Summer Enrichment Program
Machik’s Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) is an innovative and dynamic summer learning program for Tibetan youth in Tibet. As the first peace and reconciliation program for young people in Tibet, SEP emphasizes deep listening, life-long learning, community service, and engagement for change. Building on a network of Tibetan, Chinese, and global volunteers, SEP fosters mutual understanding and respect. Since 2004, SEP has directly served over 600 Tibetan students in Tibet and worked with over 170 volunteers. Since the founding of SEP, other similar programs in Tibet have been modeled on this program. Currently, this program is on hold while we plan for future locations.
SEP 2013 in Tso Ngonpo, Amdo (Qinghai Lake). Students, volunteer teachers, and guest speakers, including Pema Tseden and Hashi Tashi Dorje.
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2014
SEP in Chungba, Kham |
2013
SEP in TsoNgonpo, Amdo |
2012
SEP in Kunming |
HISTORY
SEP originated out of the desire to provide enriched educational opportunities to the students of the Chungba Primary School. In 2004, the first SEP began when Machik’s co-founder, Dr. Tashi Rabgey, began teaching English every day, first to the teachers at the Chungba School, and then soon after to the students as well. Students were taught in the afternoons, and so teachers’ classes went late into the late evenings. The zest to learn was palpable from day one. Since then, SEP expanded to convene rural Tibetan youth from across the Tibetan Plateau. It is the first program in Tibet that convenes young people from across Tibet and also brings volunteer teachers from top universities from around the world. Our volunteer-teacher network has also grown to include over 170 Tibetan, Chinese, and global citizens. Meet some of our talented and dedicated volunteers here.
SEP originated out of the desire to provide enriched educational opportunities to the students of the Chungba Primary School. In 2004, the first SEP began when Machik’s co-founder, Dr. Tashi Rabgey, began teaching English every day, first to the teachers at the Chungba School, and then soon after to the students as well. Students were taught in the afternoons, and so teachers’ classes went late into the late evenings. The zest to learn was palpable from day one. Since then, SEP expanded to convene rural Tibetan youth from across the Tibetan Plateau. It is the first program in Tibet that convenes young people from across Tibet and also brings volunteer teachers from top universities from around the world. Our volunteer-teacher network has also grown to include over 170 Tibetan, Chinese, and global citizens. Meet some of our talented and dedicated volunteers here.
Photography class by filmmaker and photographer Khashem Gyal.
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Students learning the power of storytelling.
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Drs. Tashi & Losang Rabgey with Professor Palmo Tso who mentored SEP students for three days.
PROGRAM
Machik's Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) promotes learning and leadership for young Tibetans from remote and rural regions of Tibet. The program is also a unique service learning opportunity for Tibetan, Chinese, and global volunteers. Students and volunteers engage in a combination of classroom and extracurricular activities for four weeks each summer. Each year Tibetan students receive daily instruction in classes ranging from English as a foreign language and further training in Tibetan language. The Chinese and global volunteers also learn Tibetan from the Tibetan volunteers and students. It is empowering for Tibetan students from rural areas to be among the language teachers to volunteers from universities such as Harvard, Duke, Cornell, Beijing University, Fudan, University of Toronto, NYU, and so on. In the afternoons, students have elective courses and the subjects offered vary by year with the knowledge base and experience of the volunteer teachers. SEP also creates new encounters by connecting Tibetan, Chinese, and global youth to dynamic civic leaders in Tibet. This interaction - between today's leaders and the younger generation - ushers new ideas and pathways for young adults. From award-winning Tibetan filmmakers and leading conservationists to innovative artists, the stories at SEP bring fresh perspectives. In combination with film screenings, mentoring/reflection sessions, and other team-building activities, SEP activities build new bridges of connection and understanding among the participants.
Machik's Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) promotes learning and leadership for young Tibetans from remote and rural regions of Tibet. The program is also a unique service learning opportunity for Tibetan, Chinese, and global volunteers. Students and volunteers engage in a combination of classroom and extracurricular activities for four weeks each summer. Each year Tibetan students receive daily instruction in classes ranging from English as a foreign language and further training in Tibetan language. The Chinese and global volunteers also learn Tibetan from the Tibetan volunteers and students. It is empowering for Tibetan students from rural areas to be among the language teachers to volunteers from universities such as Harvard, Duke, Cornell, Beijing University, Fudan, University of Toronto, NYU, and so on. In the afternoons, students have elective courses and the subjects offered vary by year with the knowledge base and experience of the volunteer teachers. SEP also creates new encounters by connecting Tibetan, Chinese, and global youth to dynamic civic leaders in Tibet. This interaction - between today's leaders and the younger generation - ushers new ideas and pathways for young adults. From award-winning Tibetan filmmakers and leading conservationists to innovative artists, the stories at SEP bring fresh perspectives. In combination with film screenings, mentoring/reflection sessions, and other team-building activities, SEP activities build new bridges of connection and understanding among the participants.
2012 SEP in Kunming. Bilingual schedule for language classes for students and teachers, elective courses, and evening programs.
STUDENTS
Many students in rural Tibet do not typically have access to enrichment programs like SEP. At SEP, we strive to reach bright and engaged young Tibetans from some of the most remote regions across the Tibetan plateau. A small number of students are from urban areas, but the great majority come from subsistence farming and herding families. Students range from ages 14 to 18 and every year over 50% of selected students at SEP are girls. The diversity of students - regional, linguistic, gender, economic, social - are fundamental to our approach to building understanding through shared learning and experiences.
Many students in rural Tibet do not typically have access to enrichment programs like SEP. At SEP, we strive to reach bright and engaged young Tibetans from some of the most remote regions across the Tibetan plateau. A small number of students are from urban areas, but the great majority come from subsistence farming and herding families. Students range from ages 14 to 18 and every year over 50% of selected students at SEP are girls. The diversity of students - regional, linguistic, gender, economic, social - are fundamental to our approach to building understanding through shared learning and experiences.
2013 SEP. Classes in tents with Tibetan, Chinese, & global teachers.
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2013 SEP. Students engaging in grassroots education.
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VOLUNTEERS
The SEP volunteer-teacher team includes Tibetan, Chinese, and global citizens. Although volunteers generally tend to be university students, we accept volunteers from a diverse range of backgrounds and professions. Volunteers work together in teams to co-teach and assist in 1-3 classes. When not teaching, volunteers help mentor students and assist with other program activities. Daily reflection sessions are a vital aspect of the growth of volunteers who are also on a learning journey.
The SEP volunteer-teacher team includes Tibetan, Chinese, and global citizens. Although volunteers generally tend to be university students, we accept volunteers from a diverse range of backgrounds and professions. Volunteers work together in teams to co-teach and assist in 1-3 classes. When not teaching, volunteers help mentor students and assist with other program activities. Daily reflection sessions are a vital aspect of the growth of volunteers who are also on a learning journey.
2016 SEP in Gyaltang, Kham (Zhongdian). Diverse volunteer teachers at a daily reflection meeting to discuss their own growth and student progress.
HISTORY
SEP originated out of the desire to provide enriched educational opportunities to the students of the Chungba Primary School. In 2004, the first SEP began when Machik’s co-founder, Dr. Tashi Rabgey, began teaching English every day, first to the teachers at the Chungba School, and then soon after to the students as well. Students were taught in the afternoons, and so teachers’ classes went late into the late evenings. The zest to learn was palpable from day one. Since then, SEP expanded to convene rural Tibetan youth from across the Tibetan Plateau. It is the first program in Tibet that convenes young people from across Tibet and also brings volunteer teachers from top universities from around the world. Our volunteer-teacher network has also grown to include over 170 Tibetan, Chinese, and global citizens. Meet some of our talented and dedicated volunteers here.
SEP originated out of the desire to provide enriched educational opportunities to the students of the Chungba Primary School. In 2004, the first SEP began when Machik’s co-founder, Dr. Tashi Rabgey, began teaching English every day, first to the teachers at the Chungba School, and then soon after to the students as well. Students were taught in the afternoons, and so teachers’ classes went late into the late evenings. The zest to learn was palpable from day one. Since then, SEP expanded to convene rural Tibetan youth from across the Tibetan Plateau. It is the first program in Tibet that convenes young people from across Tibet and also brings volunteer teachers from top universities from around the world. Our volunteer-teacher network has also grown to include over 170 Tibetan, Chinese, and global citizens. Meet some of our talented and dedicated volunteers here.
Map of SEP programs held in different locations in Tibet and China.
SEP 2013. Pema Tseden, Tibet's leading filmmaker, screened a film and spoke to students from across Tibet and to a diverse group of volunteer teachers.