Description

Homestays and cultural exchange programmes can be arranged in most areas of Nepal with our 35 Host families. Participants will be placed with a Nepali family in a small rural village for the duration of their stay.

This provides the volunteers with an excellent opportunity to learn about all aspects of Nepali culture, lifestyle, language, food and people. Volunteers should remember that this is a cultural exchange and that an effort to offer some knowledge of their own home culture and customs to the family with whom they stay is appreciated. During their stay, volunteers will attend 2 hours of language lessons in the morning and in the afternoon.

They will also have the opportunity to visit and help out at the local school. Home stay programmes are best organised from August to December which is the time when most large Nepali festivals take place. This makes for an overall more exciting experience for the volunteer. Nepali culture is distinctively friendly and open and participants are made to feel as though they are part of the family. VIN local co-ordinator will be on hand to help volunteers.

Highlights

Nepal is a very rich country in culture and landscape. The country is a hodgepodge of ethnic groups and sub-groups who speak over 100 languages and dialects and there are numerous festivals that are celebrated throughout the year in traditional style highlighting enduring customs and beliefs.

Nepali is a National and official language in Nepal. It is used throughout the Kingdom of Nepal. Learning Nepali language gives you a different experience. Your stay will be richly enhanced when given the opportunity to communicate outside the tourist realm.

VIN has a number of experienced and professional language trainers. It applies learner centered teaching methods with a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. Trainer can be available at learner's convenient time and place.

VIN has its own designed course book but can be given lessons according to learner's needs and suggestions. VIN guarantees that the learner can feel the difference and confidence within a few hours. We provide short term (hourly basis) and long-term (more than two weeks) language classes. In the long term courses, the learner can learn different cultural norms and values as well from the community. Learning a language means to assimilate oneself to the culture of the target language i.e. one acculturates him in the target language society. Keeping this socio-linguistic principle in mind VIN believes that village (family) stay is the best part of learning language and culture. They can develop not only the language, but also get a great opportunity to see and experience real Nepali life styles, the natural beauty and a rich cultural experience by participating in local festivals.

Before leaving for the village stay, the learner will be given detail information on cultural aspects of village life. Then, the learner will be taken to the best village and family by a language trainer and have Nepali family and have Nepali language for few hours in a classroom everyday. The learner will stay in Nepali family and have food with them as a family member. The host family will also be given orientation on how to deal and serve food for foreigners.

Languages

• Nepali

Languages Used as a Medium of Teaching

• English
• Nepali

Cost in US$:

Starting at EUR 200 for a week.

Program Fees Include:

- Transportation: Pick up from the airport;
- Pre-service (e.g. Nepali language and culture, health talk, program orientation, e.g. teacher training -TEFL tips);
- One day sight seeing around Kathmandu, world heritage sites, (e.g. Patan Darbur Square, Pashupatinath, Baudhanath Stupa, Swoyambhunath Stuple);
- Accommodation and Food during program induction in a budget hotel (VIN has set menu);
- Accommodation and food during placement with a host family / hostel (Nepali standard 2 to 3 meals a day);
- Administrative charge;
- Stationeries during program induction;
- Transportation to the project site;
- 24 hours emergency support;
- Regular follow up support / visit (1-2 week interval) by VIN's staffs;
- Support for local staff and volunteers;
- Support for ongoing VIN's established projects in the community;
- Online / off line program advertisement
- free wireless internet at our office

* For more details please visit our website.

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Volunteers Initiative Nepal's Mission Statement

Our mission is to empower marginalized communities, with a focus on women and children, through enhanced education programmes and whole community training to achieve democracy and raise economic productivity.

Year Founded

2005