Nepal's natural wonders may drive the majority of its tourism, but the tenderheartedness of Nepali people is what truly leads travelers to fall in love with this amazing country!
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nepali Culture
The People The people of Nepal are jovial and welcoming. Good natured and giving, Nepali people treat guests highly. As teachers become more familiar with their host families, levels of formality tend to fall and host families speak more candidly and affectionately with their guest teachers. Some host families speak English better than others, and some not at all, but motivated teachers have been able to navigate these language barriers by learning bits of Nepali and communicating through a mutual love of food and laughter. |
Traditions and Festivals Nepali people have a strong sense of gratitude and giving towards guests of all sorts. These small communities foster a strong sense of friendship and kindness which often takes the form of food shared seated around the kitchen table and rice wine split into tin cups. They welcome guests with flowers, silk scarves and tika placed on foreheads. The Nepali and Gurung people celebrate many festivals throughout the year. Tihar (the festival of lights), and Dashain (festival of family and community) are just two examples of the many local festivals celebrated, often with drums, dancing and food. See former teacher Regina's blog about Nepali festivals to learn more! |
One of our teachers, Taylor, described her experience at a festival in Dhampus: "The village of Dhampus, welcoming me into the arms of their culture and village, invited me to dress in a beautiful sari, dance traditionally, and play familiar games with the women at the celebration for International Women’s Day. Being able to participate in an important event that was meaningful to the women of Dhampus allowed me, despite the language barrier, to better connect with these amazing women and see all that they have accomplished. " |
Other Exploration Opportunities Near our partner villages are hot springs, gorgeous trekking paths through forests and river valleys, and trekking to Annapurna Base Camp and around the Annapurna Circuit. Other, farther adventures within Nepal include journeys to Everest Base Camp, Chitwan National Park, and Kathmandu’s Monkey Temple (Swayambhunath), which you can easily travel to before or after your time teaching. |
THE BEST PARTS OF NEPAL (ACCORDING TO PAST TEACHERS):
“I loved working with the children – all of them, no matter how young and boisterous, were eager to learn every day.”
“The entire experience was amazing and unforgettable. I think the best part, however, was that I was allowed to completely take on the Nepali culture and was fully emerged by my host family. Being accepted and considered a member of their community allowed me to change my perspective in life which, of course, I only realized when I had returned back home.”
“I loved being a part of a village of people who didn’t speak the same language as me. Finding my place in Kliu was initially challenging but once I adjusted I had a community of support, love, and wisdom like I have never known before. I learned how little you need to say to get your point across…”