifically our group; being an integral part in creating an environment and community through which you will deepen your awareness of the world and of yourself. I am honored and ecstatic to be sharing this next chapter of life with such inspiring individuals and in the arms of an incredible teacher and classroom—India.

Continue reading "Greetings from Erin, Semester Co-Director" »

Posted by Global LAB at 10:06 PM | Permalink

Hey Guys, it's Laura. I just got back from the traveler's clinic to get shots and pills for India. And I wanted to just give one quick shout out! So here it is. Hey Guys! Get psyched! So for the past five weeks I have been living in Uruguay and I have been working on community service projects. I gave youth leadership talks and I built an electric fence for a high school. I had the best time ever! Unfortunately I haven't really gotten to know you guys that well yet. So I figured I would write this entry so that you all could get to know me a little better. I was going through the New Yorker last week and I read this amazing article about the partition and India's independence. And I realized that we are going to a truly amazing country and that we will have an experience that will stay with us forever. And I also realized that there really is not another place like India with the extremes and just the sheer diversity. See you all in three weeks!

Laura
PS Sorry if it seems like I was rambling. And I don't mean to sound cliche but the people that you will meet and the relationships that you will form will last you in good stead for the future. So bring an address book to get names and addresses even e-mails. I still communicate with my host family in Paraguay, and my host family and friends in Uruguay with e-mail and MSN messanger.

Posted by Laura at 09:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Julay!

My name is Rinchen Namgial. I come from Domkar village, which is 118 km west of Leh, Ladakh. I grew up in that village, and received my high school education there. Afterwards I moved to Jammu for higher secondary school and college. I graduated in history, geography, economics and English. Later I went to Jammu University where I studied Buddhist philosophy.

To support my studies I worked as a freelance guide for the local travel agencies in Ladakh. This started my interest in working with people from different countries to help them understand Ladakhi culture.

Since then I have worked as a translator and guide with many different organizations, schools and universities, and with different travel agencies. As a guide, I have been leading treks since 1990 in Ladakh, Zanskar Valler, Changthang, Sikkim, Nepal, and Tibet. In 1996 I started the Yama Adventures travel agency, which is based in Leh, the capital of Ladakh. In addition to Ladakhi, I am able to speak English, German, Tibetan, Hindi, and Nepali.

As a guide/coordinator I have worked with the Smithsonian Institute, Earthwatch, Indian Wildlife Institute, and Agclon College from Switzerland. As a translator, I have worked for students from Oxford, Berkeley, Wisconsin, Oregon, New York, Michigan, Toronto and Ulm University in Germany with their research in Ladakh.

Continue reading "Greetings from Namgial, Ladakh Coordinator" »

Posted by Global LAB at 05:04 PM | Permalink

Hello. My name is Sonam, but you can also call me Peter. I was born on the 10th of March, in 1979, in small village called Changthang Nyoma in Leh, Ladakh to a family of nomads. At a young age, I was sent to the Tibetan Childrens Village School located in the town of Choglamsar, in Ladakh. After the 10th class, I completed two additional years at a school in South India and then completed my college-level courses at Delhi University in the field of Business. In March of 2000, I started to work in the travel business IATO (India Association of Tours Operation) company at New Delhi as a travel coordinator. I stayed with the company for six years.

Last April, I started my own travel business company at New Delhi in the name of SP Travels 24/7. I now work with a dedicated team, which combines the dynamism of youth with the experiences of age, to ensure a memorable tour experience to our clients. This work has allowed me to develop a good relationship with the native people. I look forward to sharing with you the actual lifestyle and culture of the people you will meet.

With regards,

Sonam (Peter)

Posted by Global LAB at 01:49 AM | Permalink

Hello Global LABers-

We look forward to meeting all of you on September 14th to start your pre-travel orientation, which will take place at a beautiful retreat center called the Lifebridge Sanctuary, just outside of Rosendale, NY. There are two options for connecting with your Global LAB group on Sept. 14th:

1) You can meet us in NYC and catch the bus to our retreat site. If you would like to do this we ask that you arrive at the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) at the Adirondack Trailways ticket counter no later than 2pm. The PABT (located one block west of Times Square, occupying the blocks between Eighth and Ninth Avenues, from 40th to 42nd Streets) is the largest and busiest in the United States, so we recommend that you study the terminal's layout ahead of time to avoid confusion. Note: there are two Adirondack Trailways ticket counters within the PABT. We will be meeting at the one located in the North Terminal on the Subway Level. Brad Choyt, a founding director of Global LAB, will be there to meet you (with tickets to Rosendale). If you get to the bus station late (our group will be on a bus departing at 2:40pm) there are later buses which go the same route, but then you will need to get your own ticket and give us a call to let us know when to expect you. (The Rosendale bus station is about 3 miles from the retreat center and we can pick you up if you end up running late).

2) The other option is that you can be dropped off directly at Lifebridge. Directions to the retreat center are available here. Please plan to arrive between 3-4:30pm.

Whichever option you choose, you must let us know ahead of time. Thanks.

Questions? Call or email us and we'll be glad to help.

Posted by Global LAB at 07:10 PM | Permalink

Greetings,

So, I am curious if life finds you in a similar space as myself; attempting to remain present with where I am, while beginning to notice my mind and thoughts drifting towards India and what lays ahead. With just over two weeks before our meeting, you may be starting the process of packing. You have been hearing all of us at Global LAB repeatedly saying to ‘pack light,’ and some of you have expressed an interest in a bit clearer of a picture of what that may look like. Here is an attempt to help you in the process of what needs to be in your pack. Good luck!

Even if you don’t mind carrying your weight, I do recommend packing as light as possible for India! You will want to buy a shirt or two during the course of the program to wear while there, you will be carrying your pack on your own for extended periods of time up and down hills and on packed trains, you will be heaving your bag on top of buses and carrying it up flights of stairs, and you won’t feel as much like a ‘tourist’ with a smaller load. I promise that you will be a happy traveler leaving the States with the philosophy ‘less is more.’

You can either spend days toiling over which shirt to pack and what size bottle of toothpaste you want to bring, or, you can spend a relatively short amount of time and find peace with what ends up on the plane. Don’t overly stress about ‘perfect’ packing and let it just fall into place. Spend these next few weeks making the needed preparations, but also enjoying life, spending time with friends and family, and being present in the moment!

Continue reading "More packing tips" »

Posted by Erin at 06:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Hello everyone,

I hope these words find you well.

As our departure date rolls closer I thought it wise to begin a dialogue around the ‘extras’ that we will be packing with us to India. We do not need twelve copies of the Lonely Planet India Guide, twelve water filters, or twelve guitars, for example. But, a nice, small assortment of books and other items could be nice to share!

Please post comments to this blog entry and let the group know what extras you were thinking of bringing-- if any. ( Books, musical instruments, water filters, games, etc.)

Also, I will be offering yoga classes throughout the program. I would like to know how many of you have yoga mats that you could bring or were already planning on bringing. If you are interested but do not own a mat, I have a few extras and could probably find more. Let me know via comments on the blog if you would like one!

Lastly, we did not mention on the packing list to bring a towel. Bringing a small towel may be nice and get well used.

Be well and see you soon,

Erin

Posted by Erin at 12:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)

Jullay Everyone,

I hope packing is going well and you’re having a great week or so as we all get ready to meet for orientation!

I wanted to let you know about an opportunity that we have connected with our village homestay experience at Domkhar village in Ladakh.

While we are staying in our homestays, we’ll have a chance to visit and talk with students who attend the Domkhar Government High School (equivalent to public school here in the states). These students are studying between first and tenth class (grade) and are excited to share conversation with all of you.

In speaking with their teachers, they have asked us to bring some educational videos for the students, specifically science videos that focus on oceanography, geography, space exploration, and climate change. If you feel so inclined, I welcome you to pick up a video to bring along with us to donate to Domkhar High School’s library. As of last spring, the school had both DVD and VHS capabilities.

Thanks Y’all and see you very soon,

Tracy

Some Suggestions, though anything you find would be great – these can be found on Amazon.com or your local video store
The Blue Planet
Planet Earth
March of the Penguins
Microcosmos
Winged Migration

Posted by Tracy at 05:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Namaste,

I am Amit from Delhi and I've been working with the Brahma to Buddha semester for almost two years now. I love to meet different people, understand the diversity of cultures, and love traveling to new places and exploring new ideas. The last semester groups were wonderful--I learned so many things from them, enjoyed traveling with them, from Holi Festival in my house to each and every day was something new like visiting the blind school, watching Bollywood movies and taking Bollywood dance lessons, etc.

About my qualifications I went to a boarding school which is 175 km from Delhi and I studied there up to grade 10TH and then came back to Delhi, finished my grade 12TH and college from DELHI COLLEGE OF ARTS AND COMMERCE IN HISTORY (HONS).

You are very lucky as you are coming in a very good festival season--almost all the big festivals of India are in the following months, including Diwali, the festival of lights.

So here I sign out and for more information you have to meet me. Wishing you love and luck for the fall semester 07.

Amit

Posted by Global LAB at 08:20 PM | Permalink

Tracy leads the way in a group stretch and shoulder massage

Team India

Namaste,

We've all gathered at Lifebridge for some orientation and bonding. We're in our second day of team building as India fall semester 2007. We fly out tomorrow and are anticipating the start of our journey. Today some of us walked in the woods through mist and sunbeams. We have also enjoyed wonderful dancing and jam sessions. The food has been pretty good with a vegan option, which is nice.

The people we've all been meeting are neat.Through this orientation we are forming strong group bonds. Surely with time we'll all get to know each other a lot better.

We're getting used to drinking tea instead of coffee.

Each day brings new wonders.

We now wish to inform the public that part of our team building consists of taking turns contributing single sentences to this entry and now we will continue with Tracy.

We hope this entry piques your interest and knowing this is just the beginning will come visit us on the blog many times leaving us comments and thoughts of love.

From the breezy, beautiful, misty hills, Namaste,

Team India (our very generic name for now)

Posted by Global LAB at 07:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Erin called from Delhi to let us know that Team India has landed! They (and their bags) arrived right on time, were greeted by Peter Sonam (who bedecked everyone with white silk Tibetan scarves), and settled into their hotel for some rest before a big day exploring the sights of Delhi.

Stay tuned for much more to come.

John E.

Posted by Global LAB at 12:35 AM | Permalink

Namaste,

Sab kutch tik hai! (Everything is great) as we prepare for our early morning flight over the Himalaya to Ladakh. The last two days taking around Delhi have been filled with new sights, sounds, tastes, smells and gallons of chai and water.

The group has been getting to know each others' habits and quirks as we have navigated our way through bustling markets and holy sites in the Hindu, Muslim and Sikh traditions. Harrison led a lively discussion about religion and spirituality that is serving to ground our interactions in these vibrant communities in our own personal experiences. We look forward to more dialogue and getting to know each other slowly, slowly. Our bodies were fed by yoga and meditation this morning; we are slowly accepting the different pace of life that has greeted us since Peter's welcoming at the airport.

We will arrive in Leh sporting new traditional Indian clothing with full bellies from a great North Indian feast at Amit's favorite restaurant in Delhi.

We are looking forward to some cooler weather, Namgial's hospitality, the depth of the Buddhist tradition and more chai.

More to come....

T, H, E

Posted by Erin at 08:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Hello India students and leaders,

To those of you with whom I have never exchanged e-mails or spoken, my name is Aaron and I work as an administrative assistant for Global LAB. I will be doing much of the management for this blog, as well as for the Morocco group's. Given that your incredible program is just beginning, and that I will have a role in it from afar, it seemed proper for me to give you all a formal introduction.

I live in Washington, D.C., and have been working for Global LAB in various capacities since last April. Most notably, (and enjoyably!) I was the blogger and an assistant leader for Global LAB's June 2007 C.E.S.A.R. program in Mexico (the blog with that trip's experience is still up-check it out sometime!) My e-mail address is aaron@global-lab.org, and please feel free to write me any updates you want to be put on the blog, or any pictures you want directly on the blog, outside the flickr application. I will be checking my e-mail twice daily for updates from you all (in the early morning and the evening,) and will post anything I receive immediately.

I truly look forward to following and assisting your experience for the next several months. I understand how difficult it can be to manage a blog or use the internet while 'in the field' and I am here to alleviate that problem as much as is humanly possible!

All the best to a great experience for each and every one of you!
Your blog assistant,
Aaron

Posted by Aaron Bos-Lun at 05:03 AM | Permalink

When I woke up with the sun shining on my face, i new it would be a good day. Shortly after waking up there was a glorious wake up jam session, followed by a breakfast of butter tea and banana porage. After breakfast we all went to old Ley and had quite possibly the most beautiful morning ever. While sitting on the roof of a buddhist home from the 17th century drinking coffee, we listened to Namingale tell us about Ley and Buddhist history. To my back there was a Muslim mosk, in front of me there was an abondoned palace that was evacuated in the 18th century, above that on the side of a mounatain was a Buddhist temple, and all around us bordering the roof top prayer flags hung in the wind, effortlessly dancing. I can't imagine a more serene place to be!

I love you and miss you dearly mom,

Mr. Paulson, I'm taking tons of pcitures, you'd be proud

Everyone else.. I'l see you soon!

Warmest regards from the bottom of my heart,
Ole

Posted by Ole at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Hey everyone. I am sitting here in an internet cafe in Leh trying to put my thoughts together for al of you. The trip so far has been amazing. It would take me days to fully explain everything I have seen and expierenced. It feels like we have been for months when we have only been here for less than a week. The group has really come together and we are all friends. I couldn't think of a better group of people to be traveling with. We will be departing tomorrow for the small village of domkhor for our first homestays. I am really looking forward to this and i will be sure to write about my expierences when I get a chance.

-Sean

Posted by Sean at 11:37 AM | Permalink |