| Future Nepal Programs |
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| Frequently asked questions | |
When should I arrive?
Where will my placement be?
Do I need to speak Nepali to participate?
What are the living conditions of my placement? The living conditions of the placement depend on the area. One should not expect luxurious accommodations here in Nepal . You will be placed within a family setting with your own room. Most placements have electricity. (If electricity is an asset it can be arranged). Our host families are mostly educated, well respected in society, and experienced with international students. Some members of host families may speak English. Is there anything I can bring with me that would be useful to your organization?
Are their any special items that I should bring that I may not have thought of? This will vary depending on what non — Future Nepal activities you want to participate in (trekking, whitewater rafting, etc.) and how much you need to be comfortable during your placement. With the exception of medicine, first-aid-kit and high-tech trekking gear, you can buy everything that you would need for your placement in Kathmandu (likely cheaper than in your home country). Here are a few suggestions:
Can I change my volunteer placement if I get dissatisfied? We will consider request of volunteer seriously for the change of place and in many cases it is possible to change the working areas to meet the expectation of volunteers. We cannot change position frequently with out genuine reasons. How will I get to headquarters from the Airport? There is nothing to worry about. One of our representative will be waiting for you at the airport terminal. He will be holding a sign with your name on it. Please do not forget to send your detailed flight itinerary. Please call this number in case of emergency or stand-by flight situation. 977-9851088020 Will I have time to explore Kathmandu during my language and culture program? There will be plenty of time for you to explore the Kathmandu Valley during orientation. We offers full day guided tour of Kathmandu valley as a part of the language program. How much extra money should I bring? We manage food and accommodation for our volunteers. You may need some extra money if you plan on taking part in adventure activities outside the organization or if you just want to buy some souvenirs. You must also remember the VISA fee, which can range from 30-60 US dollars depending on the length of stay. There is also an airport tax, which you pay upon your departure of Nepal . This can range from $15-25 US dollars. Will I have access to communications such as, e-mail, telephone, and post office? This all depends on your placement. Almost all placements will have access to a Post Office. If you are in a city placement there are many places in which you can use phone or access e-mail. Can I come with a friend or can I be placed near other volunteers? We allow people to come with a friend or even in a large group. You sometimes may be placed in different homes located within 1-2 miles. We can place any volunteer near to another volunteer already working in the field. Please be reminded that two different genders of volunteers are not allowed to stay in same house unless they are a married couple. What happens if I decide to return home before the placement is over? Once the volunteer makes a decision and pays for the program fee, upon receipt of invoice, Future Nepal: Volunteer Program does not refund any program fee under any circumstances. S/he should be for that particular program. But if the volunteer have unavoidable circumstances (such as illness, death of in the family etc) may request to leave the program, Future Nepal: Volunteer Program will consider to return 25% of the host family cost, if volunteer are registered for more than 30 days program. No refund will be made if program is less than 30 days and if volunteer leave program in their own decision. Volunteer position are non transferable. What Vaccinations will I need for Nepal ? This all depends on what vaccinations you already have and what country you are coming from. We suggest that you consult a travel doctor from your country before you arrive. (NOTE: Some vaccinations are needed as much as 2 months before arrival to Nepal ). Please take malaria pill as a precautionary measure. This volunteer program does not cover liability and insurance of volunteers. Therefore, volunteers must have an appropriate insurance before joining the program. Food and accommodation We manage food and accommodation from the first day of the program to the last day in collaboration with local host families. Nepali staple foods include Rice, Dal ( Lentil soup), vegetables, meat (occasionally), and pickle. Visa Any traveler in Nepal can stay on a tourist visa for 5 months each year at $1 per day. You can get the tourist visa at the Nepalese embassy in your country or at the Tribhuvan International Airport up on arrival. A non-tourist visa is difficult to obtain and are twice as expensive as the tourist visa. It is the responsibility of volunteers to manage their own tickets and visa. We suggests volunteers not to stay more than 5 months. Please call the nearest consular or embassy of Nepal to confirm that you can get a visa at the airport. Visa extension
You are allowed to stay up to 150 days on a tourist visa then for any extension up to 150 days total you are required to show an airline ticket with a suitable date on it, with OK status (i.e. not wait-listed). If you overstay your visa the fine is US$1 a day and US$50 (i.e. for a months extension), paid in rupees. For overstay periods of less than a week this can be processed at the airport on departure. Traveling If you are planning to travel in Nepal after or before work camps or volunteer programs, you will need some extra money. Nepal is a cheap place for shopping and traveling. If you want to buy gifts for family and friends, you can buy it in Kathmandu . You can change your major currencies and travelers checks in Kathmandu and at the airport. How can I familiarize myself with the country I will be traveling to? Once you have registered Future Nepal: Volunteer Program, you will receive a Nepal booklet that includes a short-introduction to the country and region you will be traveling to. Other sources of information can be found at your local library, bookstore, or on-line. Please visit our links page for great websites that will help you get ready for your volunteer experience. Where do I fly to and how long will it take to get to my host site? Kathmandu has the only international airport in Nepal , so all international flights arrive and depart from there. Our representative will meet you at the airport. After completion of your orientation phase in Kathmandu you will be escorted to your assigned placement. What is the best time to travel in Nepal ? Any time of year is a great time to be in Nepal . If you wish to trek the best times are from September through November and March through May. The summer is the rainy season and as a result trekking is difficult. The winters are mild in Katmandu with no snow. Even though Nepal is home of the worlds highest mountain range, the country is at warm latitude, the altitude offsets the sub continental heat leaving a very pleasant climate. Clothes and Climate in Placement Areas Nepal is not always as cold as people think. The country is geographically divided into three parts. The Himalayan region of Nepal is very cold in winter while the mid hill region (Kathmandu and Pokhara) and mid-terai region (Chitwan) of Nepal have a different climate in different seasons. The weather is cold from December to March but warm and moderately hot in the summer. The spring and fall are cool and very pleasant. Please bring your winter cloths (think layers!) if you are coming in Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb and summer clothes for the rest of the months. We advise female volunteers not to wear short skirts in villages. Nepalese people dress modestly and girls cover most of their body; it is the Nepalese tradition. General suggestions for clothes Is Nepal safe? Nepal is a economically poor country, however unlike many developing countries Nepal is quite safe. There is some instances of petty crime in Kathmandu , however in the rural areas crime is rare. Do I have to speak a foreign language? Volunteers on our short-term (2-3 week programs) do not need foreign language skills. Those volunteers interested in participating on one of our long-term programs need to have intermediate language abilities in the spoken language of the program country. Orientation will include an intensive introduction to Nepali language and you'll learn Nepali language quickly. Emergency Contact If you failed to meet our representative at airport or if your flight changed suddenly. Please call us 977 9851088020/ 9849056230 How can I pay for the program fees?
How is the program length calculated?
Where will I stay during the training period?
During the second phase of training, you will be moved to the family where you will stay with the children and Future Nepal staff during the remainder of your training. A Future Nepal representative will accompany you to and from the placement locations. How can my family contact me during my placement?
That said, in case of an emergency, your family/friends may contact Future Nepal . We will do our best to get a message to the individual as quickly as possible. You must understand that the infrastructure in Nepal is not as reliable as in more developed countries. In some cases it may be hours or even a day before a message can get through to a volunteer. Does an Future Nepal staff person stay in the village with me during my placement?
During the placement a Future Nepal staff person will provide site visits (the number determined by your length of stay), and/or will contact the volunteer via phone to provide regular 'check-ins'. How can I prepare for teaching English prior to my arrival?
I am from the United States (or country X). Should I be concerned about anti-Americanism (country x-ism) while in Nepal ?
How much money should I bring with me?
That said, living in the village is very cheap as you will not have to pay for your main food or accommodation and there is very little for you to spend your money on! During your training and placement you are responsible for any incidentals (sodas, snacks, etc.) that you may accrue. We recommend purchasing one of the travel guides, such as the Lonely Planet for Nepal to help you estimate how much money you may need. Don't forget that you also need to budget for Future Nepal's program fees, visa fees and your flight and any extra activities, extra transportation and extra food. Is there anything I can bring with me that would be useful to your organization?
What should I bring for my host family?
What vaccinations should I consider having prior to arrival?
What Makes a Good Volunteer?
If you are applying to teach English, a strong command of the English language is a necessity. Similarly, if you are interested in volunteering at a Health Post, some prior medical experience and first aid skills would be useful. If you are applying to teach computers at the Resource Centre, to the environmental awareness program, or income generation program, you should possess the skills and knowledge necessary to work within these programs. The following attributes are vital for survival, regardless of the program! • Independence • Patience • Good problem-solving skills • Sense of humour / ability to laugh at yourself • Tolerance • Willingness to share • Flexibility • Self-motivation • Open-mindedness • Enthusiasm to learn about new cultures | |
