2025 Student Experience

The UBC Himalaya Program has offered community-engaged Nepali and Tibetan language courses since 2016, with 2025 marking the 10th year summer of language learning! They have grown from 1-week, 1-credit courses to 2-week, 3-credit courses. This year, TIBT 390 ran from May 12th to May 30th, followed by NEPL 390 from July 2nd to July 15th.

To read about the Nepali language course (NEPL 390), click here

With classroom instruction from professors Mr. Sonam Chusang (Tibetan) and Mr. Binod Shrestha (Nepali), supported by engagement with valuable community language partners through community engagement field-trips and activities, students advanced their language skills while gaining impactful intercultural experiences.

TIBETAN 2025

Taught by Mr. Sonam Chusang.

Off-Campus Visits

The Tibetan class took two off-campus field trips, giving students the chance to practice their developing language skills while also gaining a deeper understanding of Tibetan spaces and experiences in Vancouver.

On May 23rd, students gathered for a picnic in front of the IKB Building with Tibetan language partners, including guest speaker Lama Rabten and students from the Lodoe Kunphen Heritage Tibetan School. The picnic featured traditional Tibetan dishes such as shapaley, and provided students with the opportunity to practice their language skills in small groups while engaging with community members and deepening their understanding of the local Tibetan community.

Group photo of the TIBT390 Picnic with students and language partners.

Participants engaging in a speaking circle at TIBT390 Picnic

“There was [a] community picnic during the course. That day was full of joy. The weather was nice, and everyone brought good energy.”

“During the picnic…I was very fortunate enough to have casual conversations with the UBC students about their upbringing in the Tibetan atmosphere and gain a lot of insight on the culture…it was an experience that taught me a lot and also expanded my world of culture and identity.”

To wrap up the course, on May 30th students visited Vancouver’s Tsengdok Monastery, a key community partner for the TIBT 390 curriculum. The day began with final class presentations delivered before Tsengdok Rinpoche, Geshe Tenzin, and Geshe Sopa, who in turn shared their knowledge of Tibetan Buddhist rituals and traditions. At noon, students joined in preparing Tibetan cuisine, including momos, and shared a meal with community participants. The visit concluded with Geshe Tenzin offering reflections on the core values of Buddhism and their relevance to cultivating happiness in everyday life.

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Students presenting their final TIBT 390 class projects at Vancouver Tsengdok Monastery

Students sharing the Tibetan meals they prepared at Tsengdok Monastery with language partners

“[At] Tsengdok Monastery [we] had the honour [of learning] about Buddhism, compassion…with 2 scholars and a very respected leader. We presented fascinating information found from a Tibetan book, gained advice, and even made momo to eat together. I even had the honour to converse in simple Russian with one of the Geshe!”

“These gatherings were not just extra practice. They gave me real, living experiences with Tibetan people”

 

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Class Experience

This year’s TIBT 390 class entered the language as beginners, but shared a deep enthusiasm for language learning and Tibetan culture. In the course, Mr. Sonam Chusang covered colloquial Tibetan grammar from beginner to a conversational level. The lessons aligned with the community programs, where students learned everyday phrases, grammar structures, and vocabulary to engage with community members. The class experienced several Tibetan guest speakers, creating a rich and meaningful setting that encouraged students to explore Tibetan beyond the program.

TIBT390 students engaged in classroom language learning

“We learned the basics of the Tibetan language and very beginner-friendly vocabulary and sentences, like “What is your name?” and many forms of greetings. [We also] learned about pronouns, points of view, sub-, and superscripts for consonants.”

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Classroom Visits

In addition to Mr. Chusang’s engaging lessons, several Tibetan guest speakers joined the TIBT 390 classroom, offering students valuable insights on Tibetan language and culture from firsthand experience.

On May 16th, Gen Jamphel Gyatso visited the classroom. Having grown up in a Tibetan refugee community in Arunachal Pradesh, India, during the 1960s and 70s, Mr. Gyatso dedicated his life to teaching Tibetan and revitalizing the language in refugee communities across northeast India. He shared with TIBT 390 students his experiences as a language teacher and reflected on the vital role he played in preserving Tibetan among generations born in India.

Gen Jhampel Gyato in TIBT 390 classroom presenting
his experience with the Tibetan language and community

“[Gen Jamphel spoke] to the class about his journey through Tibetan Buddhism and the true meaning of happiness. It was an amazing opportunity to learn from someone that has immersed himself deeply into the culture and religion as well as hearing his many pieces of advice.”

On May 23rd, Lama Rabten joined the classroom. With a background in spiritual studies and retreats in India and Nepal, as well as training in Vajrayana rituals of music, dance, torma, and tantra memorization, he now serves as the resident monk at Nalanda Bodhi Vancouver. In the TIBT 390 class, he shared his knowledge and experiences, led a short meditation session, and later joined the class picnic as one of the community language partners.

Lama Rabten sharing his knowledge with the TIBT 390 students

“We had a visit from a lama. He taught us how to meditate. At first, I didn’t expect much from it. But the moment we began, I felt calm and peaceful… I followed his advice and tried it at home. I noticed that my mood improved when I practiced. It wasn’t just relaxing. It helped me slow down and feel more present”

Lastly, on May 26th, UBC Professor Tsering Shakya visited the TIBT 390 classroom. Originally from Lhasa, Dr. Shakya has an extensive academic background in Tibetan Studies and is widely recognized as a leading scholar on modern Tibetan history and politics. He spoke with students on the topic of the Tibetan diaspora and Tibetans in Canada.

Dr. Shakya speaking on Tibetan diaspora with the TIBT 390 students

“[Tsering Shakya] taught us about the concept of double diaspora, and how this connects to Tibetans residing in Canada”

“Looking back on the 3 weeks, I can clearly see the uniqueness and cultural diversity this course has offered me. Taking TIBT390 was such an amazing and unique experience that I will never forget!”

NEPALI 2025

Taught by Mr. Binod Shrestha.

Off-Campus Visits

The Nepali language class also took two field trips off-campus to different Nepali community sites in the Lower Mainland.

On July 4th, students went on their first community visit to Thrangu Monastery in Richmond. They began the day by joining a morning prayer with Sangpo Lama, who also guided them on a tour of the monastery, introduced key aspects of Tibetan Buddhism, and answered questions about his life as a monk. Afterwards, students were divided into small groups, each paired with a monk to practice their Nepali conversation skills. The visit concluded with a shared vegetarian lunch provided by the monastery before the class returned to campus for a grammar lesson to close the day.​

This year’s NEPL 390 students at Thrangu Monastery

Students conversing in small groups with monks at Thrangu Monastery.

“It felt very rewarding to greet people at the Monastery. It put our lessons into perspective and I was able to see the real-life application of the language.”

“The lama [at Thrangu Monastery] and I had a very educational talk about the dharma in Nepal.” 

On July 11th, the class visited the Hindu Buddhist Foundation of Canada (HBFC) in Surrey, where they participated in small-group conversations with language partners, enjoyed activities such as singing Nepali songs, listened to cultural talks on Nepal, and concluded the afternoon by sharing lunch with community members.

Students taking part in a Nepali song performance

The NEPL 390 students with HBFC language partners

“The most memorable part of the course was our visit to the Hindu Buddhist monastery, where we drank chiya and spoke to volunteers in Nepali. It felt very real and meaningful to apply what we had learned outside the classroom.”

“The highlight of this course was meeting members of the Hindu-Buddhist community. They were incredibly welcoming and patient, and I’m very grateful they shared their time and stories with us” 

Class Experience

This year’s class brought together students ranging from beginner to intermediate levels. Participants included graduate students preparing for research in Nepal, upcoming Go Global Nepal students, as well as undergraduates with little to no prior knowledge of the language or culture. In the classroom, Mr. Binod Shrestha emphasized dialogue, vocabulary, and grammar to promote active learning through repetition, role-play, pair work, and group activities. These methods helped students strengthen their communication skills in Nepali. He also integrated a range of digital tools and strategies, such as objects, images, posters, audiovisual aids, digital flashcards, online quizzes, and Kahoot!.

Mr. Binod Shrestha explaining class expectations on the first day of classes

“Through the teaching of our professor Binod, the other students and myself could converse with community members in beginner conversational Nepali and learn more about their culture.” 

Class Visits

On July 7th, the NEPL 390 class hosted a Nepali Music Session with Asim Khanal, urban planner and researcher, as well as a guitarist and music enthusiast. Mr. Khanal performed Nepali songs live with guitar and vocals, as well as madal drumming, a traditional Nepalese folk drum (instrumental).

Asim Khanal explaining the madal to students

On July 8th, Dr. Mark Turin, linguist and anthropologist, as well as a UBC faculty member and Himalaya Program Steering Committee co-lead joined the class to provide a guest lecture on the stories of Nepali Language Learning

Dr. Mark Turin providing his lecture to students 

“This language course turned out to be one of the best courses I have ever taken as an undergraduate.”