Program Reviews

Had an absolute blast. So much to see in Nepal and so many Nepali youth to help and just have fun with. Nepali locals are friendly and accommodating, and working with the IFRE allowed for a smooth, welcome transition into Nepal. Food and activities are great and cheap. There's a ton to experience in Nepal, especially if you want to take a hiking trip outside of Kathmandu. Try to see and enjoy as much as possible, especially helping with loads of diverse volunteer work. It can be a very fulfilling trip to take, as well just a lot of fun.

Volunteering at the orphanage was more than just a simple act of giving back; it was a deeply enriching and transformative experience that left an indelible mark on my heart. From the moment I stepped through the doors of the orphanage, I was greeted with smiles that radiated warmth and genuine affection. The children, despite facing challenges and hardships that no child should ever have to endure, possessed an incredible resilience that was both humbling and awe-inspiring.
One of the most striking aspects of the experience was witnessing the boundless energy and zest for life that the children exhibited on a daily basis. Despite the uncertainty of their circumstances, they approached each day with an infectious enthusiasm that was impossible to resist. Whether they were playing games engaging in creative activities, or simply learning, their joy was palpable and served as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.

The project itself was a wonderful stage for me. Kathmandu is full of festivals, events and beautiful moments. The coordinator will help you figure out your topic and offer you information around it and any related things that are happening in the city. You can build your portfolio with them and experience life as a photojournalist. The program does require you to be highly proactive. After all, it's a stage, you are the performer. I'm glad and happy that I joined the program and met wonderful people. The hostel feels like a second home to me.

This was my first time doing an overseas volunteering program and it was absolutely amazing! The placement in the school was quite nice and the students really enjoyed your company there. Although they clearly were not used to English, they put effort and they were very eager to show their culture. The hostel accommodation was very safe, clean, and the family was superbly fun! I really miss the hotpots and the delicious curry! Ayutthaya is a gorgeous city and I have plenty of time to explore it (to the point of getting a sunburn from trying to visit all the places!). I was checking the photos of took there the other day and there is none where I'm not smiling. It was my first time in Thailand and I think I never learned so much about a foreign culture as I did this time. I definitely recommend it!

The language and culture course in Kathmandu was fantastic. It gave me an opportunity learn about Nepali culture as well the basics of the language. It afforded me the opportunity to be a conscientious traveler, not just a tourist. The staff were very welcoming and helpful. I would recommend this program for anyone staying in Nepal for an extended period. The staff at the home stay provided breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day and they made a concerted effort to serve appealing food for foreign visitors.

This has been a great experience. I was pick-up from the airport and taken to the hostel and had a day to rest! I was also feed at the hostel and was told about Nepal and its custom and about the orphanage I was going to. The orphanage has been great the kids are the best part! The staff is so nice and helpful always answering my questions and helping me. The orphanage and apartments are safe too. The staff is so helpful as well letting you know things to see and places to avoid to be safe. Being with the kids is the highlight of the trip and an experience I will never forget!

I did a hands-on medical program in Katmandu with 3 of my fellow co-students from Denmark. The host family was so sweet and made sure we were having a good time staying with them. Overall the food was good, but mostly carbs (rice with potatoes) which was a bit hard in the long run.
The hospital stay was okay, mostly observation. Some of the doctors were really good at informing you about cases, some were not.
We made arrangements with the family so that we were allowed to stay out late some days which was nice.

I went to Nepal to do a hands on medical program in Kathmandu. I traveled with my three co-students and lived at a homestay with the nicest family. The host mom cooked us breakfast and dinner every day. The food was good but not that balanced, while it was mostly carbs as pasta, rice and potatoes with a small amount of vegetables. The program has strict house rules regarding dinnertime and when you have to be at your room. We didn't know about the rules until the fist morning at the house where we had to sign the acceptance of them. If you want to go somewhere in the evening it is possible to make an agreement with the family which helps alot.
The area neighborhood where we lived was nice but a little far away from the hospital that we worked in. But to our luck the host dad drove us to work many days.
The hospital was great and the staff was mostly nice and welcoming. The program was not as much "hands on" as you could have hoped, but if that is because of missing initiative from ourselves or because of skepticism from the doctors I am not quit sure of.

Already before we arrived at Nepal we were assigned a coordinator who took care of all the practical circumstances and answered all our questions at any time, which was really nice and reassuring. The coordinator welcomed us when we arrived and made sure we settled in well at our homestay. She was also very nice and helpfull with everything.

Overall I had a great time with IFRE in Nepal and the hands on medical program. It was nice to have local people arrange our stay because they know their country and how things are done there. Also it is very valuable to have local contacts who can introduce you to all kind of things.

This was my first time visiting this beautiful country and my trip and experience was well facilitated by the IFRE staff. The sceneries and beaches in Galle were breath taking. The people were welcoming and respectful. The food was really good. On one weekend, the country coordinator, Michael took us to the 'Elephant Orphanage' where we learnt about the Asian elephants and their life cycle. We also go to ride the elephant, feed her and give her a bath and in return the elephant showered us with water from her trunk. It was a great memorable experience. On the contrary, the hospital experience wasn't as 'Hands On' as expected. It was more of an 'observation' rather than actually being assigned tasks to perform.

I have had the privilege to do a medical volunteering experience in Galle, Srilanka. Firstly, we stayed with the host family which were very nice and hospitable, made sure we felt comfortable during our stay.
Secondly, the medical exposure was a bit of a let down. Due to the main reason being the language barrier between me and the patients as well as some of the healthcare workers, which made me shift my program from the pediatrics department to the emergency medicine department which was a much better decision, the cases I saw were much more interesting and the doctors their were more engaging. However, the overall medical volunteering experience felt more of a medical elective rather than a hands on experience.