Bishnu Sharma
A cold gentle breeze touched my cheeks as I stepped out of the taxi in Paro, the serene valley of rice. It was the month of July 2023, and I had come all the way from Chhukha, carrying dreams and quiet excitement for what lay ahead. As someone coming out of school recently without much experience about the outer world, a wave of nervousness washed over me, a mixture of excitement and fear at the same time. Paro College of Education, majestically resting at the bank of Pa-chhu, rose before me, my new home, and it was a cluster of traditional Bhutanese buildings nestled against the backdrop of towering, pine-covered hills. With every second passing by, the air became thicker with the scent of woodsmoke and damp earth from the recent rain that poured all weeks, a far cry from the familiar bustle of my hometown.
As I walked in, the college courtyard was busy with a lot of activities which I was not anticipating to be honest. Students, dressed in their ghos and kiras and their voices were soothing and melodic hum of Dzongkha and mostly the Tsangla language into the ear for a new comer like me. I felt a sense of uneasiness into this very new experience and the new encounter, but innocently thanked my god and family for all that I was going to receive hereafter.
Hesitantly, I approached a group of students chatting near the registration table. They greeted me with warm smiles and genuine curiosity, asking about my background and what brought me to Paro. Their openness immediately put me at ease and one of the senior councilors, a kind-faced boy, volunteered to be my guide, showing me and escorting me to my new home from now, hostel at Nangkar-Choeling Campus.
As we walked, he shared stories about college life – the challenges of the curriculum, and the deep sense of community that permeated the institution. Paro College of Education is not just about academic learning, but it is also about cultivating a commitment to service, compassion, and the Gross National Happiness (GNH) philosophy that guides our beautiful country.
After I settled at my new hostel, the orientation ceremony was held in a large hall popularly known as Manjushree Hall. The air giggled with anticipation as faculty members, along with Deans and senior councilors and the new students who were uncertain about the atmosphere waited for their welcome notes and familiarization. The President, Dr Dorji Thinley (PhD), with a gentle smile, addressed us with a heartfelt speech about the importance of education, the values of the college, and the responsibility we have to shape the future of Bhutan as a teacher in near future. With his words, I was moved deeply and realized how lucky for getting enrolled in one of the best colleges in Bhutan, igniting a sense of purpose within me.
After completing the orientation and getting familiar with the campus, the fresh morning gradually gave way to evening. I stood in the college courtyard, watching the sun slowly set behind the mountains, coloring the sky in shades of orange, pink, and purple. The air was calm, and the only sound was the soft flutter of prayer flags near Manjushree. My nervousness had eased, replaced by a growing sense of comfort and excitement for the journey ahead. All in all, my first day at Paro College of Education was more than just the beginning of my academic journey – it marked the start of a deep personal transformation. I felt certain that this beautiful college, nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, would shape me in ways I could not yet imagine, teaching me not only about education, but also about life, purpose, and true happiness. I only hope that my years here will be as special and meaningful as the sunlight that brightens the world.