Yanik Shrestha
Yanik has been working with study abroad programs since 2002. Besides coordinating Kathmandu-based components of both group and Personal programs, he has assisted in guiding several treks in Nepal and India, for Passage as well as for other trek operators.

He has traveled in the UK, Holland, Germany and extensively in Nepal and India. He participated in the 'No Education: No Freedom, No Opportunity' seminar in Germany, organized by GTZ, on 'whether education should be liberalized or not'.

Taking a keen interest in photography and the arts he has deep passion for music and a background in radio.  He worked in Hits FM 91.2, Kathmandu for over 5 years.  A person with varied interests, he found himself taking up a role in a Nepali teleserial focusing on social issues in Nepal. He had the opportunity to work with two of Nepal’s most acclaimed comedians Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bansha Acharya during the project. He has modeled for TV advertisements and magazines, while also finding time to write. His most recent article on the Kathmandu Jazz Festival was printed in ECS Living.

Michael Smith
Michael is a graduate of Rice University in Religious Studies (Buddhism) and Environmental Policy Studies. He led youth programs in the mountains of New Mexico in 2001 and 2002, and has been coordinating Passage programs since 2004.

In 2006, pursued a course of studies as a Fulbright scholar examining contemporary synthesis of the local Newar Buddhist tradition with Tibetan Buddhism. 

He has also traveled extensively in Tibet, Nepal and Northern India. He writes about his experience living in Nepal and working with Passage at www.kilgoresmith.blogspot.com. Currently Mike is translating a 19th century Buddhist meditation manual.


LANGUAGE COORDINATORS

Manjul Nepal – A well-known Nepali poet and lyricist Manjul teaches Nepali.  Very active in the literary scene of Kathmandu, he is also involved with theater.

Sushila Bhuju – Sushila has many years of teaching experience.  Her unique, very involved teaching style has been a boon to our students.  A fantastic cook and a dancer, Sushila mentors these ISPs.

Phuntsok Nymo – Phunstok is a Tibetan language teacher.  He teaches at Shedra, the Centre for Buddhist Studies based in Kathmandu.  He fled from Tibet when he was 13, crossing over the Thang-la Pass into Nepal along with 20 other refugees.  He traveled on to Dharamsala, India and attended school at TCV (Tibetan Children’s Village), an educational institute started by H.H The Dalai Lama for Tibetan refugee kids.

Thinley Dhundrop – Thinley is an experienced Tibetan language teacher who guides students interested in the Tibetan culture and religion.

Tenzin Tinley Lama - Tenzin is a Tibetan language teacher who was associated with the University of Wisconsin from 1987-2001, Tribhuvan University 1992-1999, Naropa University (CO) 1994- 2001, Shedrub Monastery 1997-2001, Trinity College (CT) 1999-2001, Cornell University, NY 2001-2003 and University of Virginia 2004-2005.

Dawa Dhondup – Dawa has been teaching Tibetan for five years.  He also designs Tibetan furniture and plays dramyen, the Tibetan guitar.   He travels to remote Dolpa in the far northwest of Nepal every summer for a 6-month teaching stint.

Thupten Gyatso – Thupten teaches Tibetan language lessons and introduces Western students to Tibetan traditions and culture.