Isle Program records

Founded in 1982, the Intercollegiate Sri Lanka Education (ISLE) program offers students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Sri Lanka’s rich cultural and historical landscape. Established to foster a deeper understanding of South Asia, the program facilitates student participation in Sri Lanka’s multicultural environment, including its social, political, and academic spheres. The ISLE Center, located near the University of Peradeniya, serves as the heart of the program, housing the library, office, and living quarters for the faculty director and program assistants. Dr. Sree Padma of Bowdoin College, the program's administrative director, was instrumental in coordinating the program’s operations, collaborating with the faculty board to ensure the effective planning and execution of the program.

Sri Lanka’s history is marked by centuries of foreign influence and resistance movements, which have shaped its cultural and religious identity. From the arrival of Buddhism in the 3rd century BCE, to the subsequent colonization by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, Sri Lanka’s religious landscape has been influenced by a range of beliefs, including Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. The Tamil resistance movement, which arose in response to political and cultural marginalization, further added to the complexity of Sri Lanka’s national identity, culminating in the Sri Lankan Civil War (1983-2009). ISLE students gained valuable insight into these historical dynamics, offering them a comprehensive understanding of Sri Lanka's past and its impact on contemporary society.

In recent years, the ISLE program has undergone significant changes. It is no longer administered at Bowdoin College but has been integrated into the Butler Study Abroad program, under the broader umbrella of IFSA (Institute for Study Abroad). The IFSA Butler Study in Sri Lanka program maintains the original spirit of ISLE by providing students with the opportunity to study at the University of Peradeniya and engage with the island’s diverse cultures, languages, and communities. Students can enroll in courses across a variety of disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, while also participating in local internships, volunteering, and cultural excursions.