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Effective Refugee Relations in McLeod Ganj Dharamsala
A Field Study Proposal
Statement of Intent:
I.I propose to research the substantiality of assimilating mid-aged Tibetan refugees. If possible,
my informant population will be refugees who moved voluntarily from China within the past ten
years, ages thirty to fifty-five. I hope to find informants whose move to India was based upon
incentives, for example: to provide their children with a better education, to become educated
themselves, or possibly to receive the monthly stipend granted by the Central Tibetan
Administration (CTA). Upon locating this population I will research three main questions: What
are a few of the expectations, or goals, of incoming mid-aged Tibetan refugees? What does the
CTA expect to provide for these refugees with such an extensive assimilation program? And,
how are effectively are the two parties working together? I believe we have plenty to learn from
Tibetans and I’m impressed by the thoroughness of the Tibetan government-in-exile’s refugee
programs. However I’d like to understand the full story and background behind these
organizations before I start to idealize, or adopt, principles from them in my own life.
II.I hope this field study makes me more appreciative of global cultures. Our world is continually
shrinking because of globalization and often it seems cultures clash. Yet, my experience has
taught me that interacting with other societies allows us to see from a different perspective,
which is a vital tool when working together. My major is international relations and my minor
international development, I don’t know where I’ll end up but I hope I’m open minded enough
to appreciate it when I get there. Dharamasala will be a good training ground.
III.The academic intent of this field study is to see how effectively the Tibetan government and
refugees can work together. Dharamasala is a unique place with an extremely focused agenda.
How does the government’s agenda help refugees to accomplish their own agendas? Has this
agenda altered the goals/visions of those who move from China to India?
Methodology/Procedures:
I.Entering the community is a new experience. I’ll be living with a host family which I believe will
be a great resource to answer basic questions about the community. I will tell them what I’m
researching and probably ask them if they have any good ideas about places to start. Apart
from my host family, I have a number of experienced contacts in the United States. After
consulting with these contacts, including the Office of Tibet in New York, I will make a list of
agencies that may be useful to visit and possible intern locations. I will pay personal visits to
these locations in order to build up a pool of contacts. Ideally, I would like to intern at one the
three-year transitional schools for mid-aged refugees, a refugee vocational school, or one of the
government organizations responsible for coordinating those educational programs. Approvals
will need to be received from BYU’s IRB, the individuals I interview, and the organizations with
which I will be working.
II.I would like to work with refugees who have moved from China to Dharamasala within the last
ten years, ages thirty to fifty-five, and moved based upon some incentive to improve the quality
of their lives or their children’s lives. When I use the term refugee, I am referring to those
Tibetans who migrated illegally from China of their own free will and choice. Within this
population I would like two different categories, people attending the three-year transitional
schools and people attending the vocational schools. Informants with government positions, or
knowledge, will also be essential. I will need to understand the agenda for new refugees, the
aims for these people, and the ways the government is trying to achieve their goals.
III.Refugees who have immigrated for the main purpose of being closer to family will be excluded
from my study. They will also be excluded if they moved at an age younger than thirty or older
than fifty-five. Those who moved in hopes of increasing their social status or living standards will
be included. I’m not sure how to recruit people for my study, yet. At this point I would like to
get a better idea of which methods will be most effective, I am weighing the options of surveys
versus interviews and so forth.
IV.Still unsure.
Background, Significance, and Literature Review:
I.To be included
Ethics and IRB Approval:
I.Confidentiality, consent, risks/benefits, and sustainability…
a.To maintain confidentiality for those involved I will not include specific names, or other
personal information about informants, in my write-up. I will also refrain from revealing
any specific government/organization facts unless that source gives me explicit
permission.
b.Before interviewing, sampling, or observing anyone I will briefly inform them of my
purpose and ask if it will be okay to include them in my study.
c.Working with the community will help me to minimize risks and maximize benefits. I try
to intern with the organizations that I will need information from, and ask my friends in
the area to help me be sensitive to the customs in Dharamasala. In addition, I will
consult my host family when I am unsure of how to handle any situations.
d.By interning at the schools, I hope to find refugees that can communicate in English. I
assume this will prevent exhausting any one resource.
Preliminary Plans for Post-field Application:
I.This experience will help me to understand what I would like to emphasize in my International
Relations major. I also believe it will help me focus on my future career plans, look good on
graduate school applications, and increase my knowledge of Tibetan culture. I do not know if I
will present, or try to publish, however I’d like to use this project for an honors thesis if
possible.
Qualifications and Limitations:
I.I’m limited by my lack of international and research experience, and I can’t speak Tibetan. If
necessary I will use an interpreter to overcome the language barrier, and preparing adequately
will allow me to have a successful project despite my lack of experience. Hopefully my
qualifications will also be redeeming, possibly my greatest qualifications are the people with
whom I have contact. These are incredible people, with great connections, and I know them.
Apart from these contacts, I have taken introductory classes in international politics and
development, I do have experience interviewing people, and working with different cultures.
Qualifications of Faculty Advisor:
I.My faculty advisor is one of the most experienced people on campus when it comes to
international knowledge. Dave Shuler used to be the Field Study Coordinator, which means he
has been to Dharamasala and knows the territory where I will be going. He is my international
development professor, and has a very long list of qualifications which I will include later.
Justification of In-field Coursework and Faculty:
I.Not sure what coursework I will be doing yet. I have to figure out which classes are available to
complete abroad.
Schedule:
I.Significant Dates…
a.Final Proposal Due: April 11th
b.Arrive in India: approx. June 3rd
c.Depart from India: approx. August 24th
d.Final Paper Due: December 15th
Budget:
I.Costs…
a.Travel: Airline ticket approx. $1200-1500
b.Housing: TBD
c.In-country expenses: TBD
d.Research costs: TBD
II.Funding will consist of whatever scholarships I receive and student loans.
