India

Tibetan Village Experience

Spend valuable time living and learning within the Tibetan refugee population of Dharamsala while performing community service in India. You’ll be paired up with a Tibetan mutual learning partner (MLP) who will share firsthand knowledge of what life is really like on the fringe of civilization. It’s the most intimate high school summer abroad program there is – you’ll trade stories and experiences while providing meaningful social and educational services. You’ll also experience the sights and sounds of India through visits to New Delhi, Amritsar, and the Taj Mahal.

  • Days
  • Service
  • Students
  • Age
  • Availability
  • Tuition (USD)
Upcoming Session Information

Our upcoming dates and costs for this journey are not yet published. Check back, or give us a call (+1.941.924.2115) to discuss our future offerings.

Focus

  • Humanitarian Support
  • Infrastructure Development

Adventure

  • Cultural Exploration
  • Hiking & Walking Tours
  • Land Sports

Environment

  • Urban
  • Rural
  • Mountains

The Journey

Your Adventure Starts Here
GoBeyond India Map
More About India

Namaste! Welcome to India!

Our journey begins! Students have the option of flying to Delhi (DEL) via Newark (EWR) on a preselected group itinerary, or students can fly independently. For students flying via EWR, GoBeyond arranges for an airport representative to assist with the transfer. In some cases, this representative is one of the group leaders and flies with the students to the journey destination. In other cases, he/she is a local contact responsible for airport assistance but will not be on the flight to Delhi. Due to time zone differences, our group flight typically lands in India the day after departure. After arrival in Delhi, students are met at the airport by GoBeyond’s professional staff and transferred to our comfortable and clean hotel. First day activities include a fantastic Indian welcome meal, GoBeyond’s orientation, check-in, and icebreakers. Students also beat jet lag while touring popular Delhi sites, then enjoy the majestic Dhauladhar range on the stunning flight from Delhi to Dharamsala in northern India.

india-high-school-community-service-summer-program-6
Community Service Activities

Service Days in Dharamsala

Students spend the majority of their trip in Dharamsala, a hillside town in northern India. As home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile, this small, tranquil town offers a glimpse into Tibet itself. Focusing on this one community offers numerous advantages to our service program, as students gain an intimate and unforgettable insight into the culture and complex issues of the Tibetan people.

Tibetan Mutual Learning Partners in Dharasmala
Community Service Activities

Service Days in Dharamsala

Each GoBeyond student is paired with a Tibetan mutual learning partner (MLP) during their time in Dharamsala. MLPs are typically adults of various ages and backgrounds, but their hopes and aspirations drive them in similar ways. Our objective is simple – to assist each MLP with their English while simultaneously exchanging stories and cultures. Mornings are often spent in cafes going over English learning materials or simply engaging in informal conversations on a range of subjects.

Student volunteer in Dharamsala
Community Service Activities

Service Days in Dharamsala

GoBeyond students also have the opportunity to work with local children, playing mentor and teacher while focusing on English instruction and general childcare. Students learn what it feels like to take the lead in classroom as they engage young students in arts, music, and other creative mediums. It is often here that we learn the warmth of a young Tibetan’s smile.

Tibetan Culture Volunteer Program For Teens
Tibetan Cultural Exchange Program For Teens
Teen Summer Program International Exchange India
Teen Cultural Program Dharamsala Volunteering India
Study Tibetan Culture In India This Summer
Free Tibet Summer Program Volunteer Teens
Itinerary Activities

Dharamsala Exploration

While the core of our time in Dharamsala centers on community service, during their service trip to India, students also have an opportunity to explore some of the region’s great treasures. Afternoons and evenings are often spent touring local attractions, including the Dalai Lama’s Temple, the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, the Central Tibetan Administration, Tibet Museum, Bhagsunath Village, Bhagsu waterfall, monasteries, and more. Students also gain insight into Tibet’s rich history through a mix of cultural classes, including lessons in language, music, cooking, yoga, and Buddhist philosophy. As part of this high school summer abroad program, students also meet prominent members of the Tibetan community and local NGOs.

India volunteer group
Itinerary Activities

Norbulingka Institute Excursion

Rounding off their stay in the Dharamsala area, students explore the charming gardens, crafts workshops, monastery, and museum of Norbulingka, an institute dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture. Norbulingka’s studios produce museum-quality artwork using methods that have been practiced and passed down for many centuries. This picturesque and peaceful backdrop offers students the perfect opportunity to spend a night reflecting on their incredible encounter with the Tibetan community.

india-high-school-community-service-summer-program-7
Itinerary Activities

Amritsar Excursion

After saying goodbye to the Dharamsala area, students embark on a scenic 4-hour private jeep ride to the city of Amritsar in northwestern India. After arrival and some much needed R&R, students visit the holiest place of worship for the Sikh religion. The Golden Temple receives more visitors per year and is considered by some to be even more beautiful than the better known Taj Mahal. Students stay one night in Amritsar, then continue on to Delhi via domestic flight.

Travel To India Volunteer Program
Travel To India Exchange Program
Top Teen Volunteer Programs
Teen Peace Corps Volunteer Summer Program
Teen Exchange Volunteer Service Program
India High School Summer Program
Adventure Activities

Taj Mahal Excursion and Delhi Touring

Upon arrival in Delhi, students head to Agra via local train to check this Wonder of the World off their list. Originally built to house the tomb of the wife of a Mughal emperor, the Taj Mahal is world renown and for good reason. This incredible site is often considered to be the crowning jewel of Muslim art in India. After touring and learning about this grand attraction, students return to Delhi and spend their final hours exploring the exotic food and handicraft markets. Everyone gets to dress up and heads to the trendy arts enclave of Haus Khaz Village to rub shoulders with young Delhites for our formal dinner. Our final night activities are bittersweet as students share laughs and, perhaps, a few tears during our slide show and closing program.

India Service Program

Program Focus

Assisting the Tibetan Community

Tibet is situated on the world’s highest plateau in the Himalayas – what is now present-day China. Long regarded as an independent and peaceful country, inhabited by people living in harmony with nature, Tibet became known to the outside world as “Shangri-La.” Sadly, the peace was not to last…

Dharamsala, India, became the new home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile in 1960 when the prime minister of India granted political asylum to Tibetans escaping Chinese rule. Since relocating to India, the Tibetan exiles have struggled to maintain their culture and identity. The mass movement has caused social and financial instability as transplanted families attempt to re-establish businesses, careers, and cultural harmony. Equally as challenging has been the cultural disconnectedness as Tibetans attempt to live and strive in the Indian culture, quite different from their own.

While the Tibetan exile situation is a heated political issue, GoBeyond does not intend to incite political fervor but rather to help the children and families who are suffering in our world. We seek to share cultures and stories and broaden horizons through educational exchange programs. At the request of the Dalai Lama, Tibetans learn English to improve their lives in exile. Employment in India is difficult without this skill, so we aid the Lha Charitable Trust as well as local children’s organizations in their mission to teach English to the Tibetan people. 

Meet Our Service Partners
Get Our Free Catalog

“Even though this is my third GoBeyond trip, I find that I am profoundly affected in a unique way by each experience. A major theme of this trip was differentiating between sympathy and support, and I believe we truly supported the Tibetan community. We created lasting relationships with both the generation that escaped the horrors of Tibet and with the new generation born in exile.”
Gabriella M. Skokie, IL
GoBeyond India Review

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Chat With GoBeyond Alumni

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Closing Activities

Students say goodbye to their new friends at GoBeyond. Without fail, there’s a mix of emotions – there is excitement to return home; there’s sadness to leave. On the final day of the service trip to India, students are transferred to the Delhi airport by our professional staff, checked in, then travel on to their respective homes and families. Yet the journey continues for each individual in undefinable ways. The lessons we learn, the friends we make, and the personal growth we gain through our high school summer abroad can shape our hearts and minds for many years to come.

dharamsala-high-school-community-service-trip-1
Tibetan Service Immersion Program
dharamsala-high-school-community-service-trip-3
dharamsala-high-school-community-service-trip-4
dharamsala-high-school-community-service-trip-5
dharamsala-high-school-community-service-trip-6
By Rose A.

Working With the TCV kids!

Today was our first day working with the children at T.C.V. (Tibetan Children’s Village), a school for the local Tibetan…

Read More
By Cristi O.

Welcome to Dharamsala

Today was chaotic, fantastic and culturally shocking. This morning my group and I woke up early for a delicious breakfast…

Read More
By Elliott L.

#BubblesTheAngryTourGuide

Today was the day we got to see the Taj Mahal. Before we left, I looked on the internet to…

Read More
By Avery M.

Golden Day at the Golden Temple

We began our day with a long car ride to Amritsar. It lasted probably four and a half hours, mostly…

Read More
By Maxwell H.

Last Day On The “Roof Of The World”

Today’s activities were a relaxing, fun “last hora” in Dharamsala. We experienced one last piece of Tibetan culture through our…

Read More

Trip Logs

GoBeyond India Map
More About India

Namaste! Welcome to India!

Our journey begins! Students have the option of flying to Delhi (DEL) via Newark (EWR) on a preselected group itinerary, or students can fly independently. For students flying via EWR, GoBeyond arranges for an airport representative to assist with the transfer. In some cases, this representative is one of the group leaders and flies with the students to the journey destination. In other cases, he/she is a local contact responsible for airport assistance but will not be on the flight to Delhi. Due to time zone differences, our group flight typically lands in India the day after departure. After arrival in Delhi, students are met at the airport by GoBeyond’s professional staff and transferred to our comfortable and clean hotel. First day activities include a fantastic Indian welcome meal, GoBeyond’s orientation, check-in, and icebreakers. Students also beat jet lag while touring popular Delhi sites, then enjoy the majestic Dhauladhar range on the stunning flight from Delhi to Dharamsala in northern India.

india-high-school-community-service-summer-program-6
Community Service Activities

Service Days in Dharamsala

Students spend the majority of their trip in Dharamsala, a hillside town in northern India. As home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile, this small, tranquil town offers a glimpse into Tibet itself. Focusing on this one community offers numerous advantages to our service program, as students gain an intimate and unforgettable insight into the culture and complex issues of the Tibetan people.

Tibetan Mutual Learning Partners in Dharasmala
Community Service Activities

Service Days in Dharamsala

Each GoBeyond student is paired with a Tibetan mutual learning partner (MLP) during their time in Dharamsala. MLPs are typically adults of various ages and backgrounds, but their hopes and aspirations drive them in similar ways. Our objective is simple – to assist each MLP with their English while simultaneously exchanging stories and cultures. Mornings are often spent in cafes going over English learning materials or simply engaging in informal conversations on a range of subjects.

Student volunteer in Dharamsala
Community Service Activities

Service Days in Dharamsala

GoBeyond students also have the opportunity to work with local children, playing mentor and teacher while focusing on English instruction and general childcare. Students learn what it feels like to take the lead in classroom as they engage young students in arts, music, and other creative mediums. It is often here that we learn the warmth of a young Tibetan’s smile.

India Service Program

Program Focus

Assisting the Tibetan Community

Tibet is situated on the world’s highest plateau in the Himalayas – what is now present-day China. Long regarded as an independent and peaceful country, inhabited by people living in harmony with nature, Tibet became known to the outside world as “Shangri-La.” Sadly, the peace was not to last…

Dharamsala, India, became the new home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile in 1960 when the prime minister of India granted political asylum to Tibetans escaping Chinese rule. Since relocating to India, the Tibetan exiles have struggled to maintain their culture and identity. The mass movement has caused social and financial instability as transplanted families attempt to re-establish businesses, careers, and cultural harmony. Equally as challenging has been the cultural disconnectedness as Tibetans attempt to live and strive in the Indian culture, quite different from their own.

While the Tibetan exile situation is a heated political issue, GoBeyond does not intend to incite political fervor but rather to help the children and families who are suffering in our world. We seek to share cultures and stories and broaden horizons through educational exchange programs. At the request of the Dalai Lama, Tibetans learn English to improve their lives in exile. Employment in India is difficult without this skill, so we aid the Lha Charitable Trust as well as local children’s organizations in their mission to teach English to the Tibetan people. 

Meet Our Service Partners
Tibetan Culture Volunteer Program For Teens
Tibetan Cultural Exchange Program For Teens
Teen Summer Program International Exchange India
Teen Cultural Program Dharamsala Volunteering India
Study Tibetan Culture In India This Summer
Free Tibet Summer Program Volunteer Teens
Itinerary Activities

Dharamsala Exploration

While the core of our time in Dharamsala centers on community service, during their service trip to India, students also have an opportunity to explore some of the region’s great treasures. Afternoons and evenings are often spent touring local attractions, including the Dalai Lama’s Temple, the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, the Central Tibetan Administration, Tibet Museum, Bhagsunath Village, Bhagsu waterfall, monasteries, and more. Students also gain insight into Tibet’s rich history through a mix of cultural classes, including lessons in language, music, cooking, yoga, and Buddhist philosophy. As part of this high school summer abroad program, students also meet prominent members of the Tibetan community and local NGOs.

Get Our Free Catalog

India volunteer group
Itinerary Activities

Norbulingka Institute Excursion

Rounding off their stay in the Dharamsala area, students explore the charming gardens, crafts workshops, monastery, and museum of Norbulingka, an institute dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture. Norbulingka’s studios produce museum-quality artwork using methods that have been practiced and passed down for many centuries. This picturesque and peaceful backdrop offers students the perfect opportunity to spend a night reflecting on their incredible encounter with the Tibetan community.

india-high-school-community-service-summer-program-7
Itinerary Activities

Amritsar Excursion

After saying goodbye to the Dharamsala area, students embark on a scenic 4-hour private jeep ride to the city of Amritsar in northwestern India. After arrival and some much needed R&R, students visit the holiest place of worship for the Sikh religion. The Golden Temple receives more visitors per year and is considered by some to be even more beautiful than the better known Taj Mahal. Students stay one night in Amritsar, then continue on to Delhi via domestic flight.

“Even though this is my third GoBeyond trip, I find that I am profoundly affected in a unique way by each experience. A major theme of this trip was differentiating between sympathy and support, and I believe we truly supported the Tibetan community. We created lasting relationships with both the generation that escaped the horrors of Tibet and with the new generation born in exile.”
Gabriella M. Skokie, IL
GoBeyond India Review
Travel To India Volunteer Program
Travel To India Exchange Program
Top Teen Volunteer Programs
Teen Peace Corps Volunteer Summer Program
Teen Exchange Volunteer Service Program
India High School Summer Program
Adventure Activities

Taj Mahal Excursion and Delhi Touring

Upon arrival in Delhi, students head to Agra via local train to check this Wonder of the World off their list. Originally built to house the tomb of the wife of a Mughal emperor, the Taj Mahal is world renown and for good reason. This incredible site is often considered to be the crowning jewel of Muslim art in India. After touring and learning about this grand attraction, students return to Delhi and spend their final hours exploring the exotic food and handicraft markets. Everyone gets to dress up and heads to the trendy arts enclave of Haus Khaz Village to rub shoulders with young Delhites for our formal dinner. Our final night activities are bittersweet as students share laughs and, perhaps, a few tears during our slide show and closing program.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Chat With GoBeyond Alumni

Enter your email below, and we'll send you some alumni references

Closing Activities

Students say goodbye to their new friends at GoBeyond. Without fail, there’s a mix of emotions – there is excitement to return home; there’s sadness to leave. On the final day of the service trip to India, students are transferred to the Delhi airport by our professional staff, checked in, then travel on to their respective homes and families. Yet the journey continues for each individual in undefinable ways. The lessons we learn, the friends we make, and the personal growth we gain through our high school summer abroad can shape our hearts and minds for many years to come.

dharamsala-high-school-community-service-trip-1