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.