Nepal - FAQ

about Nepal

What kind of volunteer opportunities is available?

Do I need to speak English to become a volunteer?

What are the living arrangements when volunteering?

Are we able to do any sightseeing while volunteering?

Are there more expenses once I arrive?

How safe is it to volunteer in Nepal?

How many volunteers are there on site at the same time?

What resources are available for teaching when I'm volunteering? Do I need to bring my own?
How are families accommodated while volunteering?

Who organizes my visa for my volunteer placement?
Are there any times of the year that I cannot volunteer?


 
What kind of volunteer work is available?
We have various volunteering and Internship program such as Information Technology, Law, Journalism, Orphanage, Health Education, Medical Elective, Home Stay, Cultural Exchange, Language Study, Tourism Management, Teaching English, Environmental Awareness, Conservation and eco-work and many more.

Do I need to speak English to become a volunteer?
Yes, English is necessary if you are in internship program as well as in volunteering work to. It would be very helpful if you speak English due to second language in Nepal is English. You may have English as your second language and that is also fine.

What are the living arrangements when volunteering?
If you want to go to remote area of Nepal you are provided Nepali Language training due to they don’t understand or speak English fluently.  During the training you will stay in a hotel in Kathmandu with other volunteers. While you are there you will be accommodated and fed by the local people. When volunteering you are placed in a 'family' home in the village you will be working in. In most of the palaces there is electricity but you will not find it at very remote places. Two meals a day are provided for you while training and volunteering.
 
Are we able to do any sightseeing while volunteering?
Yes. You get a 10 - 15 day break between training and being placed in a volunteer position. You are free to do as you please during this time. There are often other volunteers that want to do trekking or just see the local
sights. You will however need to have reserve money for this time according to what you plan to do. You can survive on as little as $15 (U.S) a day in Nepal. You can also spend much more if you want a bit of luxury before volunteering
begins.

Are there more expenses once I arrive?
The Program costs cover accommodation and most meals. If you arrive early or intend on staying on in Nepal for longer than you are volunteering then you will need to have spare money for this time. Also some money may be required for your days off. Other costs include paying for your visa to enter Nepal, departure tax; personal stuff and any shopping you will do personally.

How safe is it to volunteer in Nepal?
We work very hard to ensure you are placed in safe environments while volunteering. In Nepal you may have heard about the Maoists rebels. Their aim is change the way Nepal is run as a country. They are seen as no threat to foreigners as they seek only the local support of the Nepali people.

How many volunteers are there on site at the same time?
This depends on how many people volunteer at any one time. Usually there are between 4 and 10 volunteers at the training. If possible, you are placed with one other person in the local villages when you are volunteering.

What resources are available for teaching when I'm volunteering? Do I need to bring my own?
If you have resources that you think may be appropriate discuss this with our partner via email to see if you should bring them. Most likely anything you have will be of help as there will be limited resources. We are in the process of developing kits that will help but these will not be available until later in the year.


How are families accommodated while volunteering?
You will need to pay additional costs for accommodating your family in Nepal. As some volunteer placements may not have available housing you may be limited to the areas you can volunteer.

Who organizes my visa for my volunteer placement?
You will purchase your Visa (US$30 for first two months) at Kathmandu airport when you arrive.  After that you can update your visa by paying US$ 30 for one month (you can stay all over five months with in one year). If you delayed to update your visa you have to pay penalty.

Are there any times of the year that I cannot volunteer?
No, you can volunteer at any time of the year. June and July are school holidays, however, so placements are limited to areas where schools are open or where teaching can be done in learning centers. There are many festivals throughout the year which can interrupt your program, but which are also a good way of interacting with the culture.

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