Life in the Field

Blog

Bhutan
Himalayan Environment and Development Studies
Staff Post

Bhutan: A Look Back

by Marta Brill, M.A.

This summer will mark a momentous occasion -- ten years of consecutive programming for The School for Field Studies in the Kingdom of Bhutan. From its inception through the spring semester of 2019, SFS has welcomed nearly 300 students to...
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April 15, 2019
Bhutan
Himalayan Environment and Development Studies
Vishva Nalamalapu
Student Post

From Silence to Noise

by Vishva Nalamalapu

Our plane shudders to a halt on the runway of Paro Airport. I step out, and I am immediately enveloped by an expansive silence that engulfs the valley and everything beyond it. I continue on — off the runway, through...
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April 8, 2019
Bhutan
Himalayan Environment and Development Studies
Faculty Post

The Hidden Himalayas

by Jesse Lewis, M.S.

Camera Traps Reveal the Hidden Himalayas The forests of the Eastern Himalayas are some of the most biodiverse in the world, and are the last stronghold for many threatened wildlife species. However, without understanding the biology of these rare species,...
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April 8, 2019
Bhutan
Himalayan Environment and Development Studies
Faculty Post

Harmonious Phobjikha

by Purna Chhetri, Ph.D.

I will now continue my story of fascinating Phobjikha valley, about which I said “Every season the valley is in different a mode and mood”. This time I will tell the tale of the transition period - the end of...
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March 12, 2019
Bhutan
Himalayan Environment and Development Studies
Student Post

Love Resides in the Bhutanese Flowers

by Kaya Pulz

Ten years ago, I am swimming through a sea of entrepreneurs and aspiring reality TV guest stars. I’m looking up, seeing not one familiar face, and realising that they can’t see me. Their eyes are glued to the screens that...
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March 12, 2019 
		
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Bhutan
Himalayan Environment and Development Studies
Yuko Nakano
Student Post

First Impressions of Bhutan

by Yuko Nakano

As the Spring 2019 SFS students begin to settle into their new homes around the world, we asked them to share their impressions of the experience so far. Yuko Nakano had this to say about SFS Bhutan:   Why did...
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February 11, 2019
Australia
Rainforest Studies
Staff Post

2018 Photo Contest Winners!

by Kris Pieper

SFS recently announced the winners of the 2018 photo contest, which ran from Fall 2017 to Summer 2018. This year's contest saw more than 650 entries from 78 students - spanning 8 SFS centers across the globe. One grand prize...
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January 16, 2019
Bhutan
Himalayan Environment and Development Studies
Student Post

Final Impressions of Bhutan

by Erin Baggs

At the beginning of the fall semester, we asked student Erin Baggs about her first impressions of Bhutan. Now, as the semester comes to a close, she shared her thoughts with us again.   What did you like most about...
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December 6, 2018 
		
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Bhutan
Himalayan Environment and Development Studies
Student Post

Green Chilies and Red Rice

by Amanda Eason

I eat the same breakfast everyday: a large heaping of rice with a small dollop of chilies. The proportion is intentional and essential. Without the chilies the rice would be bland, boring, and too repetitive for me to enjoy each...
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November 6, 2018
Bhutan
Himalayan Environment and Development Studies
Student Post

My Identity Abroad

by Waverly Lau

I am Chinese American and am proud of it. I was born and raised in NYC, but both my parents were born in Hong Kong, China. Since I grew up in such a diverse community in New York, I hadn’t...
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October 26, 2018
Bhutan
Himalayan Environment and Development Studies
Faculty Post

Among the Wildflowers

by Jesse Lewis, M.S.

Innumerable switchbacks guide our way steadily up towards the 14,000 foot Chele-la, one of the highest road passes in Bhutan linking the Paro and Haa Valleys. Having reached mid way the temperature has dropped and the vegetation changed. Where before...
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October 9, 2018 
		
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Bhutan
Himalayan Environment and Development Studies
Faculty Post

In the Footsteps of the Divine Madman

by Jesse Lewis, M.S.

Descending the 10,170 foot (3,100 m) pass of Dochu-la the towering trunks of Himalayan Hemlocks and spruce rise out of the cool misty air. Ferns, orchids and wispy strands of moss hang from the trees as we tunnel through dense...
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July 18, 2018
Bhutan
Himalayan Environment and Development Studies
Staff Post

Remembering Anthony Bourdain

by Dr. James Cramer

Anthony Bourdain was a much-needed ambassador for fostering understanding of and appreciation for people and cultures around the world. Thus we at SFS join the worldwide chorus of those saddened by his death. On the final episode of his show...
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June 26, 2018 
		
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Bhutan
Himalayan Environment and Development Studies
Student Post

Bhutan Adventure

by Fiona Lowry

The moment I stepped off of the plane in Paro, Bhutan my lungs filled with air so clear and fresh I felt like I had never breathed air before in my life. We have had over a week to settle...
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June 15, 2018 
		
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Bhutan
Himalayan Environment and Development Studies
Faculty Post

Pilgrimage

by Jesse Lewis, M.S.

The merry jingle of bells fills the air as a group of shaggy ponies heaves into view around the trail bend. An old man follows nudging them along with a stick, mumbling mantras to himself under towering spruce trees draped...
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March 30, 2018 
		
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Bhutan
Himalayan Environment and Development Studies
Student Post

On the Road Again

by Brianna Bjordahl

It’s been a little over a month since my peers and I left the U.S. to travel to Bhutan, and with interesting classes, the occasional bonfire, and almost daily ping pong tournaments, all of us have adjusted pretty well to...
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March 12, 2018 
		
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