Orientation

Upon their arrival, Volunteers are provided with two days to a week long orientation depending on the length of their program. It is divided into two phases (for long term volunteers, training will be extended to two weeks). The length of the orientation program depends on the duration of the volunteering period. If you are volunteering for less than four weeks, the program may be shortened. This is a rigorous training program to prepare you for the cultural differences, understand enough Nepali language to function in a village where few English speakers live, and in the case of the English Teaching Program, to effectively teach English grammar. Few days will be spent with other volunteers in a hotel in Kathmandu or Bhaktapur areas, followed by a transfer to the IDF-Nepal’s Ideal Home. During this time volunteers will be provided with up to four to five hours of training per day.

The training will include:
• One to two hours basic Nepali language per day
• Environmental/social issues
• Cultural information/gender issue
• Sightseeing in Kathmandu
• Security-environment tips

The class size ranges from one to five participants, so you can be provided a lot of personal attention for yourself. You will have approximately three hours of free time. Nepali style lunch and dinner will be organized for you by IDF-Nepal. IDF-Nepal will also coordinate a few sightseeing and shopping opportunities. Please note, your day will be full. If you want to do extensive sightseeing in Kathmandu, we recommend that you arrive in Nepal a few days earlier to have enough time to visit the area before training begins.