Details of Language and Culture Program

Volunteers in Nepal can thoroughly explore and experience this mountain destination through our Language and Cultural immersion program. IFRE offers an interesting week of exposure to Nepali languages and cultures. Our program includes a week of learning mostly Nepali (aka “Nepalese”) and introduces volunteers to varied and exciting cultural practices of Nepal. A Kathmandu tour is included in this weeklong program. See the city through the eyes of experienced guides. Gain useful insight that will improve your volunteer experience. Rural sites are also featured in this program. The following is a schedule for the program:

Day 1: Orientation at IFRE's Katmandu Office:

International volunteers arrive and are transported to our Kathmandu offices. A structured and detailed orientation will review Nepal’s religion, culture, history, customs, politics and geography. Participants will also be briefed on necessary health and travel precautions. Volunteers will also have free time to explore the nearby colorful Kathmandu bazaar after orientation.

Day 2: Nepali language and culture program continues in morning with afternoon free.

Day 3: Nepali language and culture program continues in morning with afternoon free.

Day 4: Nepali language and culture program continues in morning.

Later in the day, volunteers will transfer to a quaint, lovely rural village located in northeast Kathmandu. Volunteers will learn firsthand about the unique ways of rural by staying with a lovely Nepali host family. Daily life in this charming village is untouched by modern civilization. Its people still practice the traditional ways of farming, cooking and working in the varied activities of the village. Volunteers will continue to practice their language skills while sharing cross-cultural experiences. In their free time, volunteers can explore nearby villages.

Day 5: Nepali language and culture program continues in morning. Throughout their stay, volunteers can practice new language skills they have learned in the past few days with host family. During free time, our local guide will take host a hike in the village, to experience village life and the working people, farming systems and traditions of Nepali life. If the weather is clear, the village is an excellent vantage point to take in the imposing and legendary silhouette of Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak.

Day 6: Sight-seeing in Kathmandu valley includes a guided tour of - organized to further familiarize our volunteers with the heritage of Nepal. We will visit historic wonders of the Katmandu Valley, which is named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 7: Closing of Language and Cultural immersion program. Volunteers depart for respective placements.

Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change due to field conditions.