Greetings from Tracy, Semester Co-Director
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.
My experiential learning journey has guided me through lands as close as New York City and as far as Nundakhi, Nepal. Each step of the way, I’ve encountered much wisdom and inspiration from the souls I am blessed with the opportunity to meet. While studying Soil Science, Environmental Conservation, and Music at the University of New Hampshire, I found myself in the Himal of Nepal with the School for International Training’s (SIT) Culture and Development program. Inquiry about the People’s Movement and the Maoist Insurgency led me back to SIT in Brattleboro, Vermont to work on a master’s degree in Conflict Transformation. I've lived in Ladakh for 4 months at the Students Environmental and Cultural Movement of Ladakh campus teaching U.S. high schoolers with the Vermont Intercultural Semester program. It is rare to find me far away from a guitar, stimulating conversation, or the throws of laughter.
I have great respect and admiration for your valiant motion to be a part of this adventure that will challenge your very being. Courage and conviction of this sort is not to be taken lightly. As you’ll find in the coming months, you will be asked by the cultures we are invited to visit to be honest, caring, thoughtful, and passionate about many pieces of your lives in the U.S. and your experiences in India. I feel honored to be a witness to and a guide on your process of heart and mind expansion.
I am currently directing the fall India semester program, but look forward to your communications in the coming weeks and months with questions, thoughts, concerns, funny jokes, and witty banter....Fell free to email me at: Tracy@global-lab.org
See you soon,
Tracy