Cass Colman
Combine your passion for the outdoors with intercultural exchange in India’s Kumaon region. Backpack through the soaring mountains of the Himalaya while developing the skills you need to travel in the backcountry, like map reading and minimum-impact camping. Spend your nights sleeping in a tent and wake up to cook tasty meals on a camp stove with your group. As you gain confidence in your outdoor skills, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn about the region’s ecology and traditional farming practices. Practice your conversational Hindi with local villagers and nomadic shepherds while hiking along historic trade routes between India and Tibet. During your homestay, you’ll participate in your host family’s daily routines, helping with chores, sharing meals, and getting a hands-on introduction to life in a small Himalayan community.
As you explore a new culture and terrain, you’ll also hone your leadership skills. Both wilderness travel and working alongside your host family will offer valuable lessons in teamwork, communication, and decision making. You’ll develop your own leadership style and practice your listening skills as you learn from your coursemates and host community. You’ll gain confidence in both your outdoor skills and ability to navigate intercultural interactions, returning home a seasoned backpacker and world traveler. Your experience in the Himalaya will prepare you to lead on future international adventures and beyond.