NAU Student’s Unique Journey to Bhutan
Honors College student Kyle Hall’s recent trip to Bhutan exemplifies how Northern Arizona University can support distinctive educational experiences. Hall spent a month in the Himalayan kingdom, teaching astronomy and assisting schoolchildren in building a telescope, all while funding his trip through an NAU scholarship.
Building an Independent Program
Hall’s teaching took place at the Druk Gyalpo’s Institute in Paro. Unlike typical study abroad programs, Hall’s opportunity arose through a citizen science project, allowing him to create his own experience from the ground up. He spent most of his time educating middle and high school students about astronomy and working on the project that involved constructing an autonomous telescope designed to search for exoplanets. Although his stay in Bhutan was limited to one month due to visa restrictions, he extended his travels with a solo trip to Thailand and Japan.
Funding His Adventure
The Jacob C. Dottle Summer Research Award, aimed at astronomy students, covered Hall’s travel and living expenses during his time in Bhutan. This funding allowed him to receive a salary while working at the school, for which he expressed gratitude to both the NAU astronomy program and the Dottle family.
Cultural Discoveries and Adjustments
Hall noted significant cultural differences during his time in Bhutan, one of which included the local perspective on seatbelt use—where he was humorously advised that it wouldn’t help in the event of a car going off a cliff. Initially experiencing culture shock, Hall eventually adapted to life in Bhutan. He participated in various local traditions, including a spiritual gesture of prostration at monasteries and singing around campfires.
Personal Connections and Culinary Experiences
Despite occasional homesickness, Hall felt welcomed by the Bhutanese people, which helped him feel at home quickly. He maintained connections with loved ones back in the U.S. through regular phone calls. His culinary experiences were mixed; while he loved Bhutanese-style pakoras, he found curd, or dahi, unexpectedly bitter.
Impact on Future Goals
Hall’s time in Bhutan significantly influenced his academic trajectory. Inspired by this experience, he embarked on a similar journey to Taiwan in summer 2026 to intern at National Taiwan Normal University. This series of international experiences has motivated him to consider applying to graduate school abroad.
Source: Northern Arizona University
