About IMEC
IMEC in the News
Who We Are
Join IMEC

Porter Assistance Project
Project Sponsors
Assisting Mountain Cultures

How You Can Help IMEC

TEACH ENGLISH IN THE EVEREST REGION

Volunteer Nepal Himalaya offers participants a unique opportunity to teach English in a village school in the Himalayas and live as a family member in a local home-stay. Initially, we will spend two days in Kathmandu for lectures about health, religion, government, and Nepali culture. We then fly to Phaplu for seven days of intensive Nepali language training and teacher training. Finally, participants are placed with local families and schools as we walk from Phaplu to Monjo.

• Where will I live?
• What's a typical week like?
• Do I need to speak Nepali?
• Who may participate?
• Who we are
• Program Dates
• Program Cost
• Reading List
• For More Information and to Sign-Up

Where will I live?

Each volunteer lives with a local family as a member of the household. The families have received training on how to accommodate guests; families provide three meals a day and have boiled water available for drinking. The meals consist of traditional food such as dal bhat, noodle and rice dishes, Nepali pancakes, Sherpa stew, and a variety of other combinations. You will be eating what the family eats and most of the vegetables are even grown locally.

All of the home-stays are in small villages, many of which are on or near the trekking route to Mt. Everest. Many of the families are Sherpas, having immigrated to Nepal from Tibet in the 16^th century. As part of the family participants also become an integral part of the village community. In certain placements, participants can experience traditional Nepali culture and at times only be an hour's walk away from many Western amenities. 

What's a typical week like?

School is in session from Sunday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers wake up early with their host families and spend a few hours having tea, working in the home, or tutoring a student. In the classroom teachers will have six classes of 5 to 20 students. The age and proficiency of the students vary according to the teacher's previous experience. The headmaster interacts with the volunteers to ensure that the experience is worthwhile for both the volunteer and the school.

When not teaching volunteers are free to stay in the village or explore the endless trails and villages of the Solukhumbu region. The program coordinator will organize optional cultural treks.

Do I need to speak Nepali?

No, but it would be helpful to have a working knowledge of the language to gain insight into the culture. Volunteers are sent language training tapes and books before they arrive in Nepal, and the orientation phase is designed to assist people in learning Nepali.

Who may participate?

Anyone over the age of 18 may participate in the program. Participants who have not taught English before are requested to complete 25 hours of english as a second language (ESL) before joining the program. Most cities have ESL centers or programs that accept volunteers. Participants receive teacher training and are provided with teaching materials during the orientation portion of the program. In addition, at least one ESL specialist will visit the participating teachers throughout the program to assist with lesson plans and classroom management.

Who we are

Volunteer Nepal Himalaya was created by the International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks to promote responsible and sustainable connections between travelers and the people of developing mountain regions of the world. The IMEC established Volunteer Nepal in response to high demand among its members for opportunities to participate in volunteer work in Nepal.

The program is run by IMEC Director Scott Dimetrosky and Project Coordinator, Amanda Daflos. Scott spent months exploring the Himalayas before forming the International Mountain Explorers Connection in 1996. He has a bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Michigan and a Masters degree from Cornell University.

Amanda lived in Nepal for several months studying the Nepali language and culture. Additionally, she studied the role of women in the Nepali education system.  She holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology from Hamilton College and plans to return to school in 2004 to earn and Masters in Public Administration.

The Nepali Program Coordinator is Pasang Sherpa, who grew up herding yaks in the Khumbu region. He first came to the United States in 1989 to earn his bachelor's degree. His desire to give back to his country led him to help set up Volunteer Nepal Himalaya.

Program Dates

The program runs every spring (February through April) and fall (September through December). We require at least a two-month commitment from participants, and longer placements are encouraged.

Program Cost

We request that participants make a $1,000 tax-deductible to facilitate program coordination in the U.S. and Nepal, support volunteers in the field, and provide ESL teaching assistance and materials  (the IMEC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization). This money pays local staff and ESL specialists to coordinate homestays, school placements, and teacher training, plus it helps renovate and expand the schools.

Additional expected costs include:

• Airfare to Nepal ($1,100 to $1,400 from the U.S.)
• Program books/tapes ($50)
• IMEC membership ($30)
• Immunizations before program (about $100-$200)
• Flight to Phaplu ($170 roundtrip)
• Hotels and meals in Kathmandu and Phaplu during the orientation (about $15/day)
• Language/teacher training in Kathmandu and Phaphlu ($100)
• Sixty day entry visa in Nepal, obtained at airport ($30)
• Two-one month Visa extension ($100)
• Homestay in village, including all meals ($120/month)
• Candy/snacks/alcoholic beverages/email contact ($50/month)
• Medical/Evacuation Insurance ($110)

Note that all program costs, including airfare, are U.S. tax-deductible.

Reading List (included after sign-up)

• Basic Course in Spoken Nepali(Book and Tapes)
• Nepali for Trekkers and Travelers(Tapes)
• Nepali Phrasebook
• English-Nepali Dictionary
• ESL Teachers Activities Kit
• Stories and Customs of the Sherpas

Sample Schedule

February 1: Depart for Nepal
February 2: In transit
February 3: Arrive in Kathmandu, settle into Kathmandu Guest House, group dinner at the Sherpa Himalayan Restaurant.
February 4: BK Shretha, who used to work with the Peace Corp Volunteers will share his experiences and ideas about what to expect in teaching and living in the village setting. Afternoon, visa extension at the immigration center. Visit Boudhanath.
February 5: Dr. Hridaya from the Tribuban University will give a talk on the Education System in Nepal. Afternoon lecture from CIWEC Dr. Springer about staying healthy in Nepal. Do last minute shopping, money changing, and packing.
February 6: Early flight to Phaplu, language class, and teacher training.
February 7-12: Language classes and teacher training
February 13: Last day of language and teacher training in Phaplu. Frances Kletzel talk on Sherpa culture and religion and slide show.
February 14-17: Placement in families and trek towards Khumbu.
February 18-April 28: Continued teaching in village schools
April 29. Participants can continue to teach, if they'd like, or begin a trek in the Khumbu region.

Note that the schools are closed for approximately one month during the fall for the holiday of Dasain. During this time participants can trek and/or participate in a community service project.

For More Information and to Sign-Up

For more information about the program please e-mail us (info@mountainexplorers.org) or call 303-998-0101.