My one month and one week volunteering at the Teaching in Buddhist Monasteries project in Nepal began November 15th, at…
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This program is now open to international volunteers!
Live in a Buddhist monastery in Nepal and help teach English and math to Buddhist monks of all ages! This program is most suitable for those especially interested in Buddhist culture and religion.
Program Highlights:
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum four-week commitment):
Day 1, Sunday: Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), pickup and transfer to our volunteer center in Kathmandu. You will settle in to your accommodations and meet fellow volunteers.
Day 2, Monday: Volunteers will receive an orientation about Kathmandu and the Buddhist monasteries in Nepal. We will assign volunteers to a specific monastery, depending first on needs and availability and then on preference.
Days 3-6, Tuesday- Friday: You will transfer to the monastery, settle in your new home and begin your volunteer placement.
Days 7-8, Saturday and Sunday: The weekend is free for volunteers who are extending to spend how they wish.
Transfer costs to and from the project needs to be paid by the participants. The program arranges and manages transportation logistics.
Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow the schedule of volunteering Monday-Friday and having weekends free. Departures are on a Saturday.
Culture Week: If this is your first time in Nepal, we highly recommend that you join our Culture Week in Katmandu. This is a week filled with cultural activities and tours, and will prepare you for your volunteer adventure in Nepal. Scroll down to see Additional Options.
What’s Included
What’s not Included
Flights, visa (about US$30 at the airport upon arrival), travel health insurance, lunch on the weekends, transfer costs to and from project and any other personal expenses.
Nepal is a country of diverse and rich geography, culture, and religion. The mountainous north contains eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, including Mount Everest – the highest in the world. In Nepal, it feels as though the clock has gone back several hundred years. The capital city is a maze of narrow, unpaved streets lined with terracotta-roofed houses. With its thousands of shrines, temples and antiquities, Kathmandu is often referred to as a “living museum.” Hinduism is practiced by most people in Nepal, while Buddhism, though a minority faith in the country, is linked historically to Nepal. Siddhartha Gautama, or Buddha Gautama, a native of Nepal, gave birth to the Buddhist tradition.
The monasteries we work with are in Kathmandu Valley, Pharping and Nala, from 1 to 3 hours’ drive from our volunteer center in Katmandu. There are also monasteries in the Everest region, which require a 12 hour drive and hike. This location is suitable for the more adventurous volunteer traveler.
As a volunteer, you will teach different subjects, including English, and have one on one English conversation classes with the monks at the monasteries. You will also have time to learn about Buddhism while doing this. You will teach novice monks, both adults and children!
Because the monks spend their lives inside the monastery, this program provides them with the amazing opportunity to learn English, Math, Science and other subjects and experience another culture, from international volunteers. There monasteries take in children from the age of eight. Some children come from mountain villages where otherwise they wouldn’t have an education, so they join the monastery to have a better start in life.
We will assign volunteers to a specific monastery, depending first on needs and availability and then on preference. Volunteer projects may include:
Teaching: Depending on your abilities and experience, you may assist a local teacher, while others may lead a class on their own. Volunteers will teach English informally, which gives you the opportunity to use your imagination and plan your daily lessons as you see fit. You may also get to teach other subjects like math, science, sports, etc.. There are no guidelines, other than to engage your class and allow them to practice English. Volunteers teach on average four classes a day of around 45 minutes each for both children and adult monks.
Other Tasks: Volunteers may also have the option to get involved in other tasks around the monastery, such as gardening, cooking or helping in the library. The participants are more than welcome to join their daily routine. You can also observe and take part in morning and evening Puja (worshiping).
Schedule: Volunteers will work Monday-Friday and have Saturday and Sunday free.
Holidays: Please note that most of the monastery students are on vacation during the months of December and January. Very limited monastery will take place during this time. Volunteer work does not take place during national holidays, but you are always welcome to join in the local celebration.
Culture Week (Highly Recommended):
A Culture Week is the first step towards a great stay in a new country. It is designed so that you can understand the Nepalese culture. It is a fun-filled week that is dedicated to getting to know Nepal and some of its cultural aspects firsthand. You will also have time to meet the local people, taste the local cuisine and get familiar with Nepalese customs. Given its aim–learning about traditional rural Nepal culture, it is appropriate that this week takes place in Kathmandu. There are many opportunities to immerse yourself in the culture, including visits to local villages, touring temples, local fairs, and some amazing natural scenic sites that you can explore during your free time. Scroll down to see Additional Options.
If you would like to do some sightseeing and trekking, a fun trip can be added to your Nepal experience, or you can also discover new places independently. Nepal offers an impressive combination of nature and culture. Highlights include:
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