Teaching Fellowships in Nepal 

Programme Date: 29th July to 23rd August 2024

Are you looking for an impactful summer Vacation?

Introduction:

Join ViN’s Teaching Fellowships in Nepal and help improve Nepal’s education quality. You train hundreds of teachers and develop your network while exploring Nepal through a Chitwan Jungle Safari, White Water Rafting, Pokhara, and Kathmandu Tour.

Welcome to Volunteers Initiative Nepal, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving education in Nepal. Our teaching fellowship program offers opportunities for developing teachers to enhance their skills while positively impacting thousands of children’s lives. Through this fellowship, we connect teachers from abroad to our teachers in Nepal. This fellowship program allows teachers worldwide to use their summer vacation as an impactful life-changing opportunity. Our structured programme will enable fellows to conduct conferences, observe real Nepalese classrooms, mentor teachers, immerse local culture, and explore majestic Nepal.

Why choose a teaching fellowship in Nepal with ViN?

Our teaching fellowship program offers a unique opportunity to work with rural and urban communities in Nepal while gaining valuable teaching and training experience. As a teaching fellow, you will receive training and support from our experienced educators and work alongside local teachers to implement creative and child-friendly teaching methods. Our program is designed to help you develop your teaching and training skills while making a difference in the lives of Nepalese students.

The goal of the Teaching Fellowship in Nepal:

Our Teaching Fellowships in Nepal program aims to improve the quality of education in Nepal’s rural and urban communities. We believe every child deserves access to quality education, and we work towards this by providing training and support to local teachers and promoting innovative teaching methods.

What do you do as a teaching fellow in Nepal?

As a teaching fellow with ViN, you will work in rural or urban community schools in Nepal to support local teachers and students. Your responsibilities will include lesson planning, classroom management, coaching, mentoring, and teacher training. You may also be able to participate in community events, festivals, and cultural activities.

Relevant skills, education, and requirements:

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, but we require a Bachelor’s degree and relevant teaching experience. You should have strong communication skills and be comfortable working in a cross-cultural environment. We also need a commitment to our program’s goals and values.

Your experience and setting:

As a teaching fellow with ViN, you work in rural or urban communities in Nepal. You will live with a host family or ViN’s hostel and participate in a fellowship program. This immersive experience will allow you to learn about Nepalese culture and language while contributing to the local community. We expect 20 to 30 fellows at a time. You will train 70 to 100 teachers in a team, plan, observe their classes, co-teach, mentor, and provide feedback.

Food and accommodation:

ViN organises food and lodging with host families or in hostels. We provide three meals in Nepali standard. For Summer 2023, we will be based at VIN house in Naya Bazaar, within easy walking distance of Thamel, Kathmandu. At VIN house, the team stays in bunk rooms with shared facilities.

Schedule and commitments:

Our Teaching Fellowships in Nepal program usually runs for three to four weeks and requires a commitment of at least 40 hours per week. You will receive on-arrival orientation about ViN, programmes, health and safety, language and culture, support from our experienced staff, and opportunities for professional development.

  • First day: Welcome and receive from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu;
  • Two days of on-arrival orientation and planning;
  • Three days of classroom observation and baseline planning;
  • Three to four days of conference/training (Usually Saturdays);
  • Nine days of coaching, co-teaching, mentoring, and feedback for local teachers;
  • Three days of Chitwan Jungle Safari and White Water Rafting;
  • Four days Pokhara Tour (hiking, mountain views, boating, city tour);
  • One-day Kathmandu tour
  • One free day for your preferred activities
  • Departure from TIA

Typical day:

A typical day as a teaching fellow with ViN will depend on the above-mentioned schedule – and could typically involve lesson planning, delivery of techniques in classroom management, and teacher training. You will also have opportunities to participate in cultural activities and community events.

Monitoring and support system:

We provide ongoing support and monitoring to ensure our teaching fellows’ success. You will receive regular feedback and guidance from our experienced staff, and team leader and have access to resources and training materials.

Time and fees:

Our teaching fellowship program fees vary depending on the length of the program. Please feel free to get in touch with us for more information.
For Summer, from 29th July to 23rd August 2024, the fees will be 1500 GBP.

The cost includes:

  • A month of the fellowship programme
  • All meals
  • Shared bunk accommodation at VIN house
  • Hotel accommodation in Pokhara and Chitwan (5 nights total)
  • Three nights, four days of Pokhara tour
  • Two nights and three days of Chitwan Jungle safari and White Water Rafting
  • One-day guided Kathmandu Tour
  • Resources during fellowship and teachers’ handbook
  • CPD certificate
  • Reference
  • ViN’s admin cost
  • Local volunteers’ support
  • Team leaders’ expenses.

Cost Excludes:

  • Airfare
  • VISA
  • Vaccination
  • Drinks
  • Tips and other personal expenses

Recruitment process:

  1. To apply for our teaching fellowship program, please submit the following form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1b7241BUJCsXNqpSIqXFnDYouxZWhCfg5MbBaiau79Pc/edit?ts=643bd7b1
  2. Following the submission of this form, you will be contacted to arrange a brief chat (via Zoom or telephone) to answer a few questions you may have and for us to get to know you.
  3. If this is successful, you will be accepted onto the team and payment details will be sent to you (see the end of the form for payment plan).
  4. Please get in touch with us for more information on our teaching fellowship. Email liz@vin.org.np (team leader) or fill in the form below if you have any questions.

Fellowship Itinerary Nepal: Fellowship Itinerary Nepal – Teaching Fellowships in Nepal

Project locations:

Our teaching fellowship program is currently offered in several rural communities in Nepal. Please get in touch with us for more information on project locations.

We can also provide fundraising ideas upon request for the community.

Conclusion:

Thank you for considering our teaching fellowship program with ViN. We are committed to providing a supportive and immersive experience for developing teachers in Nepal and abroad. Apply today and make a positive impact in the lives of Nepalese teachers and students!

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Your Experience/Setting

On arrival you will be greeted at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and transported to your hotel / hostel (alternative arrangements can be made for those already in Nepal prior to the start of their placement). You will then receive a comprehensive a two to three-day induction, during that time you will be provided with information about your particular project as well as general information, including basic Nepalese language and culture, health and safety. This is also a good time to mix with other volunteers or interns who may be great sight-seeing companions and a source of support during your volunteer placement.

During the induction you will be accommodated in a budget hotel or hostel at VIN. However, a large part of the VIN experience comes from the immersion of a

home stay with a Nepalese host family. While this is an essential part of the experience we also recognize that it can be a challenging one, becoming part of a new culture and becoming accustomed to facilities that will be more basic than those you are used to. However, all our host families are experienced in accommodating volunteers – although their ability to speak English will vary – and you will have 24 hours’ access to contact and support from our staff members during your placement.

Volunteers will be placed in one of VIN’s working areas namely Tarakeshor Municipality of Kathmandu, Taluwa, Thulachhap and Bhadaure of Okhaldhunga, and Okharpouwa, Kaule of Nuwakot district. While at the working site the volunteers are requested to bring their own lunch, water bottle, safety gears, face mask and other essential belongings. As a volunteer you are advised to be in a comfortable and modest attire with preferably long sleeves. If you wish to raise project funds or collect project specific resources, you may contact us.

Requirements

  • Gender: Female / Male
  • Minimum Age: 18+ years (16-17 years old person can volunteer but need to present parents’ consent letter)
  • Language: English (Intermediate)
  • Educational: High School Graduate

Schedule and Commitment

You will work five to six days a week, up to six hours per day. You may propose your preferred time and hours; however, the working time period will be dependent on the institution you have been placed. A minimum of 2 weeks’ time commitment is expected of a volunteer. The longer you commit, the better impact you can make. You should be willing to commit a certain amount of your free time and energy, show a lot of commitment and be a good listener. You are expected to work constructively and co-operatively maintaining good reputation and standards at all times. Volunteer should abide by relevant security concerns and access procedures. Moreover, you should be receptive and positive to performance appraisal, advice and feedback. Throughout your placement you will have the full support of VIN. Your safety is our highest priority.

Mentoring and Support System

You will receive a clear and concise on-the-job instructions, course of action, context of work and policies/strategies before your placement begins. You will be

provided with ample of guidance and support throughout the placement with trainings / onboarding sessions incase necessary. You will be in a constant communication and regular check-in with the VIN volunteer coordinator. VIN aims to maintain a culture of continuous feedback between the volunteer supervisor at the placement to monitor the performance of the volunteer and ensure the project delivers desired outcomes.

In case of an emergency, you may contact one of our Volunteer Coordinators who will be available anytime for your assistance and support.

Time and Fees

Mid and Long Term Volunteers:
  • 2 weeks minimum stay- € 385
  • 3 weeks – 470€
  • 4 weeks – 555€ (after 4 weeks for each additional week we charge €75)
University Internships:
  • 4 weeks minimum stay- € 615 (for each additional week we charge €85)

What VIN offers you in return?

  • On Arrival orientation (two to three days)
  • Food and Accommodation during on arrival orientation at VIN’s hostel / budget hotel on sharing basis
  • Food and Accommodation during Placement: Nepali Standard local host family – 3 meals a day
  • Transportation: Airport pick up; one time transport to and from the project site
  • Local volunteers’ support cost (optional)
  • VIN T-shirt
  • Certificate of participation
  • 24 hours emergency support
  • VIN admin cost.

What is excluded? Airfare, VISA (http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/page/tourist-visa), vaccinations, travel & medical insurance, return airport transfer, personal travel and weekend activities expenses etc.

Desirable/ Common Skills 

  • Excellent communicator with good interpersonal skills
  • A team player with good work ethics
  • Time management and leadership qualities
  • Adaptable, flexible and able to work under pressure
  • Accepting of different ideas and culture
  • Problem solving: always be part of solutions than part of a problem
  • Creative