Alex
What did you get out of
the experience?
Connection! Within the first
few days of arriving at Likir, it was clear to me that I was in the presence of
beautiful, loving children, totally open to giving love and receiving
love. In other schools where I’ve taught, there were always a few
students that tried to make my life difficult. But Likir (and I would
venture to say, Ladakh) is different. None of the students are
disrespectful, unkind, or even indifferent to you. Each is interested in
you and wants to be around you. They look up to you.
I smiled and laughed more in Ladakh
than in any other place or time in my life. I had less worries and less
stress than ever before. The region radiates peace. I think a large
part of that for me was the students.
In this atmosphere of peace and love,
I had time to pause and consider how I was raised, why my life was so stressful
and agitated, and how I could live differently. Ladakh showed me that
there is a different way to live: a way that is quieter, slower, more
reflective, and with more personal connection between people.
But don’t volunteer if you’re not ready for these
kinds of changes. Don’t volunteer if you’re afraid of what that
experience will do to you. Now that I’ve returned to the US, I’m finding
it difficult to adjust and to continue to live out what I learned and practiced
in Ladakh. Going from a peaceful, slow-paced way of life, in which
there are few if any causes of stress, and in which people are always greeting
you with a friendly smile and the all-inclusive “Julley!”, to a place that’s
the total opposite of that, has caused me to feel a bit disrupted on the
inside."
2015 Volunteer Reviews
Mireille
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Mireile with young monk students, Volunteer Ladakh |
What did you get out of
the experience?
I’ve learnt so much about the Ladakhi culture
I’ve learnt a lot about Buddhism (especially from spending time with your monk friends Kelly)
- I’ve become more peaceful with myself and my environment
- I’ve learnt (or started to learn) to “let go” and accept what comes at
you
- I’ve learnt to do what I want regardless of what people ‘think’ of me
(as a woman, Western, all my actions were scrutinized I think) (while still being respectful
etc)
I’ve been able to think a lot about what I think is important in my
life, now and in the future
- I’ve built relationships with people who I’ll probably never see again
but who I still miss incredibly at this moment
- I’ve experienced living really independently since
there was generally no contact possible with myfamily & friends
I’ve become more conscious about the environment and the effects of
environmental change
- I’ve learnt to see the Western lifestyle from a different
perspective
- I’ve learnt to spend time doing things which are not necessarily
“useful” (hiking, writing, observing)
- I’ve learnt to deal with drawbacks and unexpected events better
- I’ve become more peaceful with myself and my environment
- I’ve learnt (or started to learn) to “let go” and accept what comes at
you
- I’ve learnt to do what I want regardless of what people ‘think’ of me
(as a woman, Western, all my actions were scrutinized I think) (while still being respectful
etc)
I’ve been able to think a lot about what I think is important in my
life, now and in the future
- I’ve built relationships with people who I’ll probably never see again
but who I still miss incredibly at this moment
- I’ve experienced living really independently since
there was generally no contact possible with myfamily & friends
I’ve become more conscious about the environment and the effects of
environmental change
- I’ve learnt to see the Western lifestyle from a different
perspective
- I’ve learnt to spend time doing things which are not necessarily
“useful” (hiking, writing, observing)
- I’ve learnt to deal with drawbacks and unexpected events better
![]() |
Mireille and our monk friends Tashi and Tharchin, Volunteer Ladakh |
![]() |
With Students on Last Day, Volunteer Ladak |
Joshua
In summary, your
experience in a nutshell?
Joshua
In summary, your
experience in a nutshell?
![]() |
Joshua with young nuns, Volunteer Ladakh |
Touching. I know I have gained a lot more from my
time at the nunnery with my students than they have from me. It provided me
with a very positive environment to think and contemplate. Even with the
nearest village being 4 kms away, I never felt lonely. I have visited Leh
before, but I never experienced it like I did during this visit. My only
suggestion to prospective volunteers would be to choose an organization like
Volunteer Ladakh because even though many others offer opportunities that seem
to be similar, they are nothing but glamorous, while the service here is
meaningful. I also know that this experience I had is going to be something
that defines me as a person for the rest of my life. I shall be back again.
Soon.
Joshua shares details of his volunteer experience here
Joshua shares details of his volunteer experience here
![]() |
Joshua with Young Nuns, Volunteer Ladakh |
Ayush
![]() |
Ayush with monklets, Volunteer Ladakh |
What did you get out of
the experience?
I personally believe that what I have gained out of
this experience can never be perfectly captured in words. On the teaching
front, I developed a lot more patience and learned how to deal with various
types of students. And believe me, that place is magical. It gives you those
vibes of positivity and that aura of silence and compassion really changes your
perspective of life. I taught myself how to be content with whatever you have
and how stress is just a function of how ambitious you wish to get in life.
My experience with my family was also
beautiful. We spent so much time together and I was touched by their
immense hospitality and the amount of love they can shower to a guest. Within barely,
5-10 days, I was no more a guest. I was a family member.

Hence, overall, I think I have changed as a person
because of this experience as it taught me how to view life differently and in
a perspective I have never done before.
It is definitely a once in a lifetime experience
and I am glad I did it.
In summary, your experience in a nutshell?
It’s magical. I had always read of stories of those
serene, beautiful places which had an aura of positivity. My school was much
beyond that. Teaching the kids there gave me an immense amount of satisfaction,
of the extent I have never achieved before. And, Ladakh will see me again. The
place is so out of the world that it pulls you to its life and no one can be
content by being there just once. Hats off to Volunteer Ladakh, for making life
changing experiences a reality for so many volunteers!
Prathamesh
What did you get out of
the experience?
Well, I will start with the students. The students were brilliant. They
had very few resources as compared to the other city students yet they were
outstanding in studies. They made me realize something very essential and
simple that happiness has nothing to do with what we have or what we don’t. It
is the state of our mind and that has to be the lesson of my life. They were
always happy in whatever they did and valued everything they had.
While teaching they checked my patience and taught
me to keep my anger at bay. The teachers consider the students as their
children and that is something which was very heartwarming to see. I met
various tourists during my stay there who were from different countries like
Italy, Israel, France, Russia, UK, etc. Everyone had a unique story to tell and
an all together different lesson to teach.
The family I stayed with literally became my family. Sevang didi taught
me how to knit. :D It is really amazing how Ladakhis welcome strangers in their
lives whole heartedly and shower their love and blessings on you without
expecting anything in return. They taught me how to trust people which surely
we people from the city don’t know how to.
This surely was THE experience of my life, one which I will never forget
and one which I learnt a lot from, learnt the basics of live, learnt how to
live a life!
Danny

Danny with a view of his students..
What did you get out of the experience?
It made me realize that I like
teaching, that I want to continue with teaching. Other than that Ladakh is an
amazing place and being able to spend time there with locals, with monks, is
precious. It still brings warmth into my heart thinking about Ladakh and the
people of Ladakh. I never had such a strong reaction to any other place I have
travelled to. I think I am still figuring out what I got out of the experience.
In summary, your experience in a
nutshell?
Teaching in Ladakh taught me something
about myself. It was an unique experience for which I am very grateful. If you
open up to experience Ladakh in all its colours, it will reward you. You will
see something new, experience something you have never experienced before. You
will be richer. Working with the young monks is one of the most rewarding
things I have done in my life. I feel inspired

Well, I will start with the students. The students were brilliant. They
had very few resources as compared to the other city students yet they were
outstanding in studies. They made me realize something very essential and
simple that happiness has nothing to do with what we have or what we don’t. It
is the state of our mind and that has to be the lesson of my life. They were
always happy in whatever they did and valued everything they had.
While teaching they checked my patience and taught
me to keep my anger at bay. The teachers consider the students as their
children and that is something which was very heartwarming to see. I met
various tourists during my stay there who were from different countries like
Italy, Israel, France, Russia, UK, etc. Everyone had a unique story to tell and
an all together different lesson to teach.
The family I stayed with literally became my family. Sevang didi taught
me how to knit. :D It is really amazing how Ladakhis welcome strangers in their
lives whole heartedly and shower their love and blessings on you without
expecting anything in return. They taught me how to trust people which surely
we people from the city don’t know how to.
This surely was THE experience of my life, one which I will never forget
and one which I learnt a lot from, learnt the basics of live, learnt how to
live a life!
Danny
![]() |
Danny with a view of his students.. |
What did you get out of the experience?
It made me realize that I like
teaching, that I want to continue with teaching. Other than that Ladakh is an
amazing place and being able to spend time there with locals, with monks, is
precious. It still brings warmth into my heart thinking about Ladakh and the
people of Ladakh. I never had such a strong reaction to any other place I have
travelled to. I think I am still figuring out what I got out of the experience.
In summary, your experience in a nutshell?
Teaching in Ladakh taught me something
about myself. It was an unique experience for which I am very grateful. If you
open up to experience Ladakh in all its colours, it will reward you. You will
see something new, experience something you have never experienced before. You
will be richer. Working with the young monks is one of the most rewarding
things I have done in my life. I feel inspired
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