written by Litzy House
Coming from a small town in Minnesota and arriving in Nepal, I encountered many cultural differences that took me by surprise. The one that really impacted me was the overwhelming number of stray dogs and monkeys freely roaming the streets.
At first, I was very frightened. I had a traumatic experience in Mexico where stray dogs chased and tried to bite me, so naturally, when I arrived in Nepal, that fear resurfaced. I immediately assumed the dogs here would act the same way. And since I already felt uneasy about the dogs, I grouped the monkeys into the same category.
My fear was so intense that when I arrived at my host family’s house the next day I didn’t even want to leave the house. Thankfully, I felt comfortable enough to share my fears with the VIN team, and together we came up with a plan to help me ease into life in Jitpur Phedi, Nepal and face my fears gradually.
The solution was simple but effective: I would walk to WBC (Women’s Business Center) every day with a larger group of people. I realized that when I was alone or with just one other person, I still felt a little uneasy. But in a group, I felt protected, as if the dogs and monkeys would be less likely to approach us.
After a few days of doing this, I began to see the reality. The dogs coexist peacefully with the local people, they’re not harmful or vicious. And the monkeys mostly keep to themselves. I learned to live with my fears and grow from them. That process not only helped me become more resilient in uncomfortable situations but also opened my eyes to the reality of Nepalese life.
Now, I’m happy to say that I genuinely enjoy seeing the dogs, they’re cute and friendly. And the monkeys? They’re fascinating to watch! They just do their own things, climbing trees and foraging for food.
In the end, everyone faces their own fears or challenges when stepping out of their comfort zone. Yours might not be stray animals, but you’ll likely encounter something that pushes you someday! What matters most is how we grow from these experiences and become more grounded, more self-aware, and mentally resilient.
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