Teaching in Monasteries in Pokhara, Nepal

Overall, I am very glad I decided to visit Nepal. Staying at the monastery was such a unique cultural and spiritual experience. Nepal is a very unique and naturally beautiful country. The people are so incredibly friendly and interesting. I think this has to do with how religious the country is :). And the food is amazing. The only thing I wasn't very prepared for was the amount of dust/pollution. TIPS: Research a lot about Nepal and the city you are staying in before you visit so you can be more comfortable and confident during your stay! Make a general list of things you want to do but also be sure to live like a local and go with the flow! That is when the most unexpected and memorable experiences happen. Also, try to travel around Nepal a bit or elsewhere in Asia if you have time.

I had an outstanding experience in Nepal in 2017; teaching English to Buddhist monks in a monastery in Pokhara - it has changed and formed my life in so many ways, and the experience still reflects in my day to day life all these months later and I'm sure it will continue to do so! I cannot thank love volunteers enough for all the help and support prior, during and after my placement and for giving me the opportunity to have one of the most wonderful and unique opportunities. I have gained so many memories and skills explored boundaries I never thought I would and met incredible humans who without this opportunity it wouldn't be possible. The monastery was so beautiful and so peaceful and the boys I was teaching and the rest of the people living at the monastery were so kind and welcoming. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life; the Nepalese people are incredible, so warm and so genuine, and I hope someday I can go back there as they remain forever near and dear to my heart. Now I've returned home it gives me such happiness being able to tell others of all the amazing stories and even the challenges along the way that made it all that more rewarding and again I just cannot thank love volunteers enough for this the first day I got here it was a massive culture shock, Kathmandu airport was absolutely chaotic along with all the streets in Nepal so I was really starting to think 'what have I got myself into'! I was genuinely worried that I wouldn't be able to make it through my placement because of the difficulty I was having settling into the new culture. However, after the first few days, you realise that it really is the charisma of the country and all the little glitches along the way that makes you love the experience even more. The placement is far from easy, but the challenge makes it all the more rewarding. I think anyone that goes into a volunteer placement will have made assumptions before they get there but I think any volunteer can tell you that it'll be nothing like you expect. Everyone who resides at this monastery has been amazing and so kind; the Nepalese people are so unbelievably welcoming and friendly and eating Dal baht every day, having to take cold showers and crossing the crazy roads is all part of the experience!

I had an absolutely wonderful time in Nepal. The people I stayed were the nicest I have ever met, and most endearing. Together, we plowed through one of the toughest language barriers with perseverance, stuttering, and a beautiful friendship. The volunteer coordinators, Kelly (Love Volunteers) and Kershab (on-site) were a joy to work with, Kershab spoke very good English, and knew the area very well. He was frank and gave us warning about staying out late and not being naive. He couldn't personally travel with us on the 8 hour bus ride to our volunteer site, but he sent his friend Manoj, who showed us the ropes of living in Nepal, provided us with food and tea, and made sure we were always taken care of. I have enjoyed sharing my experience with people now that I am home, and can't wait to return to my Nepali family soon.