Photojournalism Internship: Progressive Report from Bhutan Foundation

This progressive report details a student's photojournalism internship experience in Bhutan, focusing on the Civil Society Development Program (CSDP) under the Bhutan Foundation and the Royal University of Bhutan. The report outlines the program's objectives, including capacity building, training in management and finance, and contributing to civil society. The internship involved working with professionals like Sophie Kobiyashi, Ramesh Kulshreshta, and Dinu Kadhka, enhancing the student's knowledge of the Bhutanese media landscape. The report reflects on the virtual learning environment at the university, the support received, and the experience of collaborating on projects such as documenting child labor. The conclusion emphasizes the practical application of learned skills and acknowledges the contributions of professors and mentors throughout the internship.

Running head: PROGRESSIVE REPORT
Progressive report on “Photojournalism in Bhutan”
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

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PROGRESSIVE REPORT
Table of contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................2
Part 1..............................................................................................................................2
The program in which I worked.................................................................................2
Chapter 1- An insight into Civil Society Program.....................................................2
Location......................................................................................................................3
Support provided by the Foundation..........................................................................3
Chapter 2- Service of photojournalism......................................................................4
Royal University of Bhutan.......................................................................................4
Grounds of association...............................................................................................4
Looking back..............................................................................................................4
Chapter 3- People with whom I worked.....................................................................5
Tutor...........................................................................................................................5
Other professionals.....................................................................................................5
The trainees’ portraits.................................................................................................5
Conclusion......................................................................................................................6
References......................................................................................................................7

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PROGRESSIVE REPORT
Introduction
Photojournalism is a branch of journalism, picturizing the inner thoughts, feelings and
emotions of a journalist. The images act as a keystone for making the audience acquainted
with the main subject matter. Modern version of journalism includes video presentations,
adding to the entertainment of the audience (Petrowitz, 2013). This assignment would
produce a reflective progressive report on internship on photojournalism in the threshold of
Bhutan.
Part 1
The program in which I worked
The first part of the internship report narrates the two associations, which provided me
with the opportunity to complete my internship. The part is subdivided into three chapters.
The first chapter would talk about the institution, where I got admitted into the
photojournalism program. The second chapter would describe the association, which
organized internship programs. It is in this chapter that technical aspects would find an
important place. This would be the starting point of the third chapter, where I would be
shedding light on my colleagues, who helped me in completing my internship.
Chapter 1- An insight into Civil Society Program
Civil Society Development Program (CSDP) is a non-profit project of Bhutan
Foundation, working towards achieving community development. The program is not exactly
a subsidy of the Bhutan government, although it avails many benefits through the
governmental assistance. As a matter of specification, the program focuses on the challenges,
which hamper the process of development (Bhutanfound.org, 2018). The program serves the
clients and the customers in the areas of education, health and governance. Hard efforts of the

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PROGRESSIVE REPORT
skilled and efficient professionals results in the provision of quality services for the
community people. The major drive behind this is the donations from the clients and
customers. The objectives of the program are:
 Facilitation of capacity building through collaboration
 Hiring professionals for providing training to the staffs regarding management,
finance, fundraising and public relations
 Contribute towards forming proficient civil sector society
 Establishing forums for disseminating important information related to the
community building
The business partners of the program are World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Lhomon Society,
Bhutan Media Foundation among others (Bhutanfound.org, 2018).
Location
The program is a part of the Bhutan Foundation, whose headquarters is in Thimpu,
Bhutan. Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan, occupying a major portion of the interior parts in
the western region. Predominance of Buddhist sites adds to the popularity of the city. Bhutan
is known as the Land of Thunder Dragon, however, it believes in increasing happiness and
satisfaction in one’s life. 80% of the population resides in the remote areas, which makes the
development process difficult. Herein lays the effectiveness of the development schemes like
Civil Society Development Program, which helps in achieving sustainable development in
case of the community members.
Support provided by the Foundation
Logging into the website of Bhutan Foundation, I found about the schemes and
projects, which worked towards the development of the community people. I contacted the
office people for gaining information regarding the internship program. The staff was very

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polite in his conversation, which helped me in understanding everything. He told me to visit
the office for verification of the documents and filling the form. I found the staffs very
cooperative, which increased my urge to work with the foundation (Bhutanfound.org, 2018).
Chapter 2- Service of photojournalism
Royal University of Bhutan
The university has achieved accolades and glory by providing quality education to the
students. As a matter of specification, the university has enough in store for the clients and
the customers- journal and research papers, newsletters, access to the libraries and virtual
learning environment. I found the virtual learning program very attractive. I chose
photojournalism for my internship. I would like to acknowledge the support of Sophie
Kobashi for extending valuable assistance. He was my guide, mentor and philosopher
throughout my internship program (Rub.edu.bt, 2018).
Grounds of association
The specificity of the university lies in the virtual learning environment. The foreign
students are benefitted through the lectures provided by the professors. The classrooms in the
first floor of the university are spacious enough, which helps in accommodating all of the
students. There are libraries adjacent to the classrooms, which helped in making most of the
leisure times.
Looking back
Throughout the internship program, I had a thrilling experience. I extend my gratitude
to the staffs and the professors for giving me the chance to enhance my career establishment.
They were cooperative in their approach, which made it easier for me to clarify my doubts.
Diversity in the courses is the main point for selecting this university over others. The

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educative environment of the university lured me. I feel the online access to the journals,
papers and libraries popularizes the brand image of the university worldwide.
Chapter 3- People with whom I worked
Tutor
I wonder at the work spirit of Sophie Kobiyashi, a graceful lady of 75. She had
completed her masters from Royal University of Bhutan. Her specialization was community
development. Besides, she engaged with a news channel in 2000. This was a online news
portal, which was founded in the year 1999. Her dedication, commitment and perseverance
towards photography made her a master in the field of photojournalism. She is currently
sending journal entries for the portal.
Other professionals
I would like to extend my gratitude to Sophie Kobiyashi for making me acquainted
with the different fields of journalism. Along with this, I would also like to acknowledge the
efforts of Ramesh Kulshreshta and Dinu Kadhka for exposing me to the Bhutanese media
world. Dinu is one of the famous local landscape photographers. He is known for his
photography in the Himalayan region. This is because he grew up in this area. Regarding
Ramesh Kulshreshta, I fell short of words. He is one of the famous documentary makers. In
all of his documentaries, there is a social message for the people. Interacting with these
personalities helped me in enhancing my knowledge regarding the media professionals and
journalists.
The trainees’ portraits
In order to maintain the privacy of candidates like me, portraits was needed. The
presence of numerous candidates intensified the competition for testing the professional
skills. Mariam was the girl from Canada, with whom I indulged in partnership for completing

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the experiment. She taught photography to the students besides completing her studies. We
started with the project of child labor. The intensity of the issue compelled me us to use
photography for making the people aware about it.
Conclusion
This report emerges successful in providing an insight into the internship program,
which I completed. Along with this, the report also provides an acknowledgement to the
professors, who supported me in completing the internship course. Sketching the tutor’s
portrait indicates my capability to implement the learnt skills into the execution of the duties
and responsibilities. All the professors worked hard to enhance the preconceived skills,
abilities and knowledge.

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References
Bhutanfound.org (2018), About us, Retrieved 3rd June 2018 from https://bhutanfound.org/
Blitz, B. K., & Lynch, M. (Eds.). (2011). Statelessness and citizenship: A comparative study
on the benefits of nationality. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Brown, B. G., Chaudhari, L. S., Curtis, E. K., & Schulz, L. (2018). Service-Learning with
Tibetan Refugees in India: A Small University's Experience. Journal of Higher
Education Outreach and Engagement, 22(1), 7-34.
Curran, J. (2003). » Global Journalism. A Case Study of the Inter-net «in: Nick
Couldry/James Curran,(Hg.), Contesting Media Power. Alternative Media in a
Networked" World, Lanham ua, 227-241.
Hjorth, L., Pink, S., Sharp, K., & Williams, L. (2016). Screen Ecologies: Art, media, and the
environment in the Asia-Pacific region. MIT Press.
Petrowitz, S. (2013). The Traveling Photographer: A Guide to Great Travel Photography.
Rocky Nook, Inc..
Ravi, B. K. (2013). New media order for a safe South Asia. Academic Research
International, 4(2), 143.
Rub.edu.bt (2018), About us, Retrieved 3rd June 2018 from http://www.rub.edu.bt/