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 Nestled in the lap of the Himalaya Mountains between India and China , Nepal is indeed a true natural wonder. Although small geographically, Nepal offers a large range of diversity (both geographically its natural wonders are incredible and there are abundant examples of unique flora and fauna. The country is populated by vivid ethnic groups and spotted with colorful festivals. With the incomparable natural beauty, the warmth and hospitality of the Nepalese people and opportunities to serve the local communities, internship projects in Nepal consistently deliver a rewarding experience for IFRE interns. Nepal 's programs are highly organized and respected, offering opportunities to serve poor children and communities in/around three bustling cities: Kathmandu , Pokhara and Chitwan. IFRE invites interns to intern in Nepal . Explore this extraordinary Himalayan kingdom and serve children and communities while embarking on this meaningful journey of a lifetime.
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INTERNSHIP IN NEPAL: ACADEMIC CREDIT |
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You can earn academic credit for most internship projects in Nepal . The best way to receive academic credit is by pre-arranging the project with your college/university. It is up to an intern to communicate with faculty/academic advisors regarding college credit for internship work PRIOR to applying to IFRE. Your college/university may require additional information prior to approval and may require students to submit pre/post research or other requirements.
Alternatively, you can earn academic credit through Seattle Central Community College (SCCC). SCCC offers college credit for a variety of international programs (study abroad, volunteer abroad, intern abroad, language studies and even cultural-exchanging home-stays). IFRE recommends contacting Professor Steve Tash (we can provide contact details) to further explore this option of receiving academic credit for your international internship. IFRE is not associated with SCCC and it is up to the intern to arrange to transfer SCCC course credit to their university/college of choice.
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LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL IMMERSION |
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 In Nepal , IFRE offers one week of Language and Cultural orientation in Kathmandu . The capital of Nepal , Kathmandu has two faces. One is a fabled capital populated by hospitable pilgrims and meticulously carved rose-brick temples. The second is a frenetic sprawl of modern towers, which is mobbed by beggars and monkeys and smothered in diesel fumes. These two faces simultaneously demonstrate the country's history and the invading, inevitable wear and tear of the uncompromising modern world.
Our weeklong intensive language and cultural immersion program includes language training, lessons on history, culture, ways of life, visits to local villages/towns/markets, guided Kathmandu exploration and local tourist attractions. This IFRE program aims to submerge you in Nepali culture, history and ways of life, vastly improving your time as an intern in Nepal . When you understand the life and culture around you, your experience is richer and more rewarding. However, you can choose to take the Language and Cultural immersion program or go directly into an internship project. This experience should not be missed! So many international travelers wish they could have an opportunity such as this to receive a briefing on customs, language and history.
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INTERNSHIP IN NEPAL WORK PROJECTS |
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 IFRE's Nepal internship programs support community schools, monasteries and photojournalists working to capture Nepali history. Internship projects placements are available in Kathmandu , Chitwan and Pokhara.
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NEPAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FEES & DATES |
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Start Dates: Internship programs starts on the following (first and third Monday of each month)
IFRE is a 501(c)3 organization, so your program fee will be tax deductible. IFRE Interns is proud to offer an extensive assortment of programs at very reasonable prices ( and may rank “best priced and best value” among the many internship abroad organizations in the USA/Europe/New Zealand ). Our programs are now more affordable than ever. We are proud to focus on the humanitarian aspect of our business, not the profit. We work very hard and smart to keep costs down, especially for you the intern, as we know the value of your donated time and efforts. We remain devoted to maintaining both the quality of the program and the safety of all interns involved. Below is a brief summary of the program fee and services that IFRE Interns offers. IFRE fees comprise of two separate fees. An application fee of $349 USD (covers advertising, staff/office expenses, etc.) and a nominal weekly program fee (covers room/board, insurance, field support, etc).
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Internship program fee (US$) |
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What's Included in Program Fee |
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| 1 week: |
$124 |
| 2 weeks: |
$437 |
| 3 weeks: |
$532 |
| 4 weeks: |
$627 |
| 5 weeks: |
$742 |
| 6 weeks: |
$857 |
| 7 weeks: |
$942 |
| 8 weeks: |
$1,007 |
| 9 weeks: |
$1,092 |
| 10 weeks: |
$1,157 |
| 11 weeks: |
$1,257 |
| 12 weeks: |
$1,337 |
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* Nepal Language and Cultural Immersion program fee: $250 USD (see below).
* Interns joining photojournalism project add $75 USD per week.
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Language and cultural immersion program includes: One-week language and cultural training, meals and accommodations with host family ( Breakfast, lunch & dinner), training materials (books, papers, etc) and Comprehensive Travel Insurance.
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Additional costs for interns |
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International flights, visa application/extension, daily personal expenses on beverages/entertainment, laundry, telephone, immunizations.
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ARRANGEMENT OF ROOM & FOOD |
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IFRE manages living accommodations, meals and supervision for interns throughout their stay in Nepal . Most interns placed in Kathmandu projects stay at our home base – a permanent home set aside for international interns and manned with a local staff. Our safe and secure Kathmandu home base is located in a beautiful area of Kalanki, nearly 5 km away from Thamel, a popular tourist hub of Nepal . Most of our interns' projects are located within 2-5 miles of the home base. Therefore, interns can simply walk to their projects or take a local taxi or bus. Most necessary services for travelers are located within 2 km of the home base: internet cafés, restaurants and grocery stores. Our home base is located in the heart of city and provides easy access for interns to all parts of Kathmandu . It is a perfect situation for interns to live safely and comfortably while making many new friends and sharing experiences every day. In the evening interns return to the home base, to relax, eat dinner, explore local areas or share the day's experiences with fellow interns and staff. Our home base provides a same-gender shared room and shared bathroom with running hot water and a “western” style toilet. Interns will have the ability to do laundry at the home base.
Interns receive three prepared meals per day. Our cooks prepare breakfasts, lunches and dinners of Nepali foods (similar to Indian food, including wheat bread, rice, curry, dahl, chapatti and pickles) for interns. If interns will be out of the house during lunch hour, they can request a lunch "to go”. If traditional Nepali fare does not appeal to interns, they are welcome to buy personal food and prepare it.
Occasionally, depending on intern traffic, available projects or distance to an intern's assigned project, we may also place our interns with carefully pre-screened host families. Our host families are socially respected and are experienced with hosting international interns. They have strong interest in our interns' safety and well-being and demonstrate this with caution and care. In most host family situations, interns will share a room with another intern of the same gender. Another viable option is an at-orphanage stay. Many orphanages in Kathmandu have special rooms set aside to house international interns. Interns who have stayed with a host family or at an orphanage describe an enriched experience because of having done so. Once you have applied for program placement, you will find the specific details of your accommodations in your personal placement documents for your project.
IFRE maintains two offices in Kathmandu and Chitwan to supervise and assist interns. However, interns working in Pokhara will stay in touch with Kathmandu office by telephone or email and will receive staff visits as often as possible, usually every two weeks.
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NEPAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FREE TIME |
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Interns have free time for the duration of their project during evenings and weekends. While IFRE does not arrange activities during this time off, our local staff, members and coordinators can provide priceless assistance in making appropriate arrangements for travel in Nepal . It is the time for self-discovery and learning. It is time to immerse in foreign culture and explore this exotic land. It is definitely time for a trek in Nepal ! Our IFRE local coordinators/staff are available to give you free advice, travel tips and helps to book your travel.
City adventures abound in Kathmandu . A city unlike any Western city experience, Kathmandu beckons tourists with pulsing activity and exhilarating discovery at every turn. The city can soon turn to sensory overload with vendors, traffic, colors, hustle and bustle. However, interns can find quiet solace in temples and quiet courtyards off the city's well-beaten path.
Interns can easily travel to major tourist areas in Kathmandu , Pokhara, Lumbini and Chitwan. There are ways to fill and hour or two with a hike or bike ride. Sample adventurous cuisine or participate in a local custom or ritual. Nepali people perform variety of daily rituals and religious activities; you can join these activities with your host family.
Kathmandu 's economy, cultural heritage and tourism is shared with its integral sister cities of Patan (Lalitpur) and Bhaktapur. In fact, the UNESCO World Heritage recognizes all three urban neighbors as one under the title “Kathmandu Valley-UNESCO World Heritage Site”.
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