Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP)
Pokhara, Nepal
Frequently Asked Questions
Before The Programme Starts...
Who is this programme for?It is for everyone, who is interested to have totally new experiences and get to know a wonderful and fascinating country. Skills in teaching are not necessary. So far, most of the volunteers have just finished school (around 19 to 22 years old) but everyone and people with skills (teaching, social workers, etc...) who want to experience a different way of teaching in another culture, are also most welcome.
The volunteers should be flexible, self dependent and open for making new experiences and meeting people from another culture. We do not make any selection but we expect that you know wheter your mental and physical condition is appropriate for participating the programme.
Does CEP have a religious background?
No, CEP does not have a religious background or anything similar. It is for everyone who is willing to get to know Nepal, independent of his/her nationality and religion.
How long has CEP been existing?
This programme has been existing for more than one year now. In March 2003, the first four people participated the programme and about 30 people have participated the programme since then.
What are important/useful things to take with me?
* Passport
* Vaccination certificate
* Traveller checks/VISA card
* Cash, some small dollar bills are recommended
* Passport pictures for the visa extention
* Mosquito net
* Guide book / phrase book / dictionnary
* Vitamin tablets
* Padlock
* Sleeping bag
* Sun blocker
* Alarm clock
* First-aid-kit
* Insect repellent (e.g. Antibrumm)
* Water purifying tablets (for trekking) e.g Micropur(r)
My English is not perfect, will it be a problem?
Most of the volunteers worry far to much about the language. You will get into talking English really fast and there will always be a way to communicate.
If you are not sure about your English, it is a good idea to take a dictionary with you. Regarding Nepali; even though it is totally different to German or English, is not impossible to learn.
Which phases are compulsory?
Phase 1 (orientation class) and Phase 3 (teaching and family stay). The other phases are optional.
Where can I get the visa for Nepal?
You can either get it at home from the Nepali consulate or at every entering point to Nepal (airport in Kathmandu, entering points from India). Your passport has to be valid at least 6 months longer than your stay in Nepal. You have to get a tourist visa, which is 30 $ for the first 2 months, after that 30 $ for every month more. You can extend the visa in Pokhara. Do not mention in the visa apply, that you are going to do volunteer work, (every volunteer "works" in Nepal on a tourist visa except the 2-years-staying American Peace Corps volunteers). You will need passport pictures for the visa extention.
How long can I stay in Nepal?
On a tourist visa you can stay 5 months in one calendar year.
How do I get to Nepal?
Please look as early as possible for your flight, it can be very difficult to get a reasonable offer.
The easiest (but most expensive) way is a direct flight (e.g. Thai Airways, Qatar airlines, Austrian Airlines, Air India, KLM) to Kathmandu. Another possibility is flying to India (Delhi) and go by bus/flight to Pokhara/Kathmandu. In this case, you need a 15-days transit visa for India (25 sFr). STA Travel (www.sta.ch) and Globetrotter (www.globetrotter.ch) give good flight offers for young people.
What vaccinations are necessary for Nepal?
There are no official regulations but Hepatitis A and B are recommended (4 weeks before departure). Typhoid (capsules) and Polio vaccine are recommended too. Your tetanus, mumps, measles, German Measles (Röteln) and Diphteria boosters should also be up to date..
Japanese Encephalitis is recommended in very rural areas and is not necessary for Pokhara. Rabies can be done as well, but is not necessary for Pokhara. Malaria prophylaxis is not necessary neither, bring an emergency medicine (e.g. Mefloquin) if you wish to participate in the Chitwan programme. Contact your doctor or a travel vaccination center at least 6 weeks before you leave for Nepal.
What will happen before the programme?
The programme starts in Pokhara, so you are responsible for your accomodation in Kathmandu and transportation to Pokhara. In Thamel area, Kathmandu, rooms are available for 150 to 300 NRs. The taxi from the airport to Thamel costs around 150 NRs.
1 SFr = 69.53800 NRs
How do I get to Pokhara?
There are many buses every day to Pokhara and the journey to Pokhara costs around 200 NRs. You can book easily in travel agencies all over Thamel. Please get detailed information out of a guidebook (e. g. Lonely Planet).
Please make sure that you can check your e-mail in Kathmandu (there are dozens of internet cafes in Thamel) for the latest details about your arrival in Pokhara.
When will trekking and the trip to Chitwan start?
These dates are flexible, depending on the weather and wishes of the participants. These dates will be fixed after your arrival.
Can I get in contact with former volunteers?
Please ask by e-mailing rahelmeister@gmx.ch, when you are seriously interested in the programme. We will also tell you the e-mail addresses of the volunteers going at the same time to Nepal as you (if there are any), so you may go together.
Teaching...
What will the school be like?You will teach in either a Nepali or Tibetan school. There will be 30 to 70 students in each class, age from 10 to 13 years. They can write and speak English and the students will have text-books, note-books and writing materials. Other teaching materials are available in Pokhara. It is not necessary to bring books with you, but of course you can if you have some. (Story books, Singing books,...) Other materials like balls, pictures, musical instruments, games are also useful things to bring with you.
What will the class be like?
The classes in Nepal are quite different from our Swiss schools. In Nepal, the class is almost all the time ex-cathedra teaching (Frontalunterricht) and you might have problems in encouraging the pupils to think by themselves and to act independently. But so far, all the volunteers have taken these challenges and dealt with it very well. Don't worry, dare it!
What subjects will I teach?
You can teach English, science, maths, sports, computer or arts. It depends on the school and on your preferences.
How many lessons will I take a day?
Normally you will teach 4 lessons a day, each of them 40 minutes. This can also vary a little bit.
How many months will I teach?
The duration of your service is chosen by you, but in general, we expect at least two months.
Can I teach in a Tibetan monastery?
Yes, there is a placement in a tibetan village, where you can teach the Tibetan children and also monks.
Accomodation...
How far away is the accommodation from the school?Not more than 20 minutes by walk. It is possible to rent bicycles in Pokhara and there are many buses.
What is the accommodation like?
You will stay either in a Nepali or Tibetan family. You will have your own room and your family will speak English.
Shall I bring a present for my host family?
It is not necessary but of course they will be very happy. E. g. picture book or souvenirs from your country, (Swiss army knife, chocolate,....). Pictures of your family, friends, pets and house are also a good idea to bring with you.
Can I choose my placement?
Without any special request from you, CEP will choose the placement for you. If you have a special wish (Tibetan village, small classes,...) let us know.
What can I do the rest of the day?
In Pokhara are many things to do in your free time. You can do day-walks, visiting Hindu temples and Tibetan villages, boating, swimming, cycling, horse riding, yoga (we can recommend the "Nepali Yoga Center" Lake side 6, Pokhara), shopping (there are many bookshops too), thanka-painting (tibetan art), e-mail/internet, learning Nepali, meeting other volunteers, cinema, having a massage...You might also want to help your family, learning Nepali cooking, doing your washing, or similar things.
How much do things cost in Pokhara?
Internet 1 hour: 1.20 bis 3 sFr.
One Meal: 2 bis 5 sFr.
Photo developing: 4 bis 8 sFr/Film
Bus: 10 bis 30.- Rp.
Taxi: 1 bis 3.- sFr.
Simple hotel room: 2 bis 5.- sFr
You can also look in your guidebook for current prices.
Trekking And Chitwan...
What clothes shall I bring for trekking?Good hiking boots, warm jacket, socks, sleeping bag, sun glasses are important in every season. During summer (monsoon) also bring a raincoat and maybe a rain cover for your backpack. In winter bring warm pullovers, gloves, hat and fleece. A stick is helpful. Everything for trekking is available in Pokhara (good quality and much cheaper than in Europe).
What should I bring for Chitwan?
Chitwan (situated in the Terai) is the hottest part of Nepal, Summer clothes, suncream and sun-cap are necessary.
Organisational Information...
How and when do I have to apply for the programme?Please see above for that. You can also apply at short notice, but please consider preparations like flight booking, vaccinations, etc. You will also fill in an application form (your address at home, etc) after your arrival in Pokhara.
Is it possible to have a confirmation letter in advance?
Yes, if you need it in advance (e.g. for your insurance, working place,....) please write an e-mail and we will send it by post. It will contain the signature of the school's principal. Otherwise (if not needed in advance) you will get this letter after your arrival in Pokhara.
When will I pay?
You will pay in Nepali Rupees within 3 days after your arrival in Pokhara.
What happens when I have to/want to quit the programme earlier than planned?
In this case you will get the prepaid money back.
What is my money used for?
The wages of Nyima Rinzin, the language teacher and the cook in the Children's Shelter Centre are covered by this money. The host families get half of the money paid for phase 3. The rest is used to run the children's shelter centre. Some expenses per month are:
| rent shelter centre | $ 45 |
| school admission fees for 4 kids/year | $ 60 |
| food, clothes, soaps, etc. | $ 215 |
| electricity | $ 22 |
| gas cylinder | $ 23 |
| water | $ 7.5 |
| wage cook | $ 29 |
| language teacher/volunteer | $ 15 |
| family/volunteer | $ 65 |
Will I get a service certificate at the end of the programme?
Yes, every volunteer will get a certificate. This can be helpful for later job applications or similar matters.
Where can I learn more about Nepal?
It is very helpful to read a guidebook (Lonely Planet, Rough guide, Reise Kow-How), as they contain many information about people, religion, festivals, weather, geography, climate, do's and don't's, food, etc...
We expect from our volunteers to prepare themselves by reading such a guide book about Nepal. For learning the Nepali language, we recommend that you buy a phrasebook (see above for that) and bring it with you for the language course.
Anything else to know? Please do not hesitate to write an e-mail!