In 1990, Zopa entered Sera Je Monastic University, and he lived there, whenever he was not traveling and studying with Konchog, until 2006. He was the top student in debate, writing, and memorization at Sera Je, and he always ranked among the top five students out of more than 5000 monks. In 2007 he completed his studies and graduated as Geshe. Zopa is one of the youngest Geshes (equivalent to a PhD or Doctor of Divinity) in Tibetan Buddhism. In his youth he skipped four grades, and the Dalai Lama let him take his final Buddhist exams four years ahead of schedule. He speaks fluent English, Tibetan, Nepali, and Hindi, and a little Mandarin.
