Uniquely Nepal: Finding your strength while surrendering to nature

Hey guys! I am Nivedhidha from Singapore!
I just completed my three-week Teaching program in Nepal and I am truly amazed by what I am capable of now. I decided to do this program while waiting for a job placement. I knew nothing about teaching before this program. I signed up and received a very good pre-departure support from IVHQ which motivated me to go for this program.

From the moment I landed, Nepal has only amazed me, with its people, culture and majestic landscapes. Home to the top ten mountains in the world, I was floored by the panoramic views and warmth of the Nepalese people. I was based in Pokhara which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. When i arrived there with my fellow volunteers, I was made to feel so welcomed at a Nepali home and our needs were so well taken care of.

I was going to teach at the Step by Step Boarding school and that right there was my first experience as a teacher. My nervousness peaked while standing in front of a bunch of 8 year-olds with gleaming faces, pretty uniforms, notebooks with doodles and a dusty blackboard. I was taken back to my school days for a few freezing seconds. My students started asking me so many questions and it made my self-introduction easier than I imagined. We spoke about a variety of things and they were always excited to hear my stories. I have never felt so embraced before and it was definitely a special kind of feeling. The teachers in the school were equally accepting of the volunteers. As i got introduced to more students from different grades, I found myself getting better at this job. I conducted activities where students were able to better grasp concepts and teachers were impressed with the methods that volunteers use.

I grew closer to my students and they would keep asking me to teach even though I did not have a class with them. Special moments like these made me realise the impact I could have on the younger generation. Fortunately I have a solid educational background and to be able to give back to the society, makes me feel worth it. The living conditions of some students arent that great but I see hope in all them, for a better future.
I interacted with some students who said "We are studying because we want to make Nepal a better place so more people will come visit our country. We want to live in Nepal, not anywhere else." This melted my heart indeed. It always refreshing to hear kids speak their mind.

The innocence of Nepalese children struck a chord in me. I learnt to not take things for granted back at home. The limited teaching resources pushed me to think creatively to achieve my lesson objectives. Their rich culture made me more humble towards strangers. I immersed myself in treks and paragliding activities which was beyond my physical boundary but it was completely rewarding at the end. Travelling in Nepal connected me with nature and brought me closer to myself. I sensed a silence within which helps you to observe life around you. An intense sunrise, misty lakes, mountains peaking through dense clouds and a spiritual calmness become a daily blessing in this country.

These were some of the highlights of my trip and I will cherish them forever. You don't need to be an experienced person to volunteer. You only need an open mindset and a positive attitude towards humans of our world. Some of us are gifted with resources while some aren't. However, they are no less because you would be surprised by the kind of life skills you can learn from them. I found one of my strengths. So will YOU. I encourage YOU to go onboard with IVHQ and Find Yourself! Because,
Travelling is LIFE.