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Structured Community Internships in Nepal—Hands-On Institute
You came to grow. We built a programme worthy of that. Every placement at Hands-On Institute (HOI) begins with a question most programmes never ask: what do you want to build? Your skills, your professional confidence, intercultural learning and humility, your understanding of how development, health, design, policy, or education works in the real world. We match you to a vetted host organisation and a dedicated mentor based on your academic background and goals. Your Terms of Reference is agreed before you arrive. Your project is defined. Your time is respected. Across three hubs (Kaski, Chitwan and Kathmandu) our partner organisations work in policy research, digital health, disability rights, indigenous culture, organic agriculture, autism rehabilitation, architecture, social justice and rural education. You don't observe. You contribute. And what you build here—the data systems, the community assessments, the design documents, the education tools— stays in use long after you leave. That is what real experience looks like.
You came to grow. We built a programme worthy of that. Every placement at Hands-On Institute (HOI) begins with a question most programmes never ask: what do you want to build? Your skills, your professional confidence, intercultural learning and humility, your understanding of how development, health, design, policy, or education works in the real world. We match you to a vetted host organisation and a dedicated mentor based on your academic background and goals. Your Terms of Reference is agreed before you arrive. Your project is defined. Your time is respected. Across three hubs (Kaski, Chitwan and Kathmandu) our partner organisations work in policy research, digital health, disability rights, indigenous culture, organic agriculture, autism rehabilitation, architecture, social justice and rural education. You don't observe. You contribute. And what you build here—the data systems, the community assessments, the design documents, the education tools— stays in use long after you leave. That is what real experience looks like.
Program Highlights
Work across the Annapurna foothills, Chitwan's jungle lowlands and ancient Kathmandu Valley
Get skill-matched placements. Terms of Reference and dedicated mentor confirmed before arrival
Vetted host organisations across digital health, architecture, indigenous culture, disability rights and more
Your work stays, projects and tools you build remain in active use by communities after you leave
Program Fees from $1985 for 4 weeks (fully supported, accommodation, meals, airport pickup, 24/7 team and nurse on call included)
Quick Details
- Chitwan, Nepal
- Kathmandu, Nepal
- Pokhara, Nepal
- Summer
- Winter
- Short Term
- Spring
- 1-3 Months
- 3-6 Months
- Fall
- Administrative
- Agriculture
- Animal Sciences
- Anthropology
- Architecture
- Au Pair
- Business
- Camp Counselor & Trip Leader
- Computer Science
- Counseling
- Creative Writing
- Criminal Justice
- Culinary Arts & Cooking
- Dentistry
- Development
- Economics
- Education
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Studies
- Fashion Business
- Fashion Design
- Finance
- Food Science & Nutrition
- Forestry
- Geology
- Graphic Design
- Health Administration
- Health Sciences
- History
- Horticulture
- Hospitality
- Human Resources
- Human Rights
- Humanities
- Industrial & Manufacturing
- Information Systems
- Interior Design
- International Relations
- International Trade
- Journalism
- Kinesiology & Exercise Science
- Labor & Industrial Relations
- Law
- Liberal Arts
- Library & Information Science
- Linguistics
- Marketing, Advertising, & PR
- Mathematics
- Media
- Medicine
- Meteorology
- Museum Studies
- Music
- National Park
- Nursing
- Parks & Recreation
- Photography
- Political Science & Politics
- Psychology
- Public Administration & Government
- Sales
- Social Sciences
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Sustainable Development
- Technology
- Tourism
- Web Design
- Women's Studies
- Zoology & Wildlife Sciences
- All Nationalities
Program Details
Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know
Locations
- Chitwan, Nepal
- Kathmandu, Nepal
- Pokhara, Nepal
Types and Subjects
- Fields
- Administrative
- Agriculture
- Animal Sciences
- Anthropology
- Architecture
- Au Pair
- Business
- Camp Counselor & Trip Leader
- Computer Science
- Counseling
- Creative Writing
- Criminal Justice
- Culinary Arts & Cooking
- Dentistry
- Development
- Economics
- Education
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Studies
- Fashion Business
- Fashion Design
- Finance
- Food Science & Nutrition
- Forestry
- Geology
- Graphic Design
- Health Administration
- Health Sciences
- History
- Horticulture
- Hospitality
- Human Resources
- Human Rights
- Humanities
- Industrial & Manufacturing
- Information Systems
- Interior Design
- International Relations
- International Trade
- Journalism
- Kinesiology & Exercise Science
- Labor & Industrial Relations
- Law
- Liberal Arts
- Library & Information Science
- Linguistics
- Marketing, Advertising, & PR
- Mathematics
- Media
- Medicine
- Meteorology
- Museum Studies
- Music
- National Park
- Nursing
- Parks & Recreation
- Photography
- Political Science & Politics
- Psychology
- Public Administration & Government
- Sales
- Social Sciences
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Sustainable Development
- Technology
- Tourism
- Web Design
- Women's Studies
- Zoology & Wildlife Sciences
Availability
Years Offered: Year Round
- Summer
- Winter
- Short Term
- Spring
- 1-3 Months
- 3-6 Months
- Fall
Age Requirement
Open to All Ages
Guidelines
All Nationalities
This Program is also open to Group
Starts At
- 2 weeks: $1,270
Program Cost Includes
- Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
- All Program Activity Costs
- Some Meals / Partial Meal Plan
- Welcome Dinner
- Airport Transfer (Drop-Off)
- Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
- On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
- Pre-Departure Orientation
- In-Country Orientation
- Internship Placement
- Emergency Support
- Certificate of Completion
- Letter of Recommendation
- Cultural Training / Program / Orientation
Program Cost Excludes
- Wifi Costs
- Medical / Accident Insurance
- Travel Insurance
- Weekend Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Public Transportation Pass
- Visa Fees
- International SIM Card
- Domestic Airfare
- International Airfare
- Required Equipment
- Laundry
- Financial Aid Counseling
- Assistance Booking Travel
- Use of Gym
- Language Lessons
- Vaccination Costs
- Souvenirs
Accommodation Options
- Dormitory
- Group living
- Home-stays
Qualifications & Experience
- English
- Hindi
- Urdu
Language Skills Required
- Any/All Education Levels Accepted
Accepted Education Levels
Application Procedures
- Phone/Video Interview
- In-Person Interview when Feasible
- Resume
- Online Application
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How does the placement process work?
After you apply, HOI reviews your academic background, field of study and career goals. We match you to a host organisation where your skills are genuinely needed, share your Terms of Reference for review and confirm your mentor, all before you commit.
Q2: What does the programme fee include?
Airport pickup, orientation, accommodation, breakfast and dinner (with host family and it will be Nepali meal) arrival orientation, 24/7 in-country support. Academic documentation and mentor evaluations are included for credit-bearing placements.
Do I need a visa to intern in Nepal?
Yes. Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport. HOI provides full visa guidance as part of your pre-departure preparation.
Will my host organisation work in English?
Yes. Most of HOI partner organisations are experienced hosting international interns and work entirely in English. Your mentor, colleagues and day-to-day work environment are fully English-speaking. However, some of our host organization do not fully communicate in English but it will not affect your work, we assist you on that.
Where will I be staying?
First night of your arrival you will be accommodated in a hotel, and after orientation on second day, you will be transferred to a host family. You will be staying close to your placement site, available in twin sharing or single supplement. Every accommodation option is personally assessed by HOI before any intern is placed.
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