Int’l Internship & Volunteer Network Discover Infinite Possibilities   Discover Nepal Inclusive Volunteer & Culture Programs   Experience the most of what the spiritual and enchanted land of Nepal has to offer!  The Himalayan Kingdom can offer you exciting days, moments of true relaxation and more!   For many of us the Himalayan Kingdom conjures up images of snow-capped mountains and rolling green hills. Indeed, eight of the world’s 14 eight-thousanders lie in Nepal, making it a mountaineer’s dream! Nepal has more to offer than just the high Himalaya. As small as the country may be, the land is diverse geographically as well as ethnically. You will find rich cultures and vibrant traditions, exquisite temples and monuments, as well as fast flowing rivers and tropical jungles teeming with wildlife, making your trip unforgettable!  It is a country where people of different races and religions live in relative harmony.     ~ ~ ~   Program & Placement Opportunities Program Requirements Applicant Requirements Start Dates & Program Duration Inclusive Program Fees & Inclusion  Application Process ~ Benefits of Participation Other Important Information   ~ ~ ~

Program Requirements   International Internship & Volunteer Programs, along with intercultural travel, share a common trait: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. Our Discover Nepal Programs are designed for proactive individuals. Naturally, the schedule and activities of our programs are subject to change. At times, alterations in activities are due to changes in local conditions, weather, etc. This is part of what makes overseas programs the interesting adventure and incredible learning experience that it is. Participants of our Discover Nepal Program must ensure they are realistically prepared for, and able to cope with, the following:   Living without modern plumbing, hot water and electricity. Many participants experience an illness during their stay.  We strongly recommend you contact your primary care physician to ensure you receive all necessary immunizations/vaccinations, prior to departure from your home country. Being open enough to accept and respect a culture, no matter how different it is from the culture of your home country. Understanding that the culture in Nepal is not as obsessed with time as the US or Europe. Often, schedules are ignored or appointments begin later than arranged. You may also encounter corruption in government officials and local administrators.   Choosing to participate in a program in Nepal opens the door for a personally enriching and life-changing experience!  ~ ~ ~

Program & Placement Opportunities In addition to offering placements in the fields listed below,  Participants may also take part in one of the following additional program options.  Please select your link of interest for further details.   Option A ~ Cultural Immersion Study/Home Stay Option B ~ Mountain Immersion Study Option C ~ Teaching English at School/Monastery Option D ~ Working in an Orphanage   ·         Adult Education ·         AIDS ·         Arts/Fine Arts ·         Childcare ·         Community Development ·         Community Health ·         Counseling ·         Culture Education ·         Economics ·         Engineering ·         English Teaching ·         Environmental Management & Studies ·         Fashion Business & Design ·         Finance ·         Gender Issues ·         Hospitality/Hotel/Restaurant ·         Human Rights – Participants have an opportunity to work at Human Rights related NGOs, for two (2) to twenty (20) weeks, to study human rights issues and situations in Nepal, and pursue short- or long-term research on relevant issues. ·         Int’l Relations ·         Journalism and Photo Journalism– Participants may work at a vast array of national daily newspapers and magazines. A minimum of one month is required for our Journalism Programs. ·         Law/Legal ·         Liberal Arts ·         Linguistics ·         Marketing/Advertising/PR ·         Nepali Music ·         Orphanage - There are more than two hundred orphanages in existence in Kathmandu valley alone. We are happy to customize an opportunity for you with one of our orphanages based on your interest.  Placements may also be arranged in rural areas of the country. ·         Pharmaceuticals ·         Photography    Pre-Med; including Health, Health Care, Health Education, etc -    Medical/nursing students will work as volunteers at government and private teaching hospitals and clinics. *Pre-Med programs in Nepal exceeding 4 weeks will be charged an additional $250 per week up to a maximum of five (5) months. ·         Primary & Public Education ·         Recreation ·         Social Services/Social Work; including Social Development & Integration ·         Teaching & Tutoring - Students in this program live in a certain village or town and teach at local schools, monasteries or orphanages. Placement is fixed by mutual arrangement and correspondence.  A minimum of one month is required for our Teaching Programs. ·         Technology ·         Tourism ·         Urban & Regional Planning ·         Sports ·         Street Children ·         Wildlife Sciences ·         Women’s Issues ·         Youth Development ·         Zoology ·         and many more… If you do not see your field of interest listed above, just let us know what you would like to do, where you would like to go and how long you would like to stay.  It would be our pleasure to work with you to customize an opportunity that would meet your needs! ~ ~ ~

Start Dates & Program Duration   The majority of our Discover Nepal Programs are offered year-round and start in Kathmandu.    The standard IIVN Program Fee applies to a program duration of 4 weeks.  Participation may be extended up to a maximum of 5 - 6 months, depending on program, for an additional fee per week.   Start dates for our Discover Nepal Program are noted below:   ·         January 7, 2008 ·         February 4, 2008 ·         March 3 & 31, 2008 ·         April 28, 2008 ·         May 26, 2008 ·         June 23, 2008 ·         July 21, 2008 ·         August 18, 2008 ·         September 15, 2008 ·         October 13, 2008 ·         November 10, 2008 ·         December 8, 2008   Teaching Programs are not available in October, due to the number of festivals interrupting the school schedule.  Teaching programs are offered the 1st Monday of every week and are available year-round.     ~ ~ ~

Option A -   Cultural Immersion Study/Home Stay: In this program, participants live with different ethnic communities during their program period and learn about the diverse cultures, lifestyles, languages, religions, festivals and people of Nepal. During the first few weeks, participants have an opportunity to live with a Nepali family in an urban setting and gain experience of city life. After staying in the city, the participants are placed in a small, rural village for the remaining duration of their stay. This provides participants with an excellent opportunity to learn about all facets of Nepal, both modern and more traditional. Participants should remember that this is a cultural exchange and that an effort to offer some knowledge of their own culture and customs to the family with whom they live is greatly appreciated.  Remember to bring a small photo album to help you describe your culture and family. During their stay, participants will attend 2-3 hours of language lessons with an experienced Nepali language and cultural trainer in the morning and in the afternoon. They will also have the opportunity to visit and help out at local schools, NGOs, and orphanages. Home stay programs can be arranged for durations of one week up to five months depending on participants’ availability and desire. Nepali culture is distinctively friendly and open and participants are immediately made to feel as though they are part of the family.       Option B – Mountain Immersion Study:    Following orientation, participants will embark on a two day journey from Kathmandu to Manang. Upon arrival, they will be placed in either a guest house or with a host family and will have an opportunity to mingle with the local people in their daily activities. Participants will also have an opportunity to personally visit many local villages where they may learn about and/or participate in, the unique local festivals, celebrations, lifestyles and culture.   Participants will be given a brief overview of the Manang culture and general lifestyle of the local people. For two weeks after arrival into Manang, participants will perform study and research, or photography programs.  Participants may also take part in monastery and school activities.   The Manang district lies in the western part of Nepal and covers an area of 2246sq km. It is one of the most remote districts in Nepal.  Rich in culture and full of breath-taking vistas, it is the main trekking destination in the Himalayas. The region falls on the famed Annapurna Circuit trek and is visited by more than 14,000 trekkers annually along with the same number of supporting staffs.   People:  The Nyeshang people who inhabit the valleys of Manang originated in Tibet. The Nyeshangte are believed to have migrated from the ancient Kingdom of Shang Shung in ancient Tibet, their name meaning ‘we of Shang’.  In upper Manang they are still known as Nyeshangte, a Tibetan Buddhist group speaking a Tibeto-Burman language quite distinct from Indo-European Nepali. The two dominant groups are still Gurung and Ghale. In lower Manang people describe themselves as Gurung, Lama or Ghale.  These people are descendants of the earliest migrants who mingled with other ethnic, lingual and cultural groups from the south.   Geography: Physically, the district is divided into three distinct regions namely: Nyeshang Valley Gyalsumdo Valley and Nar Phu Valley. The Nyeshang and Gyalsumdo Valleys fall on the circuit trekking trail where tourism business has become the main source of income, whereas the Nar Phu Valleys had been restricted to foreigners for a long time due to political turmoil. Now, the government has opened most of the restricted areas for foreigners. The trek to Nar and Phu provides magnificent views of Kangaru Himal and Ratna Chuli, photogenic landscapes, and the experience of living the culture and way of life of locals. It also covers some of the famous climbing peaks such as Himlung and Pokhar Kang. It is one of the main habitats of the endangered snow leopard where large herds of blue sheep can be seen along the trail to Nar and Phu.   Mountains: Manang is proud of its various elements, especially its spectacular mountain scenery. As part of the Annapurna Circuit trek, Manang Valley is special for the mountains rising directly from the valley floor, which averages 3,400 meters (11,000 feet) in elevation. The Manang Valley is surrounded by mountains over 6,000 meters (20,000 feet) high on all sides. These include: Lamjung Himal (6,932 meters or 22,740 feet) Pisang Peak (6,091 meters or 19,982 feet) Annapurna I (8,091 meters or 26,538 feet) Annapurna II (7,939 meters or 26,040 feet) Annapurna III (7,555 meters or 24,780 feet) Annapurna IV (7,525 meters or 24,682 feet) Gangapurna (7,454 meters or 24,449 feet) Tarkekang or Glacier Dome (7,202 meters or 23,623 feet) Chulu East (6,558 meters or 21,510 feet) Tilicho Peak (7,134 meters or 23,400 feet) Rivers and Lakes: Many Himalayan Rivers take their courses through Manang, cutting steep and narrow valleys. Marshyangdi, Naar and Dudh khola are the main rivers in Manang. The Marshyangdi runs east-west, creating an elongated valley that is home to many settlements. The rivers flowing from the north tend to have very strong currents, creating narrower valleys, so there are fewer settlements. There are also several lakes in Manang, mostly the result of glacier erosion. Tilicho Lake in the south is located 4915m above sea level and is very isolated. During winter the lake is almost frozen, but in spring and summer as the snow begins to melt and wild flowers bloom.  The area is a wonderful place for foreigners, full of beautiful landscapes with a dense covering of natural floral carpets.   Flora and Fauna: Due to the range of geographical and climatic regions in Manang there is a diverse variety of flora. The more tropical parts of the area are filled with terraced paddy fields most of the year and it is also famous for its winter crop of oranges that can be bought along the trails in the foothills.  As you progress further into the higher regions, the vegetation changes to more temperate plants and trees eventually give way to pine forests.  In the rain shadow to the north the landscape is quite barren, being an extension of the Tibetan plateau, and mostly only stunted bushes and shrubs are found. Manang is also home to a variety of birds and animals.  It is known for its musk deer, which were hunted to near extinction for their musk. From December to early march, the Nyeshang valley is covered with thick snow.  This is when the snow leopard descends from its rocky lair high in the mountains in search of blue sheep, its natural prey.

Option C - Teaching English at School/Monastery: Nepal is one of the most beautiful mountainous countries in the world and our Teaching Program is an excellent opportunity to work and travel the home of Mount Everest. Working as an English-speaking Teaching Assistant, participants will work with underprivileged children and help to give them opportunities they may not have had before, making this an extremely fun, rewarding and worthwhile experience! Participants in this program will teach English at either a Nepali public or private school, depending on the demand for participants at the time of their program. Opportunities are also available with either non-profit schools or a Buddhist Monastery! Non-profit schools often have limited resources - inviting you to teach creatively. The children are both dedicated and respectful, and with your lessons planned you will be free to teach. Fridays are reserved for games, or enjoying a day to yourself. For those wanting a more cultural immersion, take a unique opportunity to teach Buddhist monks in a monastery. In addition to working on their English language skills, you may also be leading games and activities. Female volunteers will also be accepted to teach at the monasteries. The majority of the time, participants in teaching projects will work as instructors and are more than welcome to participate in other school activities while they work at the school.  Your project supervisor will assist with teaching methods, advice with solutions to communication barriers (both with students and colleagues), and provide curriculums to follow.  We welcome participants with a working knowledge of English, as well as the desire to share their knowledge with students who are eager to learn. Typically, participants teach two to three hours a day, for six days a week, year-round. For the most part, children range in age from 6 to 13 years old and placement locations include the Capital City of Kathmandu and surrounding towns or villages. Teaching is not available in October due to the number of festivals interrupting the school schedule. Qualifications – Teaching Participants must have… ·         A desire to work with and help children. ·         Flexibility ·         Self-Motivation ·         An openness to new culture and a willingness to learn. ·         English teaching or ESL experience or certification is helpful, but not mandatory. ·         Be fluent in English     Option D - Working in an Orphanage: There are more than two hundred orphanages in existence in Kathmandu Valley, in addition to rural areas of the country. An important skill that participants are able to provide while at an orphanage is basic English language teaching to the children. Besides teaching, volunteers often assist with things such as games, nutrition and sanitation. Many orphanages welcome active participation in administrative work, health education, games, and drawing and painting creatively with the children.  The assistance that our participants provide to these poor and underprivileged children changes the meaning and perspective of the life that these orphans grow up with.   Some orphanages are less formal and basically serve as informal education training centers.  Not only is working an orphanage a life-changing experience for the volunteer, it also changes the lives of the children they help.     ~ ~ ~

Following is a sample of how your four (4) week program may be scheduled.  Visit one of the following links below for further information on each option;   Week 1 – Orientation/Introduction Weeks 2 & 3 – Volunteer Culture Program Opportunities Week 4 – Holiday Week     ~ ~ ~ Week 1 ~ Orientation/Introduction Duration: 1 week Location: Kathmandu 2008 Program Start Dates:  January 7; February 4; March 3 & 31; April 28; May 26; June 23; July 21; August 18; September 15; October 13; November 10; December 8 & 31. The Orientation is the first step for a successful stay in Nepal!  Therefore, the first week is dedicated to getting to know the country and customs, meeting other participants, and experiencing the best that Nepal has to offer. You also have an opportunity to learn about the basic Nepali language, religion, music and much more! Be immersed in the culture, lifestyle, language, food and traditions during one of our Discover Nepal programs in Kathmandu.  Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and is enriched with temples more than homes and festivals exceeding the number of days in a year. The whole valley with its seven heritage sites has been enlisted in cultural World Heritage Site list. The place, which blends cultural vigor with modern facilities possible on earth is place liked by tourists been here. The place has more to offer and it is not only administrative capital of the country but to the fullest extend capital of traditional culture and physical resources. Three Durbar Squares - Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath, Swoyambhunath and Changunarayan are the places most revered by the Kathmanduities and whole world. Kathmandu is not big when one compares it to other cities in South Asia. Kathmandu is a fascinating old city today where pagodas, narrow cobbled lanes, old carved windows, and stone shrines are backdrops to the drama of life that continues unhindered. Here the experiences are amazing, views fascinating, and the climate charming. Our Orientation schedule will be flexible but all introduction weeks usually consist of… Nepal: Culture, religion, habits, customs, history, social issues, are some of the topics that we will introduce you to through group discussions, workshops and visits. Language Skills: A first contact with the Nepali language and you will learn a few phrases to get by. Projects: If you proceed to do a volunteer project, we will give you an overview of the ongoing projects we support and send volunteers to, and an explanation of your particular placement. There will also be a project visit on site. General Information: Many new things will be introduced to you through some sessions on yoga, cooking, team work, project work, customs, habits, behavioral aspects, dos & don’ts, and emergency preparation. Cultural: Site Visits and meeting people will acclimatize you culturally. We will also do a One Day Trek up to 2000mts as an outdoor activity. You will have the opportunity to visit market places, and natural sites in groups or individually during free time. Participants are asked to bring small items from their home country (photos, music, food, etc.) and share their culture with the locals and other participants. Orientation/Introduction Food and Accommodation: The participants will be staying together in our center in shared bedrooms, and will partake all three meals together. The food is generally traditional Nepali and is a variety of dishes made of rice with sauces and vegetables. Meat is also served, especially chicken. All participants are expected to be environmentally responsible and to use all resources with restraint, especially water, paper and electricity. You will be expected to clean up after yourself, and to play your part to keep the accommodation neat and tidy.     ~ ~ ~   Weeks 2 & 3 – Participants May Experience Nepal at its Fullest by taking part in one of the program options above:   ~ ~ ~

Week 4 ~ Holiday Week Customize your final week in Nepal by enjoying one of the following options…   Option A ~ Trekking Option B ~ Culture & Trek Option C ~ Meditation Week   ~ ~ ~

Option A – Trekking: Duration:  1 week Location:  Pokhara 2008 Program Start Dates:  Every Monday, Year-Round Participants are guided on a breathtaking trekking journey for seven days.  A visit to Pokhara, the western city of Nepal, is the highlight of this trip.  Pokhara is famous for its pristine lakes and mountains and is an unforgettable experience.   ~ ~ ~   Option B – Culture & Trek: Duration: 2 weeks Location: Pokhara, Chitwan & Surrounding Areas  2008 Program Start Dates:  January 14; February 4 & 25; March 17; April 7 & 28; May 19; June 9 & 30; July 21; August 11; September 1 & 22; October 13; November 3 & 24; December 15; During these two weeks you will be busy doing a trek in the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), touring the Pokhara valley and go wildlife spotting on a Jungle Safari in the Royal Chitwan National Park. You will also have the possibility to do a white water rafting in Trisuli River. The Itinerary will be adapted to the season. Food and Accommodation: The participants will be staying together in various guesthouses and will partake all three meals together. The food is generally traditional Nepali and is a variety of dishes made of rice with sauces and vegetables. Meat is also served, especially chicken. All participants are expected to be environmentally responsible and to use all resources with restraint, especially water, paper and electricity. You will be expected to clean up after yourself, and to play your part to keep the accommodation neat and tidy. Our Program Coordinators will take care of all activities and sessions for the entire orientation week. Information on the Location: Kathmandu: Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and is enriched with temples more than homes and festivals exceeding the number of days in a year. The whole valley with its seven heritage sites has been enlisted in cultural World Heritage Site list. The place, which blends cultural vigor with modern facilities possible on earth is place liked by tourists been here. The place has more to offer and it is not only administrative capital of the country but to the fullest extend capital of traditional culture and physical resources. Three Durbar Squares - Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath, Swoyambhunath and Changunarayan are the places most revered by the Kathmanduities and whole world. Kathmandu is not big when one compares it to other cities in South Asia. Kathmandu is a fascinating old city today where pagodas, narrow cobbled lanes, old carved windows, and stone shrines are backdrops to the drama of life that continues unhindered. Here the experiences are amazing, views fascinating, and the climate charming. Annapurna: The most popular trekking route in Nepal takes you through some of the most stunning scenery on earth. You will be walking through rhododendron forests over the foothills of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges and through the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest in the world. Treks to the Annapurna region start from the lake-side resort town of Pokhara. Maximum elevation 3,939m. Royal Chitwan National Park: The Chitwan National Park (RCNP), covering an area of 932 km², is the oldest national park of Nepal. Established in 1973, it was granted the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984. The RCNP is located at the foot of the Himalayas in the Terai region, and the park is rich in flora and fauna, which include one of the last populations of single-horned Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and the Bengal tiger. The area used to be known as the Chitwan Valley. It was a place for big game hunting and until 1951 it was a hunting reserve. At the park there is canoeing, elephant rides, and guided jungle walks. . The Chitwan National Park is home to at least 43 species of mammals, 450 species of birds, and 45 species of amphibians and reptiles. Elephants and Indian rhinos are the largest species found in the park, but a lot of other large herbivores are found in the park, gaur, sambar deer, Indian muntjac, chital, hog deer, mainland serow, chousingha and wild boar. Three large predator species, tigers, leopards, dholes prey on them and carrion eaters like striped hyenas are also found. Sloth bears are among the main attractions of the Park. Smaller carnivore species are golden jackal, yellow-throated marten, ratel, smooth coated otter, small Indian civet, large Indian civet, spotted linsang, common palm civet, binturong, small Indian mongoose, Indian grey mongoose, crab-eating mongoose, leopard cat, marbled cat and fishing cat. Further mammal species found in the park are rhesus monkeys, hanuman langurs, Indian pangolin, northern palm squirrel, red giant flying squirrel, parti-colored flying squirrel, Indian porcupine, hispid hare, Indian hare and Ganges doplhin.   ~ ~ ~

Option C – Meditation: Duration: 10 Days Location: Kathmandu