Take a Gap Year in Nepal - Kathmandu
Kathmandu is a thriving commercial city, well used to foreign traders and, latterly, tourists. Mediaeval traditions such as the Living Goddess exist alongside roaring traffic and hectic nightlife. However, you don’t have to go far to find that much of the surrounding Kathmandu Valley is quiet and rural. We have teaching projects in both urban and rural areas of the Kathmandu valley – and all participants have the option to do a Himalayan trek, rafting, visit to Chitwan National Park (famous for its rhinos and tigers) and a trip to Tibet.
What will I do in Nepal?
Voluntary teachers need to be cheery, resourceful and adaptable. You will be teaching in schools that are well resourced by local standards with children eager to benefit from fluent English speakers, so your written and spoken English must be good. Choose between primary or secondary teaching – you can team up with another Oyster volunteer to do lessons if you wish. Past volunteers have taught Art, Literature and Geography as well as English, and additional skills such as music, sport or drama are always useful. You can also help to teach local street children on an informal basis. Read our blog for more information.
Getting there
We will see your group off at Heathrow Airport. Some hours later, Basant will meet you on arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport (most flights go via Delhi or the UAE), run an orientation course in Kathmandu before moving you to your accommodation and introducing you to your school.
Representative
Basant
Basant has been our Nepal Representative since 2000 and has nurtured over 100 Oyster volunteers. Half Tibetan and half Nepali, he was brought up and educated in India. He has lived in Kathmandu all his working life and is married to Prerana (daughter of a British Gurkha) with a young son called Kundun. Basant runs a trekking company and combines being our man on the ground with organising the Himalayan trek, Tibet tour, rafting and safari.
Supporting you
On arrival Basant will arrange a short orientation course. Once at your placement, you can approach your head teacher with any problems. If it’s not a work issue, or you’re still worried, Basant’s office door is always open – he’s had years of experience in dealing with Oyster participants.
Our representatives are there to be a helpful friend to you and steer you through difficulties of any kind. Basant will keep us updated on your health and welfare. Over the years Basant has gained knowledge of both UK and Nepali culture as well as having local expertise and sympathy for Oyster’s aim.
Accommodation
We have two types of accommodation available in Nepal. Participants can either live in boarding school staff accommodation or live with a Nepali family – both options give volunteers a great insight into the Nepali way of life.
Cost and what is provided?
A four month placement in Nepal costs: £2125, excluding flights
Extra month (after fourth month) £150 subject to availability.
Highly recommended optional 8 day Himalayan trek, 8 day Tibet tour, 3 day river rafting & Chitwan safari. Excludes some food on trek and trips (approx £200 for food dependent on style) - all for £1100 approx.
- Informal interview and briefing
- 2-day pre-departure course covering medical, safety and placement advice
- Help and advice from our UK office before departure and whilst in Nepal
- Advice on obtaining a visa
- Finding you a suitable volunteer placement in Nepal
- (Optional) flight to Nepal with flexible return date (modest fee levied by airline for date changes). Total cost with flight £2825
- ATOL protection (as long as we book your flights)
- Food and accommodation during placement
- Support from the Oyster local representative, who will meet you at the airport and offer help and support when you need it
- Hotel based orientation course on arrival in Kathmandu with Nepali language tuition and British Embassy visit
- Transportation from the airport to Kathmandu and to your school.
What do I need?
- A passport valid for at least 6 months after you return home. Most nationalities accepted.
- Tourist visa (at the time of printing $100 for the first 90 days. Extensions to this cost $60 the next 30 days, and $2 a day thereafter for up to 5 months). We will advise you on how to obtain your visa
- Insurance (covering your placement time and any planned independent travel)
- Cost of changing your return flight date if you need to (approx £50)
- Independent travel costs and pocket money
- All UK travel costs (to the interview, pre-departure course and the airport)
- Cost of transport back to the Airport at the end of your placement
