Culture Week in Nepal, Kathmandu

Introduce you to Nepal’s diverse geographical and cultural environment by fostering a deeper understanding of cultural similarities and differences through experiential learning in Nepal and to help you develop awareness and deeper understanding of the country.

Puja to the gods & goddess and name-giving ceremony. Go over the week’s schedule and handling of documents. An introduction game to get to know fellow participants. Cultural seminar on social behavioural norms, dos & don’ts in Nepalese culture. Intercultural eating and drinking habits, bathing and clothing customs in Nepalese culture. A little assignment for you to explore your neighbourhood and find local civic places such as banks (ATM), temples, schools, restaurants etc.

A social interactive session to know each other and an opportunity to bring out concerns about your health etc so that we will be aware. Nepali language training. Shopping to the local market. Orientation tour of the city of Nepal with an interesting game called “Scavenger Hunt”, we will tell you more about this when you are here.

A talk on schooling and education system in Nepal and placement sites. A cultural as well as historical orientation tour to the famous Swoyambhunath temple, after enjoy a Nepali cooking session, learning to cook the local delights.

It’s all about hiking today! We will go on a nature trail into the mountains to get a view of Kathmandu valley. Feedback sharing (evaluation). This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Location

Kathmandu, the capital and largest city in Nepal, is like no other city in the world. The decaying buildings in the heart of the city are a contrast to the lively atmosphere that permeates the streets. The smell of incense wafts from the stores while street sellers push their wares, and people go about their daily lives, all against a backdrop of historic temples and carved statues.
For several hundred years, Kathmandu was one of three rival royal cities, along with Bhaktapur and Patan. Situated in close proximity to each other, today these three almost run together. The highlight of Kathmandu has long been Durbar Square, the largest of the palace squares in the three royal cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Temples and monuments of varying shapes, sizes, styles, and faiths can be found here.

Kathmandu’s Durbar Square was severely damaged in the 2015 earthquake, with many buildings destroyed beyond repair. For most visitors to Nepal, Kathmandu Valley is the arrival point and the primary focus of the visit. This small, mountain-sheltered valley is the historical centre of Nepal, a place where kingdoms rose and fell, where palaces and temples were built and rebuilt, and where Nepali art and culture was developed and refined. Rivers and streams interlace with the landscape, the brick-red villages cling to ridges to preserve precious land and even from the bustling centres of each of the cities, it is possible to catch a glimpse of the snow-capped peaks of the majestic Himalayas against the intense blue skies.

Accommodation & Food

There is a mini library where you can read, a beautiful garden to relax in and dining and lounge areas where you can hang out with fellow participants. Furthermore, there is a refrigerator which you are welcome to use to store food and beverages.

Available Room Types

	Standard Room	Private Room
All meals included	Yes *	Yes *
Free beverages	Yes **	Yes **
Persons per room	4 – 6	1- 2
Wifi in public areas	Yes	Yes
Laundry facilities	Yes ***	Yes ***
Safety box	No	Yes
Lockable rooms	Yes	Yes
Hot shower	Yes	Yes
Private bathroom	No	No
Bed linen	Yes	Yes
Towels	No	No
Air conditioning	No	No
Fan	Yes	Yes
Mosquito protection	Yes	Yes

* Three meals per day during weekdays and two per day on weekends
** Water, tea, coffee and milk
*** At an additional fee

Food Arrangements

You will be provided with three meals a day on weekdays and two meals per day on weekends. The meals are a mix of Western and Nepalese food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. You can expect to have a chicken dish about once per week. You can also choose to eat out at any of the local restaurants.

Facilities

Our house is located five kilometres away from the city centre, where you can find anything you might need. The nearest ATM and supermarket are located a 15-minute walk away from our accommodation.

Mandatory Orientation Day

On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarise you with the surroundings as well as local culture. Your program will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.

Schedule

Welcoming Ritual – Puja to the Gods & goddess and name giving ceremony with Ice breaking activities. Review the schedule, Social behaviours norms dos & don’ts in Nepali culture
Cross culture seminar on eating, drinking, clothing bathing & toileting customs in Nepal Lunch. Talk on safety & security during the program. Signing up the Code of Conduct, Child Protection Policy and Release & Waiver of Liability. Collection of passport copies, photos, and police clearance. Information on placement and visiting the placement site. Assignment to find the local civics places in and around program house neighbourhood. Get personal accessories (Photo copy, money exchange, ATM and take picture). Clothing shopping at the local market.

Activities & Events

No scheduled activities outside the program.

Sights & Surroundings

Shopping in Kathmandu is an experience in itself. Thamel, Kathmandu tourist hotspot, is where shoppers can find Nepalese, Tibetan and Indian artifacts, wood carvings, handicraft and an assortment of unique clothing and apparel. There are also several malls where you can find fashionable clothing and grocery stores offering everything from wine to breakfast cereals. There are numerous dining options available throughout the city, including Italian, Indian, Thai, Korean and Chinese in addition to a variety of local cuisine.

Transportation

From this location we provide free transport to your next program at the following location(s):

• Buddhist Monastery
• Kavre
• Mate
• Pokhara