SFS BHUTAN: HIMALAYAN ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY IN TRANSITION
(SEMESTER)
PROGRAM DETAILS
Terms | Fall, Spring
Credits | 18 semester-hour credits
Prerequisites | One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science | 2.7 GPA | 18 years of age
Application Deadline | Fall: May 1st. Spring: November 1st. Early applications encouraged!
OVERVIEW
Venture to a mountain kingdom where change is on the horizon. Few foreigners have ever set foot in Bhutan’s small villages and stunning Buddhist monasteries, and the country did not open its borders to tourism until 1974.
Based in Paro, you’ll explore the challenges of protecting biodiversity and maintaining traditional rural lifestyles in this time of transition. Study conservation and environmental issues firsthand against a backdrop of vibrant culture and Buddhist philosophy.
Learn more about the famed principles of Gross National Happiness, gain an in-depth knowledge of local ecosystems, and wrap up the semester with an extensive field research project. Students meet our staff in Bangkok two days before the program starts to explore the city and ensure they travel to Bhutan on the same flight.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
→ Embark on a multi-day cultural trek through remote villages and high mountain passes to experience the natural beauty of Bhutan’s countryside and the traditional lifestyles of its people.
→ Visit monasteries, such as the famed Tiger’s Nest, and participate in unforgettable tsechus (festivals) to learn more about Buddhism.
→ Explore Bhutan’s diverse range of biomes through trips to Himalayan ridges, the subtropical Punakha and Chukha Valleys, and the alpine meadows of Phobjikha.
→ Debate and reflect on the complex and philosophical intersections of nature, development, livelihoods, religion, and happiness.
→ Complete a field research project: develop a question, collect data, analyze findings, write a paper, and present your work.
LOCATION
SFS students live and study at the Center for Himalayan Environment and Development Studies. The Center is located at one end of the stunning Paro Valley, at the base of a towering ridgeline dotted with Buddhist monasteries. The campus is a small cluster of buildings designed in the traditional Bhutanese architecture. A pleasant 15-minute walk brings you to Paro Town's markets, shops, and cultural events.
RESEARCH THEMES
- Mountain and Forest Ecology and Conservation
- Climate change
- Geology and Hydrology of Mountain Regions
- Environmental Governance
- Gross National Happiness and Influence of Buddhist Philosophy on Conservation
- Forest and Natural Resource Management
- Urban Migration and Development
- Agriculture and Food Security
CORE SKILLS
- GIS and Mapping
- Species Identification and Distribution Mapping
- Forest and Biodiversity Surveys
- Camera Trapping and Mist-Netting
- Protected Areas Assessment
- Research Design and Implementation
- Data Collection and Analysis
- Research Presentation
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
CONNECT WITH SFS
![]()
![]()
![]()
