Favorite Destination - Bhutan - SBCC Staff member Jing Liu

As part of our Academic Adventure Blog, we not only feature SBCC students but also Staff and Faculty! The Study Abroad Department is interested in hearing about everyone's favorite destination around the world, this could be a city or country

outside of the United States that you have traveled to and love, or a destination that is still on your bucket list! Today we will be hearing from Jing Liu, our director of international programs!

If you could choose any study abroad destination in the world, what would it be?

Jing Liu: Bhutan!

Bhutan is a landlocked country located in the Eastern Himalayas in South Asia, bordered by China to the north and India to the south!

What courses would you want to take there and why?

Probably a combination of religion, environmental science, economics, sustainability and psychology as relevant to the country! I want to learn more about how the country has intentionally chosen to prioritize collective well-being with the concept of Gross National Happiness Index.

What do you like most about this destination?

I'm definitely drawn to its geographic location and abundant and beautiful nature. And I admire the way it has chosen to approach tourism and protecting its own natural resources and citizens.

If you have been there before, what is something unexpected you learned about this

destination? If you have not been there, what are you looking forward to see or experience there?

I'd look forward to doing some trekking in the mountains. SBCC also has some international students from Bhutan and it'd be cool to see their hometowns and even say hi to their family!

Bhutan truly sounds like a magical place full of natural beauty, inspiring culture and meaningful lessons about happiness and sustainability. Jing’s dream destination reminds us how exciting it is to explore new corners of the world and learn from the people who call them home. We can’t wait to keep sharing more travel dreams and stories from our amazing SBCC community here on the Academic Adventure Blog!