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- India & Nepal Semester | Carpe Diem Education Gap Year




India & Nepal Semester | Carpe Diem Education Gap Year
Come face-to-face with complex social structures, diverse religions and geographic regions, and the intersections where tradition and change collide. You will get the chance to engage with organizations working on regenerative solutions to climate change, connect to life in local communities through homestays, experience the spirituality of an Ashram, trek in the Himalayas, kayak through the backw...
Come face-to-face with complex social structures, diverse religions and geographic regions, and the intersections where tradition and change collide. You will get the chance to engage with organizations working on regenerative solutions to climate change, connect to life in local communities through homestays, experience the spirituality of an Ashram, trek in the Himalayas, kayak through the backwaters, and sample the amazing regional cuisines as you share meals with our amazing partners and soon-to-be new friends. Throughout your journey, the people you meet and the places you stay will teach you about the region's complexities, widen your perspective, and help you gain insights to understand the world's interconnectedness. As you understand how one action impacts another and what happe...
Program Highlights
Work with an NGO to protect India's wildlife, help rebuild after earthquakes in Nepal, and learn how simple tech and ancient practices can restore water tables during droughts.
Engage in hands-on work through artistic internships with local artisans, where you’ll explore skills and crafts that have been practiced for centuries, yet are being lost in the age of technology.
Live with homestay families in rural and urban areas, allowing you to understand economic disparities and differences in accessing education, resources, and technology.
Explore your spirituality and develop a deeper awareness of the region's myriad of religious and spiritual practices.
Trek the Himalayas—there's no other mountain range like it on Earth, and you'll traverse the remote mountainside, meeting new friends in remote locations along the way.
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Quick Details
- Calcutta, India
- Bhaktapur, Nepal
- 3-6 Months
- Agriculture
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Arts
- Business
- See more
- American
- Canadian
- All Nationalities
Awards








Program Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
I learned how to learn!
September 27, 2022by: Hannah Sponenburg - United StatesProgram: India & Nepal Semester | Carpe Diem Education Gap YearTraveling with Carpe Diem challenged the ideas I had formed about myself in high school. Never quite excelling in the classroom environment and not knowing how to take advantage of school resources, I thought I was just born a “bad student.” Approaching education from an experiential model made me realize, I just didn’t know myself and my own needs. Carpe Diem’s Educators are so compassionate and supportive and help their students excel in their own ways. The program is immersive and set up in a way that gives you a wide variety of experiences, so everyone can experience a range of challenges and strengths.
Incredible semester in India!
July 02, 2020by: Kippie Douglas - United StatesProgram: India & Nepal Semester | Carpe Diem Education Gap YearLike someone said below, I haven't reviewed my semester on here yet because how can you sum up 3 months of experiences in one post? I will say that not only were our groups leaders incredible, the opportunities we were given were very special and unique. While this program may not work for some students, it was beneficial for me in learning how to travel with a variety of personalities, and how to live in a country to vastly different from my own. I saw a review on here that was incredible negative, and I am saddened that India did not teach that individual as much as it taught me about bringing the best out of an experience, and doing so with compassion and patience. I met many people during my time in India, within my group and outside of, that challenged me to think about my own behavior as a person and as someone who participates in society and what my impact is. Traveling in itself does this, but CDE gave us time to reflect and discuss our own thought processes in ways in which traveling alone would not. CDE gave me the space to become more confident in my own traveling abilities, and open my eyes to the differences in the world around me. I am in college now, and I always tell my friends here that I am a better, calmer, more caring person after my semester with CDE. So, if I could, I would do a semester again just to see the ways in which I could continue to grow.
One of the best decisions you'll make
June 12, 2020by: Isadora Smith - United StatesProgram: India & Nepal Semester | Carpe Diem Education Gap YearI chose India because it scared me. Traveling to a place that is so foreign for 3 months, without a phone, with a group of 11 other strangers, seems extremely daunting. However, I knew that taking the leap of faith would make me grow. And to say that it did is an understatement. If you want to learn the tools to live a more fulfilling life, develop a worldview, and be exposed to the inequalities that we are often sheltered from, then Carpe Diem is the program for you. The wisdom and lessons I gained have made me a more compassionate and open-minded individual. The way they organize the trip makes you feel like you are immersing yourself in the culture, rather than just being a tourist. We were lucky enough to learn about meditation and Buddhism from the Dalai Lama in his temple. We practiced our Hindi with vibrant kids living in slums. We ate our way through all of the samosa, thali, and chai shops. None of that would have happened without Carpe Diem's longlasting connections to the communities and people of India. The 11 other people in my group also became the most inspiring community I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. We laughed till our stomachs hurt, danced with locals, cried, loved, meditated, and grew together. After 3 years, we still keep in contact because the connections made will truly last a lifetime. I can't recommend this program enough! Take the leap of faith!
Program Details
Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know
Locations
- Calcutta, India
- Bhaktapur, Nepal
Types and Subjects
- Focus Areas
- Student Exchange
- Outdoor Education
- Community Service & Volunteering
Availability
Years Offered: 2026
- 3-6 Months
- During College
- Post High School
Age Requirement
Age Requirement Varies
Guidelines
- American
- Canadian
- All Nationalities
- This Program is also open to Solo, Group
Cost per week
Program Cost Includes
- Tuition & Fees
- Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
- All Program Activity Costs
- Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Accommodation Options
- Group living
- Guest House
- Home-stays
- Other
Qualifications & Experience
- English
Language Skills Required
- Some high school, no diploma
- High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (for example: GED)
Accepted Education Levels
Application Procedures
- Phone/Video Interview
- Online Application
- Physical Exam/Health Records
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Learn More?
Come face-to-face with complex social structures, diverse religions and geographic regions, and the intersections where tradition and change collide. You will get the chance to engage with organizations working on regenerative solutions to climate change, connect to life in local communities through homestays, experience the spirituality of an Ashram, trek in the Himalayas, kayak through the backwaters, and sample the amazing regional cuisines as you share meals with our amazing partners and soon-to-be new friends. Throughout your journey, the people you meet and the places you stay will teach you about the region's complexities, widen your perspective, and help you gain insights to understand the world's interconnectedness. As you understand how one action impacts another and what happe...

Carpe Diem Education

Carpe Diem Education
Ready to Learn More?
Come face-to-face with complex social structures, diverse religions and geographic regions, and the intersections where tradition and change collide. You will get the chance to engage with organizations working on regenerative solutions to climate change, connect to life in local communities through homestays, experience the spirituality of an Ashram, trek in the Himalayas, kayak through the backwaters, and sample the amazing regional cuisines as you share meals with our amazing partners and soon-to-be new friends. Throughout your journey, the people you meet and the places you stay will teach you about the region's complexities, widen your perspective, and help you gain insights to understand the world's interconnectedness. As you understand how one action impacts another and what happe...
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