Who We Are
Passage staff and students are treated like family; but we also retain the
professional touch that comes from our many years of experience conducting
study abroad programs.
We are committed to providing you the best cultural immersion by drawing
from our many years of experience and vast
array of contacts with deep insights into the cultures and communities in
which our programs operate.
South Asia Office
Vidhea
Shrestha
Founder and Director of Programs
Of
Nepali parentage and schooled by Irish nuns in Darjeeling, India, Vidhea is a product of international education. She has
coordinated, managed and created educational programs for 15 years. Having lived in several of the communities
where Passage works, she understands the need for building long-lasting,
reciprocal relationships.
Vidhea has eclectic interests and skills.
She has worked as a researcher especially for women's issues. Her skills
range from photo and copy-editing, to jazz singing and organizing music
concerts.
 Yanik
Shrestha-Coordinator
If you happen to turn on the radio in
Katmandu
you may hear Yanik's “Peace Train”- Classic Hits,
or “Radioactive” - Alternative Hits.
Occasionally he also dabbles in modeling and acting in television serials.
Yanik has assisted in guiding many treks in India and Nepal.
He has traveled in the U.K. Germany
and extensively in Nepal and India.
Michael Smith-
Coordinator
Michael is a graduate of Rice University in
Religious Studies (Buddhism) and Environmental Policy Studies.
He led youth programs in the mountains of New Mexico in 2001 and 2002, and
has been coordinating Passage programs since 2004.
Michael is currently living in Kathmandu, pursuing a course of studies as
a Fulbright scholar examining contemporary synthesis of the local Newar
Buddhist tradition with Tibetan Buddhism. He has also traveled
extensively in Tibet, Nepal and northern India.
He writes about his experience living in Nepal and working with Passage at
www.kilgoresmith.blogspot.com
Currently Mike is translating a 19th century Buddhist meditation manual.
USA
Office
Dan Dawson
21320 E Aberdeen Place, Centennial, CO 80015
Toll free 1-866-840-9197 Phone 720-870-2230
usaoffice@passageproject.org
 Dan’s adventure filled youth growing
up in Alaska and working as a cowboy in Montana was a precursor to the
thrill of a lifetime - supervising the building of footbridges in Nepal as
a Peace Corps Volunteer.
After returning to America in 1971
* Budget Analyst - State of Alaska
* Controller in manufacturing Industry
* Peace Corps Administrative Officer and Recruiter
* CFO for a mental health care industry
corporation.
* Owner/Operator/CFO of Hotel,
Restaurant, Tour Company, and Imports Business
Dan enjoys traveling and doing the salsa, carpentry work, reading, yoga
and hiking.
OUR HOME STAY LEADER
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Doma Chudon
•led trips as Caravan Leader across the vast
Tibetan plateau from her native Kham in the east, to Mt Kailash in the far
west – as well as in Nepal.
•studied Art at the University of Wisconsin and attended Columbia
University’s Teachers College.
•worked with master artists in Nepal, India and Tibet, particularly in
restoring Tibetan artifacts for museum collections and exhibitions in
various European cities.
•While in Lhasa, was creative rug-designer with Khawachen Handicraft
Centre; establlised the "Gangchen" line of Tibetan carpets in the
international market.
•singer and passionate and elegant dancer of Salsa, Merengue, Tango,
classical Indian and Tibetan folk dance.
PASSAGE TEACHERS and CONSULTANTS
 Dr. Aruna
Uprety
--home-stay.
--active in women’s/children’s issues.
--Saviour of trafficked girls- founded Rural Health and Education
Trust in 1995
--lived/worked with Afghan women in Kabul in the aftermath of the US-led
war against the Talibaan.
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TIBETAN MEDICINE-
N.P. Lama,
known more commonly by his title of "Amchi-la" (translation:
Respected Doctor)
Director of Shelkar Tibetan Medical Institute, Boudha, Kathmandu
•B.S. degree in Botany, B.A.S.M. from the Indian
Institute of Alternative Medicine.
•Studied Tibetan medicine from several famous Tibetan Amchis, i
including the late Dr. Tenzin Choedak, senor physician to The Dalai Lama.
•translated many works, including "A Clear Mirror of Tibetan Medicinal
Plants"
written by Dr. Dawa, Medical Director and a doctor to The Dalai Lama.
 AYURVEDIC
MEDICINE -
Dr. Rishi Koirala M.D. (Ay.)
Ayurveda physician and director: Ayurveda Health Home (Kathmandu.
•expertise is in patient care, research, herb cultivation and
preservation, and natural cosmetics.
•Ayurvedic physician at the Ayurvedic Hospital in Kathmandu, as well as
consulting at three private clinics.
•holds positions with the Council of Ayurvedic Medicine, Nepal Health
Research Council, Himalayan Ayurveda Research Institute, Ayurvedic
pharmaceutical companies, and the Ayurvedic faculties of the Tribhuvan and
Mahendra Sanskrit Universities.
•has published numerous articles on Ayurveda
•has visited Europe and the Far East to educate and treat people.
Hubert Decleer
•history and European literature from the
Regent School in Ghent, Belgium
•oriental philosophy and history from the University of Louvain
•PhD thesis, Kathmandu’s Tribuvan University
•pursued classical Tibetan and Buddhist studies
•has worked as a fine arts apprentice, art critic, language instructor,
and translator
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Anil Chitrakar -the Man behind
ECCA-Environmental Camps for
Conservation Awareness
•trained in the United States as an engineer and energy planner
•implement the National Conservation Strategy for Nepal, and
•developed an ecologically sustainable, hydro-power project for Nepal.
•received an Ashoka Fellowship for launching Environmental Camps for
•launched the Kathmandu 2020 campaign aimed at envisioning and attaining a
better future for Kathmandu by mobilizing its residents.
•ventured funds for environmental groups with support from USAID.
•one of the 100 “Global Leaders for Tomorrow” awardees.-1993
  
Rabindra Puri-LectureR-Sculpture/ Nepali
Art History-
Dept.Art and Design Kathmandu University, Bhaktapur, Nepal.
authority in Hindu/Buddhist art and architecture,conservation.
UNESCO Award for Model
House Project (2004-2005).
Tenzin Tinley Lama
Tibetan language Teacher and culture
• University of Wisconsin 1987 2001
• Tribhuvan University 1992-1999
• Naropa University(CO)1994- 2001
• Shedrub Monastery1997-2001
• Trinity College (CT) 1999-2001
• Cornell University, NY 2001-2003
• University of Virginia-2004-2005
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Sushila Bhuju - Nepali Language
Teacher
Consultant for cultural Studies
2000, 1993-97: Sojourn Nepal
1995-98: Global Routes Program
1994-97: Insight Nepal
1993-96: Team Nepal
1992-97: Intercultural Training & Research Centre
1992: School for Partnership Worldwide
1991, 1995-96: Volunteer Service
Nepali folk dance instructor:
Nepali cooking: Passage and University of Wisconsin’s College Year in
Nepal program.
COORDINATORS
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Programs begin with our gifted Coordinators. They are well traveled,
knowledgeable and have a strong connection to the region in which they
work, fluent in the local languages, customs and traditions. Combined with
student interests, each program is molded by their specific expertise and
passions. Their commitment to experiential education enables students to
shape their own learning.
Phuntsok Nymo is a Tibetan language teacher. He also teaches at
Shedra, the Centre for Buddhist Studies based in Kathmandu. He fled from
Tibet when he was 13, crossing over the Thang-la Pass into Nepal along
with 20 other refugees. He traveled on to Dharamsala, India and attended
school at TCV (Tibetan Children’s Village), an educational institute
started by His Holiness for Tibetan refugee kids.
Dawa Dhondup has been teaching Tibetan for five years. He also
designs Tibetan furniture and plays dramyen, the Tibetan guitar. He
travels to remote Dolpa in the far northwest of Nepal every summer for a
6-month teaching stint.
Manjul Nepal teaches Nepali and is a well-known Nepali poet and
lyricist. Very active in the literary scene of Kathmandu, he is also
involved with theater.
Angyal Gurung, from the Lower Mustang district of Nepal, runs a
guesthouse in Jharkot village. His knowledge of the district and
involvement in community development make him an invaluable resource for
students.
Kishore Gurung lives in Darjeeling and owns the town's most
professional travel agency. He is an expert on the region's history, flora
and fauna.
Devendra Pandey (Bantu), from Varanasi, holds an advanced degree in
Sociology and Statistics from Banaras Hindu University. Currently, he is
also working on a Masters in Music at BHU, concentrating on the Indian
drum known as Tabla, an instrument he has been playing for over 14 years.
Bantu has many years of experience working with study abroad programs and
is a fount of knowledge on Varanasi.
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