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The Nepal Project is a student-led initiative at SIS that aims to support a school in Shila Devi by raising funds, collecting clothes and school supplies, as well as sending a team of students and teachers to Nepal every year to provide interactive lessons to the students. This not only benefits the students but also inspires local teachers to adopt a more interactive teaching style.

As someone who has been involved with the Nepal Project for several years, I recently had the chance to join the trip to Nepal, and it was a life-changing experience that I want to share with others. The trip lasted for around 10 days, and there were 12 people in our group, including 10 students and 2 teachers.

Our first two days were spent in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, where we immersed ourselves in the local culture through various activities such as singing bowls, Nepali art, and visiting a monkey temple. It was a unique experience that allowed us to broaden our perspectives and learn about a new culture that was vastly different from our own.

However, most of the trip was spent in Nagarkot, an area outside of the city where we stayed at a cozy hotel with friendly staff and delicious food. Our main focus was teaching at the Shila Devi school, which has classes ranging from kindergarten to 8th grade. We had prepared interactive lesson plans to inspire both the students and teachers, and I primarily taught classes for 1st-4th graders, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

It was a challenge to overcome the language barrier since most of the students only speak Nepali, but we found ways to communicate through gestures and translation. We provided the students with access to resources which could enhance their learning environment since don’t even have their own notebooks, which makes learning difficult. They loved the interactive activities we planned, such as English word bingo, Math Jeopardy, creating landforms with play dough, and Duck Duck Goose.

Teaching these students was an opportunity for me to step into the role of a teacher and learn how to control a class, create a safe and supportive learning environment, and foster student development. The experience allowed me to bond with the students quickly, and it was tough to say goodbye to them on our last day.

We spent the last two days of the trip hiking and enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings of Nepal. It was breathtaking to see the mountains and the environment that the Nepalese people live in, and it gave us a greater appreciation for their way of life.

I am grateful for this unforgettable experience and strongly encourage other students to join the Nepal Project. It’s a great way to have fun while making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.