Download a PDF of the 2013 Interim Semester Handbook.

Trekking in Tibetan India ( Dharamshala )EA06IndiaECO ADVENTURESponsorLauren MurphyAdam AshtonPriceS$3,600Course Length9 nightsAdditional CostCost of visa, coldweather and hiking gearPost-InterimExperience:Parent’s nightCourse Difficulty:Rigorous Adventure,Physical fitness isrequiredDescriptionLooking for a cultural adventure with a challenging physical component?Then Trekking in Tibetan India is for you! When else are you going to do it?This course combines a rich cultural tour with a physically challenging 4 to 5day trek where you can expect to hike 4 to 7 hours per day. The trek is set ina remote and largely unexplored area of the breathtaking Himalayas in theDhauladhar region of northern India.We start our journey sightseeing one day in Delhi before heading toDharamshala -- the principal township of Kangra district home to the Tibetanleader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, since 1959. Nestled in the foothills ofthe Himalayas, it is a spectacular setting with a thriving Tibetan community,combined with a touch of the old Colonial British Raj. It is full of life yet thetranquility of Buddhist culture prevails.From Dharamshala, we trek for 4 to 5 days through rhododendron forest,over ridges, along terraced valleys and through ethnic villages where we’llvisit temples, churches and monasteries. We will climb to an altitude above3,000 meters (9,842 feet) and camp under the stars in the shadow of thesnow-covered peaks of the Himalayas. From Delhi to Dharamshala, we willtravel by plane and bus. Returning to Delhi, we will travel on one of thefamous Indian overnight trains.Note: Due to the physical demands of this experience, students in poor physicalcondition, or those who suffer from asthma, a heart condition, or altitude sickness,should consult their physician and/or consider other less demanding courses.Objectives• To gain a deeper understanding of the history and culture of Tibetans, aswell as Tibetan Buddhism.• To explore Tibetan culture and conflicts through political, economic,social and religious lenses.• To predict, participate and then reflect on the connections andcontradictions between students’ spiritual and physical journey in theHimalayan mountains.RequirementsPre-Course requirements:• Physical: Two 3-hour weekend treks through the Bukit Timah NatureReserve.• Academic: Each participant will research, prepare and presentPowerPoint slides. The PowerPoint will cover one facet of the history,philosophy, culture, sociology, or geography of Tibetan India.• Meetings: Each participant will attend all pre- and post-course meetingsPost-Course requirements:• Each participant will prepare a reflection of their experiences andthoughts, recorded during the course. The reflection can be in the formof an essay, an excerpt from a diary, a poem, a photo-journal, a video, ora song.• Each participant will revise the PowerPoint slides created prior to thecourse. The revised version will include new learning from the course.This slide will be presented at Parent’s night.SINGAPORE AMERICAN SCHOOL interim semester HANDBOOK 17