Language and Cultural Immersion Program

In Nepal, Global Crossroad offers one week Language and Cultural orientation in Kathmandu. The capital of Nepal, Kathmandu, where are language program takes place, has two phases. One is a fabled capital populated by hospitable pilgrims and meticulously carved rose-brick temples. The second is a frenetic sprawl of modern towers, which is mobbed by beggars and monkeys and smothered in diesel fumes. These two phases simultaneously demonstrate the country’s history and the invading, inevitable wear and tear of the uncompromising modern world.

 

Our weeklong intensive language and cultural immersion program includes language training, lessons on history, culture, ways of life, visits to local villages/towns/markets, guided Kathmandu exploration and local tourist attractions. This Global Crossroad program aims to submerge you in Nepali culture, history and ways of life to vastly improve your time of volunteering in Nepal. When you understand the life and culture around you, your experience is richer and more rewarding. However, you can choose to take the Language and Cultural immersion program or go directly into a volunteer project. This experience should not be missed! So many international travelers wish they could have an opportunity such as this to receive a briefing on customs, language and history.

Nepal Volunteer Program: Accommodations/Meals/Field Support

Global Crossroad’s weekly fees include management of volunteers’ meal plans and accommodations throughout projects and travel options. Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) will be provided and will consist of local ingredients and feature traditional cuisine choices for Nepal. Our meal program can accommodate vegetarian needs; however, we are not able to provide for other dietary restrictions. Food and drinks outside of mealtimes are the volunteer’s responsibility. In most cases, there are restaurants and markets nearby the homes in which our volunteers stay.

 

In Nepal, Depending upon the particular location and situation, volunteers will stay in our Homebase, either with a host family or in a project hostel. The concept of Homebase is a permanent residence set up especially for international volunteers. There are several bedrooms at our Homebase and volunteers will normally share a room with a same gender volunteer. There are community rooms and a television. The environment is very relaxed and social and a great place to unwind after a busy day. The kitchen and bathrooms are shared, and there is running water and “western-style” toilets. The neighborhood is very safe and clean. There are many amenities nearby like internet cafés, grocery stores, restaurants and mass transit stops. Orphanage volunteers in Nepal might have the opportunity to stay with the children as many orphanages provide private rooms for international volunteers. These volunteer rooms will normally be shared with a volunteer of the same gender.

 

In some project volunteers will also stay with a host family. Volunteers staying with a host family usually have a single bedroom, but may occasionally share a room with another volunteer of the same gender. Our host families are chosen carefully and are esteemed community members, who have experience in the realm of hosting international travelers. Host family residences are in comfortable, clean and safe neighborhoods and rooms are simply furnished and tidy. Staying with a host family can offer the support system a volunteer will crave during their program and it is a great way to learn about a host country’s culture and customs.

 

Some of our projects also have onsite accommodation in a hostel type setting. In some of our orphanage or host family projects, volunteers will stay in the project site with other volunteers. Your 3 local meals will also be served in your accommodation.

 

A unique and important part of Global Crossroad’s successful volunteer abroad programs is our volunteer field support in-country. We put safety and comfort first as we deliver enriching and consistent experiences for our international travelers. Our field support is multi-faceted while volunteers are in Nepal and our staff is in contact with our volunteers on a regular basis either with face-to-face visits or via phone/email. Key field support comes from our country coordinator and in-country staff. These individuals are employed by our company and committed to ensuring your experience the best it can be. Your chosen project staff and host family offers support as well, and they are familiar with working with international volunteers and accustomed to answering questions and providing guidance. Volunteers also have access to our country coordinator’s mobile number for emergencies. With longer assignments, our field staff visits regularly (every 2-4 weeks) to ensure the experience is meeting your expectations. Sometimes an assignment may be too far to visit physically, so staff members will touch-base via phone/email. You are also welcome to stop in the offices at any time. You are never alone.

 

Specific details regarding accommodations, meals, field support and contact details for our local coordinator will be provided in personalized volunteer placement documentation prior to arrival.