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Participants
who want to earn credit must register with the University of Nebraska
at Kearney and pay the tuition fee. The course is a variable credit
course from 1-6 hours. Information concerning registration fee
is available through the Office of International Education.
Travel
to Nangi
Once
admitted to the program, volunteers will receive detailed information
about intra-Nepal travel and other arrangements that will be helpful
to their planning and preparations. Participants must pay for
their own air tickets to Nepal, meals and hotels in Kathmandu,
Beni and Pokhara, and the cost of transportation to Nangi. When
in Nangi, however, volunteers will have no major expenses aside
from small items that they may purchase from local shops.
The ascent to Nangi begins with climbing this hill |
Reaching
Nangi will require travel by bus (6 to 7 hours) or air (35
minutes) from Kathmandu to Pokhara. One way bus fare usually
ranges from $5-15, while airline tickets are approximately
$80. From Pokhara, volunteers can take a taxi ($20, three
hours) or bus ($2-3, six hours) to Beni. In Beni, they will
meet a representative from the school who will guide them
to Nangi village. The hike into Nangi typically takes 6-9
hours, and includes a trek through several mountain villages
and pine forests.
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Lopre Village sits on a ridge about two-hours walk
from Nangi
Mules share the trekking path
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A mountain stream runs near the edge of Nangi village |
What
to Bring
The Essentials
-
Sturdy walking shoes. Flip flops are also useful, and can be
purchased in Nangi or other towns.
- Clothes
appropriate for the weather and culture (see climate section
[internal link]). Shorts and sleeveless shirts might be best
left behind. A warm coat in winter and an umbrella during the
monsoon are essential.
-
A towel and washcloth.
-
Toiletries (soap, shampoo and laundry detergent powder or bars
can be purchased from local shops).
- A
good flashlight.
-
Rechargeable batteries.
-
Sleeping bag if you plan to travel. Blankets, sheets and pillows
are provided in the volunteer houses.
-
Any medicines you might want or need. It is advisable to bring
along the travel basics, such as over the counter pain relievers,
diarrhea medication, antacids, Band-Aids and first aid cream.
A basic prescription-strength antibiotic, such as Cipro or an
equivalent, can be a extremely useful for stronger stomach bugs.
-
Sunscreen. Nangi is at about 7,000 feet (2,200 meters), so sun
exposure can be intense.
The Optionals
- A
shortwave radio can be useful for listening to the news. Nangi’s
altitude makes it easy to pick up programs broadcast from around
the world in several languages.
- Snacks
and foods such as cheese, pasta, jam, ketchup or other commodities
can be purchased in Pokhara to sooth any cravings.
- Photos
of your family and friends are always appreciated and are an
easy way to help villages get to know you better.
-
A musical instrument, if you play one, will win you many friends.
-
The volunteer house has a computer which can play music CDs.
-
A tape recorder can be an excellent teaching tool which students
can use to listen to themselves speaking Engilsh (or to start
up their own village rock band).
- Small
items such as stamps, postcards, trinkets, candy or treats from
your home country make appropriate gifts. Extra clothing can
be left behind when you leave and teaching materials or books
can also be donated to the library for future use.
Learning
Nepali
While
learning Nepali is not necessary for volunteering in Nangi, knowing
even a few simple sentences will greatly improve the quality of
your time there. Villagers generally appreciate any effort you
make, and using Nepali will help you meet more friends, understand
the culture and travel independently. There are many books and
resources available which can help you learn some of the basics.
For some useful resources, see:
Most bookstores in Kathmandu and Pokhara also carry a number
of excellent Nepali language textbooks and guides to help you
learn.
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