Lha cultural exchange program evaluation report 2014

I have realized that I lead a very privileged life. Also, I no longer think of minority groups in an “us and them” context but rather a “we” context. We’re all humans, but they are treated unjustly and that’s why we label them “minority.” It’s not right.

I have become more aware of how even when a group of people are fighting for their rights it doesn’t mean they are always heard or that people care enough to do anything about it. Sometimes it is easier for people to ignore the problem than to fix it.

As a result of the visit, I am able to appreciate the things in my life, and when I feel stressed or overwhelmed or something doesn’t go exactly as planned I am able to realize that my struggles could be significantly worse and I need to remember to be thankful for what I have. Especially after meeting everyone in the program and how positive they are about their lives despite being forced out of their homes.

In some cases, visiting students became much more aware of and grateful for the lives they lead and the opportunities they have. For example, one past visiting student reported: I had an amazing experience with my mutual learning partner. She taught me to be so grateful to be a US citizen, as it is so difficult for her to get her visa. This was particularly confronting for one past visiting student who was bold enough to share the following reflection: If I may say so, respectfully: Overall, I very much dislike the idea of upper middle class young people, who have received many opportunities throughout their lives, going abroad to do “feel good” work and feeling that “they’ve changed as a person” etc. etc. I feel that perspective and a sense of reality when it comes to viewing what you have taken part in, what you have contributed, and what you have gained is extremely important. In this particular trip, I gained so much it is impossible that my contributions equalled my gains.

Perhaps the questions raised by this past student are somewhat mitigated by the views of another past visiting student, as expressed below: My time in India was full of challenges- the palpable heat, the sudden rains, and the stomach-aches, not to mention the difficulties associated with tutoring English when I did not speak the native language. And yet I thrived, awakening each morning excited for days permeated with immediacy. I was able to succeed because I quickly learned that the most worthy experiences are had when enthusiasm trumps discomfort.

Leaders and organisers from the visiting institutions/organisations reinforced the changes relating to students’ expanded world views and social justice issues that came from participation in the Lha Cultural Exchange Programs. These changes are captured in the box below.

Some students return home inspired to pursue professions that may work towards a more socially just society, or begin projects, related to the Tibet issue or not. But many of our students come on our program because they are already committed to social justice, so I think we solidify students’ attitudes and provide them with further insight and context. Some students are inexperienced when they come, and the experience of working with Tibetans, as well as traveling in India, has a strong impact upon them.

The age our students are at is crucial in forming values that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. They are impressionable, and their entire worldviews are blown wide open by our program.

From indirect sources, I do believe the program sparks future work in social justice, at least for some of our students.

Overall, these reflections demonstrate the significant impact that the visit had on many of the visiting students, as they grappled with revelations about themselves, the world beyond their home country and social justice.

7.3.4 Changed attitudes that lead to changed actions & involvement Importantly, email survey feedback from visiting students reported various ways that these changed attitudes and personal values had materialised into led to changed actions and involvement in social justice issues and causes. This involvement varied from establishing or participating in social justice organisations, to raising funds 18 | P a g e