Letro: Internationals go Greifswald

 This is just a copy paste of what is being reflected on the International go Greifswald web, part contributed by myself. Just in case they update the web with those of new scholars;

Studies in home country
Forestry (B.Sc.), College of Forestry, Birsa Agricultural university, India (2012)

Activity in Greifswald
Master of Science Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation (LENC)

Period
August 2016 - September 2018

Why did I come to Germany?
"I wanted to enhance my professional knowledge in conservation, and that I aspired to achieve from a new environment. University of Greifswald bestowed me with the privilege and the new journey began. The wonderful experiences followed later. 

After graduating with a B.Sc. Forestry degree from India, I was working as a conservationist at a national park in my country, Bhutan. As conservationists, we confront many challenges in safeguarding the pristine natural forests and protecting the wildlife in it. We have communities within the national parks and enabling a harmonious coexistence between people and nature is very important for us. Wildlife too need a freedom of movement and protected areas alone don’t serve the purpose. I felt that a landscape approach to conservation is the most viable solution to this. I felt an urgency to enhance my professional knowledge and I wanted to achieve it from a new environment. My quest for the ideal combo then began.

While there are many exciting courses and places worldwide, yet finance was a major constraint. For an aspirant from a developing country, it’s hard to manage even the daily subsistence in a developed country, let alone the huge course fees. But there are countries like Germany where no substantial fee are collected for pursuing university degrees if you are enthusiastic and competent. Moreover, there is DAAD, the largest German support organisation in the field of international academic co-operation. DAAD supports scholars from many developing nations to pursue higher education in Germany and I saw the hope to study in Germany.

More than glad, I found that Landscape Ecology & Nature Conservation (LENC) at the University of Greifswald have support from DAAD and lucky enough, I was among the few who got selected to pursue the course of my aspiration in a new place in 2016. I marked the first footprint of Bhutan in Greifswald. That was the journey and experiences followed later."

What I liked the most in Greifswald

I come from the countryside in Bhutan so I expected Greifswald would be a metro city, but reaching here, I found it small and beautiful. The ambience in Greifswald is very similar to where I come from so I got acclimatized to the place very easily. Without much hustles and bustles, and with serene environment, it’s a perfect place to live specially for studying the course like Landscape Ecology. The city is cycle friendly and cycle almost every day, and that’s the best thing we can do in Greifswald, because it is ecological friendly and good for our health.

What was difficult for me

Language was a barrier for me. When I came to Germany, I was well aware that English is not the spoken language here so I was determined to learn German and exhibit it with pride. However, German language was too tough for me to learn because I was more focussed on the subjects of my study. I couldn’t learn German as aspired so in some situations, I really feel awkward not knowing how to get my things done. It is specially challenging when I have to visit the clinic or a doctor and when the doctor don’t speak English. But, I have German friends and they are so helpful, so I don’t have to worry much.

What I learned

Being in a new environment with multicultural interactions, I am enriched with memoirs of intercultural coexistence, which was further enhanced by programmes organized in the university such as intercultural exchanges, international day, Greifswald summer school etc. Besides the academic knowledge, one thing which we can learn in Greifswald is the coexistence of diverse cultures. I am glad to have friends from all major continents of the world. All I can take along is the good memories.

Spiritual Lakes of Jomolhari

In the vast remote mountains blessed by Guru Rinpoche, Jetsun Milarepa, Lama Drukpa Kuenley and Gyalwa Lorepa, are the two spiritual lakes. The turquoisetique Tsheringmai La-Tsho, the spiritual lake of Thseringma, the goddess of Wealth is located on the right side of the ridge facing down. The lake is situated at the base of Mount. Jomolhari (not from the tourist base camp), which also have numerous sacred sites, including the 12th century temple. It is believed that if environment around are defiled, natural catastrophes and destruction happen in the locality. People appease the deity by making milk and incense smoke offerings.

Thseringma La-tsho.

Facing down on the left is the, the La-tsho of Aum Jomo, the guardian deity of the Mount Jomolhari. Ulike the Tsheringma la-tsho bearing bright emerald blue colour with milkish stains, this spiritual lake bears greyish blue colour. The lake is situated on the left base of, what legend had passed on, the golden pillars that holds the main submit of Mount Jomolhari.

Aum Jomo La-Tsho

Aum Jomo La-Tsho

Jomolhari Temple

The famous Jomolhari trek traverse along the Pa Chhu and pass by the Soe Gewog on later days before reaching the Jomolhari Base Camp. That is the most travelled route. However, if one diverts along the stream coming from the right after reaching the RBA outpost before reaching the settlements, it will lead nowhere but to a vast wilderness filled with sacred sites. Amongst many caves in which famous saints and masters meditated is the cave where Gyalwa Lorepa has meditated and attained enlightenment. Gyalwa Lorepa is a 12-13th century Drukpa Master from Tibet and deciple of Tshangpa Gyarey, and also the founder of Tharpaling Temple in Bumthang, which later Longchenpa reined.

Just below the meditation cave, it is said that Lorepa himself built a small temple. Except for the important relics, the temple was believed to be washed away by flashflood but was later restored adjacent to the cave, and is still seen. The temple has a statue of Gyalwa Lorepa, a holy script gifted to Gyalwa Lorepa by Aum Jomo, a unique Kongbu, and set of bowls as main ancient relics. A statue of Goddess Tsheringma was also installed later. The temple which stands in solitary in wilderness is being catered by a local caretaker and a Zhung Dratshang appointed Lama. Local people sponsor the religious ceremonies.

Mount Jomolhari of Bhutan

Mount Jomolhari, rising at 7326 metres above sea level is one of the highest mountains in Bhutan. Jomolhari, also known as bride of Kanchenjunga marks the end of Kanchenjunga Mountain and is first amongst the series of mountains along the northern Bhutan. As majestic the mountains is, its base is spectacular and offer some of the best camping sites, pasture grounds, and pristine habitat for array of wild flora and fauna. It is also one of the ultimate sources of Pachhu, the river that drains the Paro valley.