With a grown-up family and a good life in Ireland, I was eager to try new experiences and give something back. I've always been interested and involved in the world refugee situation and I didn't have to look too long before finding information on E.S.Tibet. I applied to volunteer to teach English for two months in North India at a school for young adult Tibetan refugees.

I arrived in Delhi where I was well looked after in the Tibetan quarters, then got the night bus to Dharamsala. I arrived at 7.30a.m. and was met by Lugyal the school manager on his motorbike and taken to the school in Upper Sukkar with prayer flags flapping in the breeze and twenty-three students and four other teachers having breakfast. I was presented with my own cup and given a room at the bottom of the garden which has the most amazing views of the Himachal mountains that change every day. Introductions to all the smiling faces were made and I wondered how I was going to remember all the strange names.

I rested up for a couple of days then started teaching. I was very impressed with the level of English the students have and also their enthusiasm, sense of humour and dedication to learn. More than once I've thought how much we take free education in the West for granted. The students, aged between twenty and thirty-two years old, are of an age that

could so easily be forgotten or over-looked which is just one reason why E.S.Tibet is such an important project. Its more than a school, it's their home away from home and they each feel part of a family here, and it wasn’t long before I felt the same.

Most mornings we, the teachers, waken to the sound of students reading aloud from their English novels, Sambo singing and the smell of freshly cooked Tingmo (steamed bread). Breakfast often includes a challenge and no-one is exempt, not even the manager who on one occasion had us in stitches at this 'Ballet' performance. We laugh a lot before 8a.m. classes and this ensures a great start to the day. The atmosphere in the school is something that should be experienced and it is both a pleasure and a privilege to be here. I’ve learned so much about Tibet and about the students themselves. On my second week we saw H.H. the Dalai Lama three times and attended three days of his teachings in early June.

Everyone works so hard and diligently but other activities have included an unforgettable camping trip, a tour of the Norbulingka Institute and a great day at the 'Funky town' swimming pool. On Saturday, classes take turns to perform a short drama presentation which is always very entertaining and it's great to see the confidence these performances instil in the quieter

students. 'Momo night' is once a month and everyone is involved. We eat our fill, sing, dance and play games.

It has to be said that the level of English the students have has to be complimented. So much thought, hard work and dedication truly makes the school a role model that schools in the West could learn and benefit from.

I have had one of the most important experiences of my life and I have gained so much from the big 'family' that is E.S.Tibet. I will continue to promote and support the school in any way I can when I go home and I look forward to coming back. I want to say I have the greatest admiration for you all. Thank you Lugyal and all you students. God bless and free Tibet!

By Paula McCullen