– Tenzin Yangphel
Summer School/camp is considered one of the best places for students to learn new things, build confidence, develop life skills and gain new experiences. Luckily this summer, I had the opportunity to be part of the International Summer School (ISS) 2018 programme in New Delhi as one of EVISION’s two candidates. Held at Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi from 24th June to 3rd July 2018, about 34 students from 19 different countries (we represented Tibet) participated.
ISS is an annual programme under the banner of the Government acclaimed “Incredible India campaign aimed to promote International goodwill and cross-cultural dialogue amongst promising young individuals, developing their potential as future leaders in government, business and civil society. The six-week program is divided into two components: A four-week academic session and the other two-week (optional) being volunteer and service learning experience primarily held outside Delhi/NCR.
I and my friend Tenzin Soepa had the opportunity to participate as ENVISION candidates in this prestigious International summer school representing our country “TIBET” during our summer break. It was such a privilege to share the platform with students of different nationalities and backgrounds, sharing and learning from each other’s culture, religion, education and general worldview. During one of the sessions led by participating students, we made a presentation on TIBET – its history, people, the culture, and the exile movement – to our fellow participants. It was delightful for us to be able to educate them about the just movement and the preservation of our identity in exile/diaspora.
Through the seminars, we had the unique opportunity to engage with eminent speakers on a wide range of topics and issues. We had the honour to meet and learn from Supreme Court Judge Hon’ble Mr. Madan Lokur; MP Mr. Shashi Tharoor; India’s first Information Commissioner Mr Wajahat Habibullah; and Senior Journalist Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai, amongst few others. In addition to the seminars, we also had the opportunity to visit various educational and diplomatic offices to develop a deeper understanding of the discussion we had during the seminars. Tourism and culture were an integral part of the programme. We had the opportunity to visit the historical and cultural landmarks in and around Delhi- along with excursion to Taj Mahal and Jaipur.
I had the most enriching learning experience in the short span – meeting new people, learning new cultures, listening to the eminent speakers, visiting various educational institutes of repute and historical places. ISS provided us with a platform to learn from and to build bridges with one another, to understand and be understood with the diversity of our world and our humanity.
Grateful to ENVISION for enabling this and giving me the best summer experience, the innumerable learning and above all the confidence to represent Tibet and my identity, emphatically and well.
