Namaste!

Namaste and welcome! I'm a doctor in Glasgow, Scotland. In my fourth year of medical school - in summer 2004 - I did a medical student elective at Kanti Children's Hospital in Kathmandu, and since then I've become attached to the fascinating country of Nepal.

During my planning for the trip, I found that there wasn't very much info to give students an idea of what to expect, or more importantly, the many ways that "Western students" can help by taking out supplies or raising funds. This site is an attempt to fill this gap.

Don't get me wrong: a large part of the fun and adventure of going to another country is of course the unexpected things, and it would be very boring to know exactly what a trip to Nepal will be like. But be assured that it is impossible to do this on a website anyway... the smells, sights, tastes and sounds of a country steeped in culture, religion - and the amazing hospitality to match - awaits anyone who gets the opportunity to set foot in the country.

However, a bit of pre-trip planning and anticipation of what lies ahead will make it all the more easy to savour and enjoy your trip even more. And knowing how you might be able to help and learn once you're out there, will lessen the feelings of "what can I do" when faced with some of the more challenging situations when they do happen.

When I returned to Nepal in 2005, I was reassured that in a second-glimpse of this country, the magic and adventure remains. Ongoing political events continue to put many students off. Clearly there are difficult situations and I can only offer remote guidance, but do be reassured that many of the concerning news stories relate to situations that you are unlikely to find yourself in.

I hope you find this site useful and interesting. If you have any feedback or questions, please do get in touch.

David Hogg, January 2008

The Site

Kanti Hospital: An introduction to Kanti Hospital, what happens there and how to apply for your elective.
Your Elective: Packed with ideas and tips to make your elective as successful as possible.
Nepal: A look at some of the more pertinent travel issues for students, including cultural considerations and things to do.
Projects: Why this site operates, and full information on my own elective in Nepal.
Latest News: Changes to this site and other recent happenings.
Links: Loads of tried-and-tested links - from the obvious to the newly-discovered.