Youtsa Tamdin Kyab, the first Arasmas student, was born and raised in Amdo, Tibet in the mid-1970s. Tamdin made the journey into exile as a teenager.

He had lived as a monk for several years in Lhasa when an Australian tourist gave him the inspiration to flee with a bundle of strictly forbidden photos of His Holiness and the book My Land My People. Upon arriving in India, Tamdin was accepted to and ultimately excelled at the Tibetan Children's Village School. It was meeting Tamdin and hearing his story that sparked the idea for Arasmas in 1999. With Arasmas funds, Tamdin attended the British High Council in Delhi where he took advanced English and pre-law courses. The founder of Arasmas visited him at his university in November of 2001 and was very impressed with his progress, high spirits, and relentless pursuit of his academic and professional goals. He has since completed his studies and migrated to Europe where he works and lives with a Tibetan community in Belgium. Tamdin's expenses totaled $3,000 per year from two years; this covered his tuition, books, room, and board.

Tenzin Norchung was born and raised in Tibet but eventually escaped to Dharamsala, India, where he completed education through grade twelve.

Before applying for Arasmas funds, he had already earned great recognition from his peers, teachers, and employers—all reflected by his grades, numerous academic awards, and glowing recommendations submitted with his application.  With the support of Arasmas funds, Norchung has been a full-time medical student at the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Studies College affiliated with the Kashag (the seat of the Tibet Government in Exile in Dharamsala) since early 2003. He has been published twice in the school's medical journal and sends Arasmas his "marks card" each term—grades that would certainly make his family proud. His annual expenses for all books, tuition, and other necessities amount to less than $700 per year (he is in a three year program). Norchung will likely complete his studies in 2007. We hope he will stay in touch; we love his regular correspondence, photos, and high spirits.

Nyima Chundak received a single installment of Arasmas funds to complete a computer literacy training course in 2005. Coursework was successfully completed in 2006.

Lhakpa Dhondup received a single installment of Arasmas funds to pay for specific vocational training at a culinary academy in India in 2005. Coursework was successfully completed in 2006.

Tenzin Soyang Londan was referred to Arasmas by a Duke law student who tutored Tenzin in English in India in 2002. Tenzin is a brightly spirited monk who used his Arasmas funds to pay for books and other materials he needed to pursue intensive English studies in India. His goal was to be a translator for the Tibetan Government in Exile. Because Tenzin is partially supported by the Tibetan monastic community, Tenzin's fees were minor. He started and completed his studies with a single installment in the amount of $350.

Dawa Choezom is our most recently accepted applicant. We notified her of her acceptance in the first week of December, 2006 after reviewing eight excellent applications for support in 2007. Dawa impressed us with her incredibly articulate personal statement, excellent grades and personal recommendations. She also caught our attention with her very unique academic goals (at least for a young Tibetan refugee): Dawa wants to be a Chartered Accountant (India's equivalent of a CPA). Her education will be quite expensive, by Indian standards. However, Dawa's academic accomplishments have earned her more than a single scholarship. Arasmas will award her approximately $360 per year for a five year program.