A.J. '18 - Cullman Scholar in Nepal

Dustin Meltzer '05
Created in 1983 by Hugh Cullman '42, the Cullman Scholarship Program supports students in off-campus study opportunities. During the summer of 2017, nine scholarship recipients pursued courses of study in topics ranging from attending the Woodstock School in the foothills of India’s Himalayan Mountains for a semester to hands-on Animal Rehabilitation in South Africa. Recently, A.J. '18 gave a presentation at All School Meeting about his Cullman Scholarship studying mindfulness and meditation in Nepal.
 
Here’s AJ:

I travelled to Kathmandu, Nepal to spend four days touring the city and ten days in a Buddhist monastery. While touring Kathmandu, I visited bustling markets, hiked scenic routes along the hills surrounding Kathmandu Valley, and visited temples and religious monuments.
 
While staying in the Monastery, I got a taste of the monastic lifestyle – waking up at six in the morning, drinking tea, meditating, having rice and soup at meal times, listening to Buddhist teachings, and going to bed around 9:00pm. It was fascinating to learn about Buddhist tradition and sitting for long periods of meditation was a welcome part of each day’s routine.
 
This was my first trip to Asia and it was unlike anything I had ever experienced. Even just walking around the lively city of Kathmandu while gazing at the grand mountains of Nepal was a breathtaking experience and I cannot thank the Cullman Family enough for allowing me this life changing opportunity.
 
A.J.’s advisor, faculty member Tom Kardel recalls, “I was impressed by the fact that he set up this program independently, rather than going through some of the usual student overseas study programs. He reached out the temple to inquire about courses, traveled on his own to Nepal, and looked out for himself for two weeks. It was a formative experience for him.”
 
Thank you, AJ, for sharing your experience and stay tuned for more Cullman Scholarship news!
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