-Qing Shi, BA student from China

One of the important parts of my experience at Rangjung Yeshe Institute has been learning Tibetan. Before coming here, I knew that Tibetan was important for studying the Dharma, but I did not fully understand what it would feel like to study the language step by step. After joining RYI, Tibetan became part of my daily life in a very practical way.

At the beginning, even simple sentences felt difficult. I had to slowly become familiar with new sounds, grammar, sentence patterns, and ways of thinking. Sometimes I could recognize words in class, but when I heard them spoken naturally, I would suddenly feel lost again. This made me realize that learning a language is not only about memorizing vocabulary. It also requires patience, repetition, and a willingness to make mistakes.

Studying Tibetan at RYI has also helped me feel closer to the Buddhist tradition. Many terms in the Dharma carry layers of meaning that are not always easy to translate. When I learn even a small phrase or a simple grammatical structure, I sometimes feel that I am taking one small step closer to the texts, prayers, and teachings that have been preserved through this language.

Of course, I am still a beginner, and there is a long way to go. But I am grateful for the chance to study Tibetan in an environment where the language is connected not only to academic learning, but also to living Buddhist culture. This has made my time at RYI meaningful in a very concrete way.