About this Course

In June 2011, seven SNC students and two faculty members will travel with the Truckee, CA-based Bodhi Tree Foundation to deliver pre/postnatal vitamins and medical supplies to the women of Humla, the most remote region of Nepal, deep in the western Himalayas. This trip will be the center of two courses each student will complete; the students will gain traditional academic and real-world knowledge of Service Learning as well as Nepali art and culture. In addition to our service, we will visit many significant cultural and religious monuments for both Buddhists and Hindus. Join us as we prepare for this adventure of a lifetime.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Ten Questions for Deep Thinking About Nepal

As you guys work on your one minute statement about "Why you want to go on this course," here are some questions to consider. Remember that you are writing the statement (which should take 60 whole seconds--don't skimp, use a watch), to generate deep thougt what you hope to get out of the experience. This is not the time for, "Maaaan, I'm just so excited to see the big mountains, it's gonna be great." You don't have to answer each of these questions in your actual statement; they are just supposed to trigger your thought process.

  1. What are you most excited about seeing and/or doing during the course? Describe the place--where is it, what is it, on what day(s) will we be there? Be specific. Why is it your top pick?
  2. What do you think you are going to learn on the trip? How do you think your experience will change you?  Some examples might be: more confidence, language skills, new interests, spirituality.
  3. What kind of impact do you hope to have on the people you will meet?
  4. What kind of skills do you already possess that you will need on the trip? Go big: patience? physical fitness? language skills? art history? business acumen? listening? looking?
  5. What skills are you hoping to gain or improve on the trip?
  6. How do your family and friends feel about your trip? (Don't say, "its wicked cool," be honest--they think I'm crazy to spend the money, they wish they could go, they're reading the blog, whatever.)
  7. Has anyone you know ever done something like this? Who? What?
  8. What do you feel you will learn from going to Nepal that you couldn't learn just by reading about it?
  9. What did you know or learn about Hinduism or Buddhism before this trip came up in your life?
  10. Read something about Nepal. One of the articles in the Dropbox (coming soon) would be a good choice. How does what you've read make you feel? Think deeply about this one. 
This statement is a real assignment-email your drafts to the group so we can all discuss them together at the next group meeting--scheduled for the Sunday at the end of Spring Break, March 20. 
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