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Trek to Teach

Why choose Trek to Teach?

Trek to Teach seeks motivational teachers eager to educate children in the Nepali Himalayas. Due to the mountainous geographical region surrounding schools and communities in Himalayas, students often find it difficult to attend school. Trek to Teach teachers serve as motivation to inspire children to attend school regularly. All teachers are provided with an orientation and home-stay during their time in Nepal.

Teachers can expect to:
- Live in the beauty of a remote rural village
- Be welcomed into the home of an amazing host family
- Gain valuable teaching and communication experience by teaching 6 days/week
- Return home rejuvenated with extra strength and stamina from hiking through the Himalayas

In their free time, teachers are encouraged to visit other nearby villages, trek to Annapurna Basecamp, or soak in the hotsprings at Jihnu.

A longer weekend away from classes can lead you to a retreat in the resort town of Pokhara.

Founded
2011

Reviews

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Jonathan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Program in Annapurna

I enjoyed living with the family I stayed with. It was alot of fun teaching and adapting CELTA methods to the classroom. The more you plan and bring supplies the better you will do. Great treking opportunities. I was able to go to Tibet and completed a Kailash Khora. The family I stayed with are great and I remain in contact with them 5 years later. I enjoyed learning about the Gurung beliefs, their Shamnism, practicing Nyingmapa buddhism and learning about Modi river valley. I enjoyed me stay there alot.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
An insect that dies and becomes a plant. I am not sure what this is called, but it is thought to have alot of health benefits, of which I am leery.
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Regina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Memorable and Rewarding

I joined Trek to Teach in 2018, and it was my first time living/teaching in another country. I was really excited about the opportunity to teach abroad, but was also a little nervous. TTT was outstanding though, and I didn't need to be nervous about anything! Their pre-departure training is super helpful, and their in-country staff is remarkable. I felt supported throughout every step of my journey and left Nepal with a full heart and lifelong memories.

TTT works to ensure the best experience possible for every volunteer and works endlessly to ensure the success of its program. I strongly recommend this program to anyone interested in teaching abroad! Whether your are a first time teacher or a seasoned-pro, there is value in this program for anyone and everyone. I especially recommend this program if you are taking a gap year or a gap semester.

What would you improve about this program?
I really loved my time with TTT and was sad that I had only signed up for three months. If I could do it all over again, I would have stayed longer!
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Katie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Rewarding and Eye-opening Experience in Nepal

Trek to Teach was a lifechanging experience for me. In my short three months in Nepal, I learned so much about myself, Nepali culture and was able to broaden my perspective on the world. I enjoyed exploring Kathmandu and taking in breathtaking views of the Himalayas while trekking on various trails in the Annapurna region. While teaching in a rural Nepali government school comes with its challenges, the work came with great reward. From my students to my host family and other community members in my village, I truly believe that Nepal is home to some of the nicest people in the world. I felt extremely welcomed in my village and felt that I was able to experience authentic Nepali life at the hands of the relationships that I was able to form. While I highly recommend this program to someone who is seeking adventure and the desire to positively impact the lives of some of the most deserving people in the world, it does take the right type of person. Having the ability to be flexible and to have little to no expectations is imperative for having a successful experience not only for yourself but for your future students as well.

What would you improve about this program?
The hardest thing about this program is the short amount of time that teachers spend in their villages teaching. There is a quick turnaround of teachers in these villages, which makes it difficult to establish a routine in the classroom and to implement long term change for the students. This is something that is difficult to change as a volunteer-run non-profit, but a change that I see making a drastic shift in the overall impact of the program.
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Laura
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Another World

I spent 9 weeks teaching in the rural Annapurna village of Kimche. The hospitality and welcoming spirit of the Nepal village people in unparalleled. From the moment us teachers arrived at the airport in Nepal, to the moment we left, we were looked after. The US and Nepali teams have been working with teachers and travelers for over a decade and know what is important before and during your stay - so whether you're an experienced traveler or venturing out for the first time, rest assured you will have people looking out for you. This is an experience that will push you and challenge you physically, mentally, and emotionally in ways you never thought possible. Not only did we do the 4 day trek to our villages, but we had the opportunity to trek on weekends to nearby villages and then to Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Himal Base Camp over school breaks. The rest of my time was spent in my village - Kimche - where I hiked (and I mean HIKED) up the mountain to school everyday. The school days were not without their challenges: language barriers, different school systems, different expectations for teachers and students than we're used to, behavior, etc. However, the relationship created with students, despite these factors, was far beyond anything I expected. The students, their families, and the community truly valued and appreciated what we, as teachers, brought to them. Regardless of your teaching experience, there is so much to offer these students and this community. Yet, I guarantee you will learn more from these people than you are able to teach. I was fully accepted and immersed in Nepali culture and life, truly becoming a member of that community and family for the time I was there. I left Nepal with a much larger family - so grateful for all of my brothers (dai's/bhai's) and sisters (didi's and bahini's). From daily volleyball games to cultural rituals, exhausting treks to quiet nights in the village, and helping host families in the fields to after school tea at a student's house, these are experiences I will never forget.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice would be to go into this experience with a completely open mind. You will experience moments that you never could have excepted, ones that make you uncomfortable and push you beyond your limits, however there is learning in every single moment. You must be willing to challenge yourself and I promise that you will be repaid, tenfold with the experience you gain and the love you receive from this country and its people.
Read my full story
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Regina
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Learning Things I Never Knew I Needed To Know

I learned a lot while I was abroad, about myself and the world. While I was there, I trekked through the foothills of the Himalayas. Before Nepal, that sounded nearly impossible. But I promise almost anyone can do it! And it's 100% a confidence booster to do something that you've never done before (like backpacking). I also taught ESL, which was daunting because I was entirely unfamiliar with Nepali. But I learned it bit by bit while I was there and discovered an immense passion for their language. This made teaching a little easier as well as everyday life a little more fun. Most importantly, I met incredible people from all over the world! Everyone goes to Nepal to trek (Europeans, Australians, Asians, etc.), and talking with other trekkers opens your eyes in a new way. I don't think there is another place in the world where you can go and meet such a unique mix of people in a single evening. Because Trek to Teach places its teachers in guest houses (hostels designed for trekkers), you can meet a variety of people and learn about their lives. So what did I learn while I was abroad? I learned that I can do "this." I can teach. I can backpack. I can navigate international airports solo. I can travel in a foreign country. I can learn a new language (it's never too late). I learned so much and gained so much confidence that I never knew I needed. I also learned about the world. I learned about political situations in smaller countries and about the developmental phases of nations worldwide. I learned about other religions (Hinduism and Buddhism) and tried new foods. I learned that Nepal strives for peace and harmony and that the Nepali people have a large capacity to love. This program taught me all of these things and more by introducing me to a new nation, and I hope to learn even more when I return. Because with Nepal, once is never enough!

What would you improve about this program?
This program, by and large, seems to benefit the teacher immensely. It's a great experience for someone who is trying to live in a foreign country for a short stint or for someone who has never lived abroad before. This was perfect for me as I was trying to see if I was capable of living abroad for such a long period of time...and my unwillingness to leave at the end of three months was confirmation that I can in fact live abroad. But my heart hurts for the students who grow fond of teachers that leave after three months. These students love so well and quite frequently have to say goodbye to teachers they admire. I wish there were a better way of staying connected afterward or a better way of making a more long-term impact on the community.

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I found this program years ago and was intrigued by the opportunity to teach, travel, and be active all at the same.

I was looking for something off the beaten track, that most people do not get the opportunity to do, and somewhere I could volunteer for a longer period of time. Once researching more about the program and going through my first interview, I realized that my values were in line with those of the program and that it would be a great fit.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

I organized this trip completely on my own, as I was already a teacher in Canada and had found this program independently. I submitted an application to Trek to Teach, met with them for two interviews and then, once accepted, followed their very thorough and detailed instructions for preparation and pre-departure.

TTT truly covers all its bases and does everything they can to assist the teacher prior to arriving and in Nepal.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Challenge yourself. Know that this program is not going to be a walk in the park, but will challenge you physically, emotionally, and mentally in so many different ways. It is incredibly demanding and will push you to the edge of your comfort zone and beyond; however, that is where growth happens. An incredible amount of growth.

So go, experience this, with an open mind, an open heart, and a willingness to learn from every moment.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

In the village, I woke up quite early due to the sun and movement of my family - generally around 7 am. I would often finish lesson planning in the morning or take time to catch up with friends and family back home, as the time change was convenient in the morning.

Around 9:15 am, I set off to school, as it was a good 20-25min walk up to the school each day. I taught 3 classes in the morning, broke for "tiffin" (lunch) at 1, played volleyball with the older students, then resumed classes for the afternoon.

When school finished at 4 pm, I walked down with the students or went to the volleyball ground to wait for the 4:30 pm daily game with local guys. Afterward, I would go back to my guesthouse, catch up with my host family, help with any chores I could, including preparing for dinner.

We ate dinner around 7 pm, on stools in the kitchen, then I spent the evening with my host family little sister and neighbor girls. I often read books or watched videos and then went to bed anywhere between 8-10 pm.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My greatest fear about Nepal was having to leave and say goodbye.

I had said a lot of goodbyes in my life recently and was fully aware that being in Nepal for so long, I would likely forge strong ties and relationships to the village and its people. I prepared myself and the students as best I could for my leaving; however, it was still difficult.

It was tough knowing the situation I was leaving some of the students in; however, I needed to remind myself that that life is all they know. It's not up to me to change their lives, situations, or circumstances; rather I had become one small part of their world for the time I was there.

There will always be goodbyes and people you wish you could take with you, but I left knowing that I did all I could to be a positive presence in their life, hopefully, instilled happiness, and left some of them with memories that they will carry forward throughout their lives.

In what ways were you challenged that you did not expect?

Although I knew cultural differences would be abundant, there were several times I was not prepared for what I was going to experience.

There were several practices in the community, at home, and especially at school, that are very much so different from those of western society and the life I am used to at home. Moments like students getting hit by teachers in front of the entire school for not knowing their times' tables, watching a shaman perform a cultural ritual on a girl who they believe has demons or being looked down upon by an entire group of people who do not understand you and cannot communicate with you.

I felt as though a lot of times I had to take a step back, bite my tongue, and ride out the moment. As much as I didn't agree with what was happening, or was uncomfortable, I had to accept that those feelings were my baggage. I felt that way because of the life I lead at home; however, that's not how life is here. I could not always change those moments - nor was entitled to, or needed to - but I could learn something from it.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Emily Meyers

Job Title
Director of Education
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Miami U & USD Graduate. Lived Australia's Nomad Life. English Teacher in China. Explorer. Reader. Writer. Perpetually Happy & Restless.

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memories, in general, are definitely those spent in the Himalayas. To be specific, this past summer I went hiking with a few new teachers for TTT and one of our brilliant guides.

We hiked a rough eight hour day the day before (complete with rain and leeches) and woke up the next morning with dense clouds surrounding us. This would have been beautiful to see, but I had woken up in the same spot a year prior with the exact same view - none. So, our group decided to have a rest day and hope that the clouds would clear tomorrow.

We were at the peak of where we were going and the hope was that the clouds would part so that we'd be able to see the famous Annapurna Mountain Range. The clouds didn't let up all day and we weren't very hopeful that the morning would be any different. Just before 5 am the next day, our guide (Suman) started pounding at our door - urging us to get up!

We stumbled downstairs, still mostly asleep, to something different: the beginnings of sunlight and the snow topped mountains. Other travelers padded down and all of us, from a dozen or so different countries, made our way outside in silence to see the sunrise over the giants that had eluded us the day before (and the summer before that). Instant coffee in my hand, the wind in my face, I was happier than I had been in recent memory.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Through TTT I have become infinitely more independent and my thirst and appreciation for those things that are different in our lives have been strengthened.

I spent the summer in Kathmandu and trekking through the Annapurna Region; leaving my friends, family, and fiancé at home. TTT provided me with an exhilarating experience where I was able to give back and grow as an individual in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

I came home with a refreshed outlook on living, teaching, and one's lifestyle. "Less is more," is not usually practiced where I am from, but now I see this change of mine being reflected in my day-to-day actions and outlook.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

TTT teachers' happiness is based on small successes that have big impacts. Many of the previous volunteers have not had prior teaching experience, so teaching is the hardest part of their journey.

Recently, I was able to hear a previous teacher retell a story of how she spent a long time trying to teach her Grade 1 students the concept of "afraid" (it was part of the chapter they were learning). For some reason, the students could not grasp this word and the teacher was met with a sense of frustration and failure.

After continuing to work hard and not giving up, weeks later this teacher came into her classroom and her students were hiding under their desks. Confused, she just stood there and waited. After a minute all of the students jumped up and tried to scare her! They wanted her to be "afraid".

The moment of realization that came after that her students not only understood this concept, but could put it into action, became this teacher's proudest moment. It was then that she knew she was making progress and working for the better.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

As a teacher in the States, I would love nothing more than to be placed in one of our villages and teach for an extended amount of time at one of our partner-schools. Having visited our schools this summer, I saw how wonderful the students were and how in need they are for a long-term English teacher.

Being able to form meaningful and lasting connections with our mountain students would be an unparalleled experience. Our volunteers do not only take over the role of the teacher, but they also become friends, confidants, and advocates. I would love to experience this first-hand.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Our company is unique because all of the members have experienced life in Nepal and many of us are prior teachers. Therefore, each of us knows the challenges that come with uprooting your life to live in a completely foreign country. This provides us with the ability to empathize and help our volunteers assimilate into Himalayan life and their teaching role.

Additionally, our Nepali team is made up of the warmest and most wonderful individuals who work tirelessly from the moment our volunteers arrive to the moment they depart making sure that the transition into the Nepali lifestyle goes as smoothly as possible.

Each of us within the company knows we are working for the betterment of Nepal's rural youth. We've met our students, watched them grow, and worked with community members and educators so that their futures are brighter. We are a small organization, but one full of love. And love is powerful.