INSPIRATION DRAWN FROM OUR TWO WEEK INTERSESSION in Bhutan has been in no short supply since the trip concluded in mid-January. Many blogs, photos and videos have been posted detailing the awe derived from Bhutan’s overwhelming natural beauty and intriguing Buddhist culture. Our students were given a period of time to reflect on their trip following the intersession, and our coverage up until recently has been focused on highlighting the media and reflections provided by our faculty and staff members. Student thoughts have been collected, photographs have been manipulated, and videos have been edited, however, and we are now pleased to present “Bhutan’s quest for happiness – a student exhibition.”

The organizing principle behind the planning of the trip was to help introduce TGS students to Bhutan’s unique and innovative approach to planning the next stages of global development, using the four pillars of Gross National Happiness (GNH) as organizing principles. The principle of planning national development around the concept of GNH includes detailed focus on:

1. Environmental Conservation
2. Religion and Cultural Heritage and National Identity
3. Good Governance and new democratic structures of Civic Life
4. Sustainable Economic Development

By focusing on these four organizing principles during the intersession, our students were able to cultivate a deep understanding of Bhutan’s aims as a constitutional monarchy. The media assembled in “Bhutan’s quest for happiness – a student exhibition” presents a digital window into their journey through a country deeply motivated to do right by both its people and the environment. Beneath, you can find a playlist which provides both an introduction (Bhutan and its quest for happiness) to the intersession and a series of four student-produced videos highlighting the different pillars of Gross National Happiness.

“Bhutan’s quest for happiness” is presented on our social learning environment THINK Spot, and comments are encouraged throughout all of the items highlighted in the showcase.

Click the screenshot below to enter “Bhutan’s Quest For Happiness:”

Apple users can additionally download our iTunes U course entitled Bhutan and Gross National Happiness for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch from iTunes.