NEPAL ~ Course Description
INTRODUCTION
A Hindu/Buddhist nation of less than 20 million, Nepal is the gateway to the Himalayas. From Chitwan jungle in the west, to the Anapurna Range in the north, Nepal is a land of elements and contrast. Kathmandu, the premier urban center, is home to Hindu shrines and architecture that date back to the 13th century. To the north, visit Sherpa encampments that still subsist in pastoral lifestyle.
When you land in Katmandu you'll be amazed by the contrasts. You'll find a bustling third world capital where sacred cattle wander the streets and the scent of incense and curry fill the air. Your first week will be spent in intensive Nepali language and culture training. During your second week of orientation you will have the opportunity to practice the language during a rural village stay. The orientation will finish with a one day elephant safari in Chitwan National Park.
ORIENTATION
The orientation program for Nepal is slightly different in structure from the previous two. The program will last two full weeks, instead of one, and will add a home stay and language immersion component as central feature. While your I.C.E. staff will be with you as always, much of our experience in Nepal will be assisted by the efforts of a local organization specializing in providing meaningful explorations of the country through creative means. Mr. Murali Adhikari, along with the staff of his non-profit organization (RCDP-Nepal), has collaborated with I.C.E. to design an unforgettable month for you. They have been instrumental in securing the internship positions offered to you in Nepal, and their role is greatly appreciated (an appreciation you'll soon share).
For the first week of orientation, you will stay at Kopan Monastery. You will participate in meditations and other ceremonies, while spending your afternoons learning the fundamentals of Nepali language. Week two will begin your home stay in a village of Nepal's Chitwan Valley. You will share meals with your host family, three times daily, and you'll experience the place in a truly unique way as a result.
While spending time in the village, you are encouraged to practice your basic language skills, developing upon lessons given in Katmandu. As you will be arriving during the spring season, the temperature will be cool and very pleasant. In the evenings, the temperature may drop several degrees, so please bring clothes for the chilly air. Female students are required to wear either long skirts or pants, and short and long sleeved shirts are also recommended: no tank tops please. Nepalese people dress modestly and females cover most of their body. Out of respect we ask you follow similar standards. You will be able to wash your clothes by hand or with the assistance of another. During your stay in the Chitwan Valley, students will have access to e-mail and international telephones.
You will arrive 10:00 am at the office of Murali Adhikari. A brief introduction of the program will be given, mostly covering the details of each internship, location, responsibilities of interns, climate, local villages and other aspects of local life. Nepali tea will be served and a documentary reflecting the culture and nature of the program will be presented.
You will then be taken to the Kopan Monastery where you will reside for a weeklong language and culture orientation program. RCDP-staff will offer details on meditation, worship, and other cultural events that you can participate in.
Morning
Each morning monks and nuns perform prayers and Puja (worship) and different religious activities. You will be asked to participate in these daily recitations and activities of the monastery.
Afternoon program
Following lunch, you will participate in a Nepali language and cultural program. This program is designed to teach the basics of the Nepali language that you can enjoy your stay in the village. Lessons will run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Though the hours and the course are intensive you will finish with a more than sufficient grasp of the language, which proves to be a vitally useful and satisfying contribution to volunteer work in Nepal. Without the language, you will find that many barriers remain between you and the Nepali. After the 7th day, you will be able to converse with a degree of fluency in Nepali, able to pronounce and read the daunting alphabet. Furthermore, the course provides essential language skills when it comes to asking for directions, cost and other inquisitive thoughts.
Evening program
You will return to Kopan Monastery for evening meditation prayers and puja.
Morning and evening programs will be the same as the first 5 days. However, following lunch, you will visit the city of Katmandu and its religious stupas and temples. Witness the many differences that exist between a Buddhist Monastery and a Hindu temple.
Once again, morning and evening programs will be the same process of continuing your inquiry into religious presence and practice. In the afternoon, the students will go to Durbar square and Bhaktapur; listed in the world heritage list and famous tourist destinations in Nepal. Visits to other important historical and important places of Katmandu will be continued from the day before.
After one week of language and cultural orientation at the Kopan Monastery and the office in Katmandu, you will leave for Chitwan valley. Chitwan valley is located 90 miles northwest of Katmandu, home to the Royal Chitwan National Park. You will spend two nights in the Bhorle Village of Chitwan; home of one of the oldest tribes in Nepal. During your stay, a visit to the village will provide you the real picture of a less developed world. Bhorle village follows the traditional farming system, and the villager’s way of living reflects the culture and diversity that exists in Nepal.
In the evenings, folk song or cultural programs will be organized for your pleasure.
After leaving Bhorle, you will venture to Tharu village, located in Sauraha, near to the Chitwan National Park. Tharu people are aboriginal ethnic people having a very primitive culture, religion, and way of life. You will stay with a host family in Saurha. This portion of the orientation will also include a Jungle safari and an elephant ride. Finally, after 14 days of language and cultural orientation, you will begin your internship period.
Accommodations
During your stay at the monastery, two students will reside in each room, consisting of 2 single beds. We recommend bringing sleeping bags, since bedding is not provided. The monastery serves vegetarian meals, three times a day. Alcohol, smoking, and playing music, etc. are strictly prohibited while within the monastery.
For your home stay, a separate room will be provided for you if possible, but students are asked to be extremely flexible in accepting what is offered graciously. Each host family will provide three meals a day, generally consisting of rice, vegetable curry, lentil soup (daal), and occasional meat.
