Where can I find volunteer opportunities in Bhutan?

Good luck
Bhutan has a highly regulated process for visitors. Check out the Bhutan tourism site: http://www.kingdomofbhutan.com/visitor/visitor_.html
I doubt you’ll find any volunteer opportunities easily.

@Les: I know, hard to get in. I found a few organisations, but I doubt they need/want people my age… Thanks for the link!

You could probably try finding a travel agency or something which specializes in planning vacations to Bhutan. They’d probably be able to tell you what you can and cannot do.

My sister has been to Bhutan, but she is a practicing Buddhist and went on a pilgrimage. The fact that she is also a writer and produced an article for Outside magazine did not prevent her trip, but it wouldn’t have been a good enough reason for Bhutan to have issued her a visa and waived the daily tourism fee.

Are you a Buddhist?

This site has some guidelines. Perhaps at your age you might look into exchange student programs?

@Les: Thanks for your help. I don’t want to say that I’m Buddhist, because it would be too pretentious. I do however believe in most Buddhist teachings, and try to live by the Dharmic teachings.

@SebK – Why would it be pretentious to say you are a Buddhist if you follow the teachings and try to live by them? Isn’t that pretty much what the majority of Buddhists do? Yes, my sister actually considers herself a part of a group that describes themselves as a temple but is really more a group of people who meditate together and go on retreat together and are attempting to buy some land on which to do that.

@Les: I guess you’re right. But I still think there’s much more to learn before I can say I’m a real Buddhist. Plus, I’m still hesitating between Theravada and Vajrayana…

@SebK – My name is Darwin (@Darwin if you are directing a comment to me) – are you talking to me or to @Les?

And even if you are hesitating between precise forms of Buddhism I would say that you are still a Buddhist. My in-laws claim both Buddhist and Episcopalian inclinations, and attempt to follow the teachings of both, where they don’t contradict.

You might be able to contact someone at a Buddhist Temple near you and find out if they have an outreach program for teens.

I think a more positive attitude than I am reading here would a big asset.