12 ECU Students Visit Bhutan for Cultural Exchange and Learning Experience

From September 22 to October 9, 2024, twelve undergraduate students from Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia, led by Professors Vicki Banham and Karen Anderson, visited Samtse College of Education for an enriching educational and cultural experience. The programme, initiated in 2019 and funded by the New Colombo Plan, focuses on students studying counselling, psychology, and social science.

During their stay at the College, the students immersed themselves in a variety of activities alongside Bachelor of Education (BEd) students. They attended classes, participated in a full-day Dzongkha language learning session, and engaged in mindfulness practices. As part of their community engagement, the group also visited local farmers, interacted with monks and elderly people, and explored local temples and market.

In addition to their time in Samtse, the group visited the RENEW Office and shelter in Thimphu, where they learned about Bhutan’s initiatives in women’s empowerment and social work, and visited Office of the Vice Chancellor (RUB) in Motithang. They also visited iconic religious sites, including Buddha Point and the famous Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery.

The students were deeply impressed by Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage, with some even leaving the country wearing traditional Bhutanese attire, the gho and kira. The visit fostered strong cross-cultural connections and provided the students with a deeper understanding of Bhutan’s unique way of life.