Himalayan Health Exchange (HHE) is organizing an field expedition to India in the summer of 2009. Through guided study/fieldwork in a remote Himalayan Tibetan Borderland, HHE will offer students a practical approach to the study of India and the Himalayan culture in a socio-cultural, medical and religious context. During their journey, team members will have the opportunity to investigate local history, religious beliefs and practices, modern human adaptations, regional effects of globalization, monastic influence and local healthcare. In addition, through trekking and camping in remote areas, they will participate in the interconnectedness of the magnificent natural environment with a daily local existence. Field experience will be augmented by daily academic lectures and research assistance.
Subject areas will include: Anthropology (Cultural, Medical, Economic and Visual), Religious Studies, Pre-Medical, Public Health, Psychology, Art/Fine Arts, Geography, Philosophy, Social Work and Sociology, Yoga and Meditation.
Note:
This is a high-altitude expedition in rugged Trans-Himalayan regions. Field camp elevations range between 8,000-15,000 feet, with higher pass crossings. As a participant, you must be in excellent physical shape and health and be willing to work in improvised field sites.
Locations: Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh: June 10- July 4, 2009
The first part of this expedition takes us to India’s highest, least populated, and most inaccessible area, Ladakh and the Chang Thang Plateau, located in the Western Himalayan Indo-Tibetan Borderlands. Our exciting journey through this remote part of the world provides an in-depth look at the local culture, Buddhist religion and social structure of Western Himalayan families and nomadic Tibetan tribes. After exploring Ladakh and the Chang Thang plateau, team members will travel to Dharamsala, home to the Dalai Lama and exile Tibetan community. We will also visit many Hindu temples in northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, including important pilgrimage sites.
Expedition fee: Each all-inclusive trip is US $2,740 plus international airfare and New Delhi-Leh flight ($450)
Application deadline: February 1, 2009: **Please be advised that space is limited
University credit is available through Northern Arizona University.
Cost of earning credit through NAU will be determined before the end of Fall 08 semester.
Program Coordinators:
Professor Paul Donnelly
Ravi Singh, founder of Himalayan Health Exchange
For details, please contact:
www.himalayanhealth.com
info@himalayanhealth.com
