Program Spotlight: Pitt in the Himalayas
The Pitt in the Himalayas program in North India provides students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the environment and culture of one of the greatest mountain ranges on Earth. Between participating in numerous field expeditions, collaborating in a community-based conservation project, engaging with host families, and having meaningful seminar discussions, students in this program obtain a truly enriching, experiential education within and outside of the classroom. Through their experiences, students also gain valuable perspectives of the significant history and culture of the region—profound connections that continue to last after the program.
Pitt in the Himalayas offers a variety of courses that draw inspiration from the Himalayan environment, exposing students to a range of disciplines such as anthropology, environmental studies, and ecology. Directed by Dr. Joseph Alter, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Pittsburgh, the program examines the intersections between the Himalayan environment, culture, and religion, which are further contextualized by lectures in class and group expeditions to local institutions and heritage sites. Some great examples of this unique interdisciplinary study can be found in courses like Religion and Ecology (ANTH1798), which studies how belief systems and ritual practices shape and are shaped by environmental consciousness; and Himalayan Biodiversity (ANTH1801), which looks at the geological variation of the Himalayas with a focus on ethology, the study of animal behavior and the interaction of animal species.
The program facilitated by the Global Experiences Office at the University of Pittsburgh was developed in collaboration between Dr. Alter and The Hanifl Centre for Outdoor Education and Environmental Study. Established in Mussoorie, India in 2003, the Hanifl Centre promotes the study of the Himalayan environment with an emphasis on outdoor learning. The Hanifl Centre provides a new, safe environment for all types of students searching for a cross-cultural experience overseas and has partnered with the University of Pittsburgh since 2013. Surrounded by lush forest in the Himalayas with resources such as a library, seminar rooms, and easy access to the mountains, it is the perfect campus to host this immersive program.
A little bit about the program from Dr. Joe Alter, faculty director of Pitt in the Himalayas:
“The heart and soul of the program are the field expeditions where we travel together up into the remote valleys of the Himalayas to understand things from a spectacular vantage point. We are guided on these expeditions by experts who intimately know the environment and culture of the region to gain with them a hands-on, first-person, direct experiential understanding. We travel together as a group, trekking and joining together to share our experiences and learn through the questions that we ask one another and of our guides.
We will visit Corbett National Park, India’s premiere nature reserve for the conservation of tigers and other endangered species, and Jabarkhet Nature Reserve, 2300 meters above sea level.
We will go on field trips to study environmental activism, ecology, and organic farming at some of the most dynamic NGOs in India.”
Hear more from Dr. Joe Alter about the program here.
Student Stories from the Himalayas:
Regina Gee:
Growing up in the Rockies helped to show me the majesty and ‘home’ I found in the Himalayas.
Arriving in Mussoorie tested me physically first, reminding me of the oxygen content on mountain air, but winding my way up to the lower Himalaya reminded me where my lifeblood flows. I was on the literal opposite side of the world geographically, but I quickly found myself at the edges of my understanding of the world and my place in it. I lived out a beautiful contradiction – I settled within myself in the midst of the mythic, intense, and dynamic land of folded earth around me.
Imagine standing with a quarter-inch of your boots hanging off the edge of the steep, breath dragging a bit in your throat, lungs pressing into your ribcage with the slight burn of exertion.
Your hair is blown loose, and you tuck it behind your ear as you look out upon a landscape so rugged and beautiful, so breathtaking, thought-provoking… you breathe in – the crisp air finding its way into your lungs, into your capillaries, into your blood, into your muscle, into your bones. Yes, you stand there, feeling infinitesimally small in the land of the beautiful contradiction, and yet so integral, capable, and oh so brave. The mountains challenge you, show you how the very ground beneath your feet moves, collides, crumples, lifts and scrape the sky.
Read Regina’s entire testimony here.
Eli Worley:
For the academic aspect, it was school but in a completely different setting than I was used to. The teaching methods used were much more hands-on based and focused on real-world examples using scenarios to practice. I felt like this approach was much more effective and engaging than the traditional approach that I’ve grown accustomed to.
As for cultural expectations,… I will say is that what I saw definitely stuck with me. The poverty that is clear to see across the county definitely stuck with me and has given me a greater appreciation for how lucky I am. Some of the cultural differences also really surprised me and stuck with me. Every Indian I talked to, especially in the villages we went through on the trek, was so welcoming and kind. The culture of sharing and interacting with one another in a far less individualistic society was really interesting to see, and something I wish our culture could take something from.
Read Eli’s entire testimony here.
Thomas Lee:
I can still remember getting the Teams message about the program in November and thinking “that looks amazing but, there’s no way I could do that”. I can’t remember what made me do it, but I had a compulsion to look for the gold at the end of the rainbow.
Going into the program, I kept my personal expectations highly limited. In a lot of ways, I went in with the mindset to trust the process. My lack of personal expectations was accompanied by a few expectations. The inherent complexity of a program to a developing country such as India,… I was incredibly confident that the trip would go off without a hitch and be strongly structured.
The trip to Agra was a highlight of my trip. Seeing the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort were interesting as I feel they highlight just how unique a country India is. As a history minor, I absolutely love to visit historical sights and try to place them in my mental timeline. So often I feel that history becomes fragmented by geography which takes away some of it’s beauty. During the tour I was shocked to hear that the Taj Mahal’s construction didn’t start until 1632, meaning that the Pilgrims, which I trace my oldest North American ancestor back to, were already in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Visiting the historical sites in Agra helped me contextualize India’s place in history.
Nowhere within my expectations for the trip did I anticipate building the quality relationships I was able to. Reflecting on the trip, I can’t help but miss my Himalayan family. Although we weren’t all naturally compatible, I felt like the group did a great job building trust and a sense of community. The friendship I was able to build with my tent with Simon and Chris, along with the jokes I was able to crack with the once straight-faced Burga, have already translated to my life back in NJ. The biggest shock I had coming home was not being able to see my friends every day. When Simon and I were together last weekend, it hit both of us that we had known each other for only 5 weeks. I feel like this was not only a testament to how close you can get with people in challenging situations, but also a reminder to not be scared to jump in the deep end and try to get to know someone.
Read Thomas’s entire testimony here and here.
Thomas Burga:
Truthfully, adjusting to life post-India has been much more complex than I imagined.
I miss the mountains, waking up in the middle of the night to see the stars, or having fun conversations with my team at dinner.
Through the rain, snow, and harsh winds, I was able to follow [our guides from the Hanifl Center] Vipul and G as a novice to then spread the word to my team. Competency is important, but the road to competency is filled with mistakes, strong will, and quick learning. In the work environment or personal issues, I now see the value of stepping back and genuinely evaluating what needs to be done.
I thank the Himalayas, guides, and conditions for teaching that lesson. Regarding my expectations, I was able to meet and surpass my goals.
I will remember this for years to come, and I truly look forward to having more time to think about my experience.
Read Thomas’s
entire testimony here.
Global Experiences Alumni:
Walking around the same streets as when I left is an interesting experience. No longer do I merely pace by the moving cars, beautiful flowers, or faces of many people, but rather absorb every aspect of my surroundings. Coming back from India, a country so far removed from American civilization has opened my eyes to many new lessons and life experiences that I otherwise would have not been exposed to.
Personally, I’ve seen myself grow immensely as an individual since the trip by becoming more aware of my surroundings (noticing and appreciating beauty on runs).
All in all, I kept a lot of culture and personal expectations at bay prior to studying abroad in India. Because of this, I felt I was able to experience everything
that happened to me as it came and without judgement. Immersing myself in another culture other than my own was a humbling and awesome experience that I will never forget. The lessons I learned through experiential education will impact me for the rest of my life.
Read their full testimony here.
Some student stories above are from global experiences in the Himalayas in the past, but they are not necessarily representative of the excursions that will be offered during the Pitt in Himalayas Spring 2024 program. You can view a draft itinerary of the Pitt in the Himalayas program here.
Pitt in the Himalayas is now accepting applications for Spring 2024. You can find more information and apply for this program on the Global Experiences Office website here. Any questions or interest for the program can directed to the program manager Lauren Perri at lap140@pitt.edu or faculty director Dr. Joe Alter at jsalter@pitt.edu.
Written in collaboration by Dr. Joe Alter, Alexander Nieves, Lauren Perri, Rachel Vandevort and the students above.