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About Sikkim...
Until the 1970s,
Sikkim
was ruled by Buddhist kings and enjoyed its secluded position, nestled between
Tibet
,
Nepal
,
Bhutan
and
India
.
In 1975 the King decided that for its own benefit and protection, the country should become part of neighbouring
India
. The people are still fiercely protective of Sikkimese culture and their strategic borders. This is reflected in the law restricting tourists and volunteers to spending only two months of each year in
Sikkim
.
Sikkim
is famed for its tea and towering mountains. The third highest peak in the world, Kanchenzunga, is very near the school. Most of
Sikkim
is well above 2000m in altitude, and the steep valleys and raging rivers create a cool climate and a luscious green environment, in contrast to the rest of
India
.
 There are three main cultures in
Sikkim
.
They are; the indigenous Lepcha tribe whose traditions remain very strong, the Bhutias, who came from
Tibet
in the 1600s to seek religious freedom for their Red Hat sect of Buddhism, and the many Nepali settlers came in the 1800s to work on tea estates. Nepali is the official language of
Sikkim
but many people speak excellent English. The students at SHA are taught in English and enjoy practicing their language skills with volunteers.
Sikkim
is a magical land of amazing natural beauty – rolling green hills, white water rivers and mystical snowy peaks. The people are friendly, smiling and almost untouched by the Western world. Few tourists visit Sikkim but the ones who do consider themselves lucky.
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