Structured Community Internships in Nepal—Hands-On Institute
Program Overview
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.
Ready to dive deeper into this program?
Jump to the full breakdown of dates, costs, eligibility, and more.
Program Highlights
What's Included
Exclusions
Quick Details
- 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
Updated Jun 15, 2026
Program Details
Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know
Locations
- Chitwan, Nepal
- Kathmandu, Nepal
- Pokhara, Nepal
Available Terms / Availability
- Years Offered
- Year Round
Eligible Nationalities
- All Nationalities
- This Program is also open to Group
Education Levels & Language
- Language
- English
- Hindi
- Urdu
- Education
- Any/All Education Levels Accepted
Accommodation Options
- Dormitory
- Group living
- Home-stays
Application Procedures
- Phone/Video Interview
- In-Person Interview when Feasible
- Resume
- Online Application
Age Requirement
All Ages
Duration
- Summer
- Winter
- Short Term
- Spring
- 1-3 Months
- 3-6 Months
- Fall
Starts At
- 2 weeks: $1,270
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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to all the most common questions about Hands-On Institute.
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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