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Tenzin, Kalsang Topgyal, Phuntsok Gyaltsen, and Sonam Dorjee
We are Tibetans born in India who have never seen
our homeland. Our parents fled to India when our nation lost its
independence in 1959 to China. In India people rarely ask us our
nationality because our faces are familiar. But in Washington, everything
is so foreign and we are so different that we have gained a new
appreciation of our cultural uniqueness. It seems funny to go so
far from home and feel more Tibetan.
Currently, we are pursuing our graduate studies
with the US Fulbright student exchange program. Phuntsok and Tenzin
are studying Biotechnology at Georgetown University. Kalsang is
studying Law and Sonam is studying Economics at American University.
Tibetans are typically shy, reserved types of
people that don’t mingle much. But at the House we have made
so many friends that are curious about us and we have really opened
ourselves. We don’t feel different, but our friends from home
tell us we smile and socialize more.
It is great to be in this beautiful house with
its supportive staff and friendly fellows. We have noticed that
some of our classmates who chose to live in apartments are much
more isolated than we are. We came to Washington to study, but by
choosing to live at ISH we have learned so much more. We have become
part of an international family. The experience of living with so
many students from different walks of life has had a larger impact
on us than reading books ever could.
We treasure every moment that we have spent in
this house. We have widened our horizons of knowledge and understanding
of the world. We have many sweet memories that will help us build
a more just world.
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