Dwight School in India, Summer 2011

Day 3: Monday, June 6th - Delhi

We will begin this morning with a health and safety talk as well as an introduction to India brief. We'll discuss tools for culture shock, how to be a sensitive cross-culturalist, and learn some Hindi language basics. Then, we'll tour important religious sites in Old and New Delhi including the breathtaking Mughal architecture of India's largest mosque, The Jama Masjid, and Shah Jahan's Red Fort. After our first rickshaw ride we will have lunch and then visit the Gandhi Museum (if open). We will end our day with a trip to purchase some local clothes to wear throughout the program.

Overnight: Hotel in Delhi

Day 4: Tuesday, June 7th - Delhi to McLeod Ganj

We'll get an early start today as we head off to Dharamsala. Observe the sights as we spent the day driving to up to the foothills on the Himalayas. Breakfast and Lunch will be taken en route. If time permits, there will also be the opportunity to visit a Punjab village on our way to Dharamsala. We will have dinner upon arrival in McLeod Ganj.

Overnight: Hotel in McLeod Ganj

Day 5: Wednesday, June 8th - McLeod Ganj

Start the morning off with a speaker who will give us an introductory talk on Tibet. Then we will visit the Tibet Museum where a riveting photographic account of the history of Tibet is a permanent installation. Local contemporary artists are also featured offering commentary on the experience of young Tibetans born in India and who have escaped over the Himalaya. After we will explore His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's Namgyal Monastery to observe and experience Tibetan Buddhism in practice. After lunch we will participate in Conversational English class for Tibetan Refugee living in exile run by the organization L.I.T.

Tonight begins the student homestay experience. Before meeting the families, the group will have a Homestay Orientation with the group leaders and teachers in order to prepare for this experience. Then, over tea, families and students will be introduced and matched. Students will enjoy a unique opportunity to connect with local Tibetan families to understand more deeply the lifestyles of Tibetan refugees living in McLeod Ganj.

Overnight: Homestay Families
(Dinner and breakfast will be taken with the homestay families during the homestays.)

Day 6: Thursday, June 9th - McLeod Ganj

After breakfast, we will have a morning meeting to discuss the first night homestay experience and then we will attend a basic Tibetan language lesson to assist us in communicating with our homestay families of Tibetan refugees. Then we will take an Indian or Tibetan cooking class and make our own lunch! In the afternoon, we will head over to Tibetan Children's Village (TCV), to learn about the Tibetan school system in exile. We will meet with the Director, visit the orphanage, and possibly have the opportunity to play basketball with the students. After lunch we will go back to L.I.T for another day of Conversational English. Before heading back to our homestays, we will have the opportunity to meet with a speaker who will tell us a little more about Tibet.

Overnight: Homestay Families

Day 7: Friday, June 10th - McLeod Ganj

In the morning we will visit the Tibetan Parliament in exile and learn about how the government operates from Dharamsala. Afterwards, we will spend some time exploring the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. Then we will visit the Tibetan Medical & Astrology Institute and learn about the Tibetan system of medicine, astronomy and astrology. After lunch we will go back to L.I.T for another day of Conversational English. Before heading back to our homestays, we will have the opportunity to meet with a speaker who will tell us a little more about Tibet.

Overnight: Homestay Families

Day 8: Saturday, June 11th - McLeod Ganj

In the morning and afternoon, students will be able to choose an activity that they would like to learn more about and practice more in-depth. Activity options include: Cooking (Indian and Tibetan), Buddhism, Tibetan or Hindi Language, Woodcarving, Tabla, Thangka Painting, Tibetan Medicine, etc. This day will also include a powerful speaker.

Overnight: Homestay Families

Day 9: Sunday, June 12th - McLeod Ganj

Enjoy the morning with your homestay family and meet the group in the afternoon for a leisurely hike to the Bagsu waterfall. After lunch in Bagsu, we will visit a Hindu temple nearby. We will also have some free time for individual exploration, shopping, or guided visits to monasteries of different Tibetan traditions and other sites of interest.

Overnight: Homestay Families

Day 10: Monday, June 13th - McLeod Ganj

Rising early, we'll take a day trip to the Norbulinka Institute where talented students of Thangka painting, wood and metal working, and textiles create stunning works of religious art for monasteries and practitioners all over the world. If our karma is ripe to do so, a visit to Gyuto Tantric Monastery will bring us a possible audience with His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, head lama of the Kagyud tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. We will also visit Doma Ling Nunnery and learn about the Tibetan Nuns Project.

We will also spend some reflecting time to process our homestay experiences and what we've taken in during the past few days. In the evening, we will say thank you to our homestay families with a special farewell dinner.

Overnight: Homestay Families

Day 11: Tuesday, June 14th - McLeod Ganj to Delhi

We will spend the day traveling back to Delhi. Breakfast and lunch will be en route. We will have dinner near the hotel and an early night to rest up for the next day's travel to Agra.

Overnight: Guesthouse in Delhi

Day 12: Wednesday, June 15th - Delhi to Agra

Catching an early morning train to Agra, we first visit the world renowned Taj Mahal, the finest example of Mughal architecture built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a tribute to the love of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Then we will view the fantastic Agra Fort, home of Mughal Emperors who passed down from ruler to ruler, situated on the Yamuna River two kilometers from the famous Taj Mahal. Agra Fort is a World Heritage Site. After lunch we will learn about how the Taj Mahal's gems were embedded into the marble by visiting a marble factory that still practices this craft. Spend the evening getting henna, swimming in the pool, and debriefing our experience in India.

Overnight: Hotel in Agra

Day 13: Thursday, June 16th - Delhi to Agra

After breakfast, we'll take an excursion to visit nearby Fatehpur Sikri, another World Heritage Site. This now deserted city was built in the 16th Century by Emperor Akbar to house his court. After 14 years of construction, followed by 14 years of habitation, Akbar and his wives, each of a different religious tradition, used up the water aquifer and moved along. The city features inspiring Islamic architecture with Hindu and Jain influences. Travel back to Delhi. We will return in time for dinner.

Overnight: Guesthouse in Delhi

Day 14: Friday June 17th - Agra/Delhi

In the morning, we will spend some time reflecting on our time in India. Then, we will head off to Jan Path for some last minute shopping at a local market.

Our last lunch in India will be thali at a delicious local restaurant nearby. Then, we will head back to the hotel to gather our luggage and go to the airport for an evening flight back to the USA. Please note: Arrival in the USA the following day.

Day 15: Saturday, June 18th - USA

Early morning arrival back in the USA

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