Q. Where will I stay?
A. Depending on personal preference, you have the choice of a home-stay with a local Nepali family, a shared volunteer flat, a hotel or, if available, an apartment.

Q. Will my meals be provided for me?
A. Yes. The room and board fee includes most meals. Breakfast and dinner are prepared at the shared volunteer flat or home stay. Lunch and tea will be served at the school.

Q. What are common foods in Nepal?
A. The national food in Nepal is daal bhaat. This is rice with lentil soup. Curried vegetables are also served in a typical meal. There are also many restaurants in Kathmandu that offer a wide range of foreign fare, anything from Italian to Thai.

Q. What should I be careful of regarding food and water?
A. Bottled or boiled water is recommended for foreigners who are not accustomed to the local water. Tap water in Kathmandu is usually unsafe to consume. Cooked food is normally safe, however, be wary of street vendors and fresh vegetables or fruit that has been cut or washed with water.

Q. How many hours a week am I expected to work?
A. Your volunteer schedule will be adjusted to your plans while staying in Nepal and based on your personal preference. Normal school hours are 9:30am to 4pm everyday except Saturday, so if teaching, working some hours within this time would be required.

Q. How large are the classes?
A. Class sizes range from about 10 to 25 students.

Q. How long is each class?
A. Each class is 35 or 45 minutes long, depending on the time of day.

Q. Will I be trained and prepared for my position?
A. Each volunteer will be provided with orientation and training as needed for your position and/or project.

Q. Do I need a teaching certificate such as TOEFL or TESOL?
A. A teaching certificate is not required to teach at Pragya English School. An interest and passion for children along with any expertise in a particular subject will be useful. In our ongoing pursuit of minds of goodwill, any subjects that our volunteers can offer are rewarding to the students.

Q. How will I get from place to place?
A. Public transportation is cheap and widely available in Kathmandu. After the first couple of times, the routes are easy to follow. Taxis are also available and fairly inexpensive. The average ride on public transportation is 7 to 13 Rupees, or about 0.20 USD. Taxis are about 100 to 200 Rupees.

Q. Are there options for me to trek and travel within Nepal during my stay?
A. We highly recommend that during your stay in Nepal you take advantage of the abundance of historical sites and outdoor activities. Certain times of year are better than others for trekking. However, day trips to many places are possible all year round.

Q. Can I get what I will need in Nepal such as toiletries, books, clothes and electronics?
A. There are many shops that cater to Western needs and expats in Kathmandu. Most necessities are available, however, brand names will vary. There are several bookstores in this area that have books in multiple languages.

Q. How long is the program?
A. Volunteering at Pragya English School can be for as long as you are available. The recommended minimum stay is 2 weeks and a tourist visa in Nepal can be extended to a maximum of 150 days in one calendar year.

Q. Does the school provide airfare to Nepal?
A. No, airfare is the responsibility of the volunteer. Visas and travel insurance are also at the volunteer’s expense.

Q. Is there anything I can bring with me that would be useful for the school?
A. Basic school supplies are always in need. Please see the Wish List or inquire further if you have something particular in mind that you are able to bring.

If you are interested in volunteering, please
e-mail the Volunteer Recruitment Manager at: volunteer@pragyafoundation.org.np. You will be asked to complete the application form, send your resume/CV, and provide two references. You may also e-mail with your questions about the program.