BCF Teachers Arrive in Bhutan!

After months of preparation, the BCF Class of 2012 has finally arrived in Bhutan! Today is the first day of a 10 day orientation in the capital city of Thimphu, after which begins a multi-day road trip across the country to drop the teachers off at their new schools.

Orientation is an important time for new teachers - it's a time to acclimitize to a new country, a new elevation and a new culture, a time to get to know the Thimphu office staff, a time to bond with fellow teachers, many of whom will be sources of support throughout the year, and a time to stock up on all of the supplies needed for a year in the field.

Although we can't experience orientation alongside our new teachers, we thought it might be fun to share some of the topics they will be discussing and experiences they will be having over the two weeks. We'll begin by introducing you to the city where they are all staying, the capital of Thimphu.

Dubbed "The Happiness Capital of the World," Thimphu is both the capital city and the largest city in Bhutan, with a population of roughly 80,000 people.  It is situated in the western central part of the country, approximately one hour drive from Paro airport.


View Larger Map


Thimphu also serves as the political capital of Bhutan, with the National Assembly of the newly formed parliamentary democracy of Bhutan residing in the city, as well as Dechencholing Palace, the official residence of His Majesty, the King.

Local agriculture, livestock and tourism serve as large contributors to the country's GNP, making the Thimphu region an economic hub in Bhutan.

Although Thimphu is a major stop for most tourists to Bhutan, until recently, they did not have a tourist map. Fortunately for them, a young Canadian (and friend of BCF!) named Andrea, offered up her skills to create one. The map highlights main points of interest in Thimphu and can be used by both visitors and locals alike.

Tourist Map of Thimphu

You can read more about the process of creating the map HERE. 

For the next ten days, the new BCF class of teachers will call Thimphu home as they take language classes, review the Bhutanese curriculum standards, and meet with various ministries and government officials. Even when they have departed for their respective placements, Thimphu will continue to serve as an important point of contact, and source for luxuries like peanut butter, chocolate and rolled oats!