Canberra: During the 6th Governing Body meeting of the Australian Tibetan Communities Association, held at the beginning of this year, a resolution was passed to organise a tour program for students of the Tibetan weekend school during their school holidays to Tibetan schools in India. This program aims to familiarise the students with the Tibetan community in India through visits, experience the Tibetan spirit of maintaining their identity in exile, and better understand Tibetan cause and aspirations.
The team consisting of 16 students aged between 10 to 17, with five escorting parents, departed for India to participate in a month-long study tour at Tibetan Children’s Village in Bylakuppe (South India) from 26 December 2022 and 25 January 2023. The students are from Tibetan communities in Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Canberra, and Nowra.
During this study program, the students will be taught the Tibetan language, history, culture, music, dance, and basic principles of Buddhism. In addition, the participants will visit the Tibetan monasteries and explore the lives of Tibetans living in Bylakupee and nearby Tibetan settlements.
This is the first-ever study program for Australian Tibetan children launched by the Australian Tibetan Communities Association in collaboration with Tibetan Children’s Village.
Group photo of the participating students at the airport.
Escorting parents and students at the airport before departure.