Semester Itinerary
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 LAB.
In United States:
Sept 11 - 13: Group orientation at Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center
In India:
Sept 13 - 14: Flight: Newark to Delhi
Sept 15 - 16: In country orientation, introductory language lessons, and visits to key cultural and religious sites in Delhi
Sept 17 - 20: Arrival in Leh and introduction to Ladakh; Ladakhi language lessons and walking tours of Leh Old Town and Shanti Stupa; day excursions to Thiksay Gonpa and an audience with the Sabu Oracle; guest speakers to include local political figures, intellectuals, religious leaders from both Buddhist and Muslim communities, and youth activists
Sept 21 - 26: Homestays and service work in Domkhar village. Excursions to Alchi and Likir Monasteries. Possible visit to SECMOL.
Sept 27 – Oct 4: Trek in the spectacular Himalaya.
Oct 5 - 6: Return to Leh. Visits to Tsemo Gonpa and Leh Palace.
Oct 7: Delhi. Activities: Visit to Naz Foundation; Bollywood cinema; Nizammudin Sufi Shrine
Oct 8 - 9: Travel to Agra. Visit the incomparable Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Keoladeo National Park, Agra Fort
Oct 10 – 31: Travel to Jaipur, Rajasthan. Jaipur homestays, ISPs, language study, and possible desert excursions to Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Udaipur. Possible village excursion to Chomu and service work with Vidya Gram International School. Guest speaker series on Non Violence, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism with possible audience with Jain monks and nuns.
Nov 1 - 3: Travel to Delhi. Train to Amritsar, site of the Sikh pilgrimage center the Golden Temple, experience nightly ritual flag-lowering ceremony at the Wagah Border, Jallianwalabagh
Nov 4 – Dec 5: Travel to Dharamsala. Orientation to the Tibetan exile culture. Homestays in McLeod Ganj, Independent Study Projects, Tibetan language lessons, and riveting guest speaker series focused on the experiences of Tibetans living in exile in India. Possible audience with His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa. Introduction to Buddhism retreat at Tushita Meditation Centre
Dec 6 – 10: Student-led portion: Example are Rishikesh or Varanasi (to be determined by students)
Dec 11 - 12: Return to Delhi
Dec 13: Flight to USA