What are we here for? It’s a question we all come back to from time to time – when there’s a gap in the pressures of ‘everyday’.

It’s a big one – especially if you think that you are only on this earth but once. It’s relevant – in a slightly different way – even if you may be back again (and again). But we can save the very serious philosophical discussions to another day.

For now, we can acknowledge that we are all different (thank goodness) and our ambitions go in a wonderful variety of directions – academic, spiritual, commercial, artistic, humanitarian …

But I suggest that something that most of us share is a wish to ‘do our best’, ‘make the most of our opportunities’ and ‘contribute as much as we can’. Our focus is most often on selecting courses or employment which appears most relevant to our priorities – learning more and gaining good experience.

The prospect of satisfaction along the way is one of the things that keeps us going. We can see when we have got to grips with an important element of a course (or a fresh demand in the world of work) and see that taking us further towards our current goals. Very important to sustaining motivation.

But may I invite you to consider the value of the opportunities which are within reach though not core to a current course or employment? Sure, there is not time to entertain every distraction, but I suggest that there will be many which you could value. I’m thinking of the chance to travel and explore – even locally and briefly; to meet strangers, interact and begin to understand cultures which are unfamiliar; to develop skills – sporting perhaps or artistic – which are new to you.

These thoughts are particularly relevant if you are away from home and surrounded by the ‘unfamiliar’. So much that you can experience, learn from and build into your life skills. Not just recreation but the potential for growth.

Which and why? There will be some things in the back of your mind in a life called ‘I wish I knew more about that’. There will be more which you have never heard of nor thought much about. From time-to-time opportunities pop up – maybe through personal contacts, maybe by happenstance – which give you the chance to explore something new. They offer fresh stimuli and possible long-term benefit.

If you are in the UK or in many of the continental European countries, consider contacting the local friendship society (e.g. The Bhutan Society of the UK). You will find them welcoming and well connected. You can find listings of such friendship societies and all Honorary Consuls at www.mfa.gov.bt. Consider visits to other parts of countries you visit particularly if locals or Bhutanese can host you. Don’t forget to seek out, where you can, advice and experience from Bhutanese who have studied or worked (or are now in) countries where you are going. Eyes wide open for things to explore.

So, I argue strongly in favour of the extra-curricular to be fitted in and around your core pursuits – very likely to broaden perspectives and provide much refreshment.