Staying true despite success

"I felt especially lonely on the weekends," she said. "But then I discovered some Tibetan friends, and the school provided support to help us adjust."

As overwhelming as this experience was, it gave Tsering Chugye a newfound appreciation for her unique culture, and she became determined to savor and preserve it at every opportunity. She embraced her nomadic and spiritual roots, and remained connected to the Himalayan landscape of her childhood.

"In my high school years in Shanghai, I came to realize that the world is like a kaleidoscope of cultural diversity," she said. "I took every opportunity to broaden my horizons, keeping up with my studies while actively participating in extracurricular activities."

Through these experiences, Tsering Chugye realized that her Tibetan identity was not a barrier but a bridge — one that fostered deeper cultural understanding and exchanges with other people.

"My identity as a Tibetan girl changed," she said. "No longer was it something that made me different, but rather it was something of great value. I began to ask myself: What can I do with my identity, and how can I contribute?" Her classmates' curiosity about her hometown in the mountains surrounded by Tibetan history inspired Tsering Chugye to organize an event that would introduce them to the region's language, food and traditional dance. With the school's support, the Tibetan Cultural Festival has become an annual tradition at her old high school, fostering cultural appreciation among students.