Overseas Study Program of International Exchange Course
(August 30 - September 11, 2015)
Eleven students and three faculty members of Kyoto University visited Trashigang District of the eastern
Bhutan. They made presentations about Japanese cultures in Sherubtse College, located in Trashigang
District. They participated in the classes of history, DriglamNamzhag (Bhutanese Etiquette), and dance
at the college. The Kyoto university students together withthe fiveSherubtse college students conducted
field studiesin Radi Gewog and Bartsham Gewog. They visited farmers’ houses and the several local
institutions such as Gewog offices (government offices), Basic Health Units (BHUs), Lhakhangs&Gompas
(temples), and a primary school. Throughout the study tour, dynamic changes of climates, vegetation, and
livelihood were observed in the altitude range about 900 – 3800 m.They touched Mithun. They listened to
the stories from the villagers about animal damages. They saw the situation of abandoned paddy
fields.They listend to the legends about AmaJomo (a local deity) and Chana Dorji (Vajrapani, protector
of the Buddha) devouring snakes. They received a pulse diagnosis by Drungtsho (doctor of traditional
medicine). They fostered friendships by sharing the experience of the field study.