Learning from the Princess of Bhutan

Abstract

Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck, came to visit Japan from 2017 October 21st to 27th, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the relationship between the Kingdom of Bhutan and Kyoto University. I was to assist Her Royal Highness as a Japanese/English interpreter, and made sure her and her party's demands were met. This was initially a daunting and intimidating task for me. However, this feeling began to dissipate as I got to know the princess, allowing me to get a more detailed picture of how wonderful a person she is, and how I could learn from her. Through the grace and kindness of Her Royal Highness and the positive optimism of her and her party, I began to get a better understanding of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Meeting and being with Her Royal Highness and the rest of the group, they thoroughly embodied the policy of Bhutan's Gross National Happiness (GNH).