Nepal | Teaching English to Buddhist Monks

Overview

The influence of Buddhism can be found throughout Nepal. From the countless temples located around the country to the thousands of Tibetan Buddhists who have sought refuge, Nepal remains an important place for Buddhists. More than 150,000 Tibetans live in exile in India, Nepal and Bhutan. Of those exiled, nearly 20 percent live in Nepal, where they are now free to practice their religion and rebuild their cultural heritage. As a result, there are several large monasteries in the surrounding mountains of Kathmandu where monks live and devote their lives to Buddhism.

Many young Nepalese men spend a period of their life training as a monk. Training starts from an early age as young monks are taught about Buddhist practices and philosophies as well as receiving general mainstream education – including learning English.

The project aims to be an exchange between devoted practitioners of Buddhism and those from other cultures, who can share language and other skills. You will all have one thing in common; a desire to learn. This project is a great way for international volunteers to learn about Buddhist culture and provides a platform to teach English to Buddhist monks or nuns.

The Project

English is an important part of every young monk’s learning. The ability to speak English allows monks to translate religious text and communicate the teachings of Buddhism to others. It is not totally uncommon for monks to leave the monastery when they get older, therefore it is important for them to learn English in order to boost their career prospects in mainstream society.

As a volunteer you will help provide basic conversational English to monks and nuns, who range from children to adults, in our partner institutions.  You will work up to four hours a day, five days a week, teaching English to Buddhist monks or nuns and arranging creative activities, such as games and painting.  You are welcome to share any other area of expertise you may have with them, including medicine, science, business or similar.

Interns will assist doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff to provide healthcare in one of Kathmandu’s busiest hospitals or clinics. Whilst qualified nurses and doctors can assist in the provision of the day-to-day treatments of illness, medical & nursing students have the opportunity to work in several departments including A&E, pediatrics, maternity, mental health and surgery.

This is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience in selected fields where medical practices can differ considerably to those in Australia. Many Volunteers find this experience very challenging at times, but also hugely rewarding.

Role of the Volunteer

• Spending 2-4 Hours per day teaching English in a Monastery
• Teaching to various levels of English dependent on which class you are assigned.
• Following the national curriculum in Nepal when conducting your lessons, often working independently or alongside a fellow volunteer.
• Assisting other teachers in teaching English classes
• Spending time planning for each lesson.
• Assisting other teachers in their lesson plans

Typical Day

• 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Breakfast & make your way to monastery
• 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – In the classroom teaching English to a group of 10-30 monks
• 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Break for lunch & socialisation with fellow volunteers & monks
• 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Children return from school. Volunteers help with homework and playtime projects
• 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Free time to immerse yourself in monastery life or put your explorers cap on & discover all that Nepal has to offer
• 7:00 PM – Dinner & time to explore the night life

Chitwan Tour (Included)

Explore the stunning flatlands of Nepal’s Terai and Chitwan region on a 3-day package tour that explores the area’s biodiversity, and includes a visit to one of Asia’s first Elephant Breeding Center.

Highlights:

• Explore the waters of the Rapti River by Canoe
• Become entranced in a Traditional Tharu Stick Dance
• Visit Asia’s first Elephant Breeding Center
• Check out a traditional Chitwan Village
• Get your hands dirty helping the Elephants bath
• Spot over 500 species of bird on a Bird Watching Tour

Need to Know

Age & Required Experience

• At least 20 years of age
• A keen interest in teaching & a desire to learn
• A yearning to discover new culture & embrace a different way of life
• No formal qualifications or previous teaching experience needed. All we require from our Adventurers is some enthusiasm, a big heart and a dash of patience in order to make this Adventure truly worthwhile

Minimum Length

Due to the nature of this project a minimum commitment of 4 weeks is required. However, we can tailor all our programs to suit your ideal adventure. If you wish to volunteer for longer than 4 weeks please contact us & we will put together a package to suit your desired length of stay.

Accommodation & Meals

All accommodation is included. For the complete traditional Nepalese experience your accommodation will be a homestay with a local Nepalese family. You will have your own basic room with all essential amenities.

All your meals at the home stay are included (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).

Daal Bhat is the national dish and is usually served for breakfast and evening meal every day. It is a dish comprised of rice, lentils and seasoned vegetables.

If you wish to have a western meal every now and again then there are western restaurants you can go to for some home comforts at your own expense.

Orientation & Support

MyGapYear offers unlimited support prior to departure. Upon receipt of your deposit you will receive your MGY Handbook, which includes comprehensive information on Nepalese customs, culture, what to wear, traditional Nepalese meals and important words in the Nepali language.

There is an English-speaking staff member at the monastery to offer support and guidance if needed. They assist with day-to-day operation of the project and are available to answer questions and ensure that you settle into the monastery and way of life.

Child Protection

MyGapYear follows the principles and guidelines of ‘ChildSafe International’ in protecting children from all forms of abuse and preventing child exploitation and trafficking.  As part of our mission to empower and protect youth; we require all volunteers who are 18 years of age or over and who plan to work with children; provide a Criminal History printout.  This printout is available from your local Police Station and may take up to 4 weeks.

MyGapYear has partnerships with other like-minded organisations across the globe. This particular Adventure is operated in partnership with GapNepal. We guarantee that all of our partners offer the best value, exciting & safe Adventures you have come to expect from MyGapYear. For more information on who our partners are and how we handle your trip please contact us at info@mygapyear.com.au.

About Kathmandu

For many, stepping off a plane into Kathmandu is an eye-opening experience that defies belief. Whether you’re barrelling through traffic-jammed alleyways in a rickshaw, marvelling at the medieval temples or dodging trekking touts in the backpacker district, Kathmandu can be an intoxicating, amazing and exhausting place.

The Kathmandu most travellers experience is Thamel, a melting pot of hotels, restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, bookshops, imitation trekking gear, pirated DVDs, and touts flogging tiger balm and hashish. But there’s more to this secretive city than meets the eye. The old city is studded with temples and splendid architecture. Sacred cows, holy men, beggars and street urchins roam the streets; and its narrow lanes are bursting with life, echoing sounds of bicycle bells, motorbike engines, religious music, construction and car horns. All the while the streets reek with the smells of incense, spices, sewage and exhaust fumes.

With a fast-growing population of around 1.7m, Kathmandu is Nepal’s biggest and most cosmopolitan city and although the 2015 earthquake brought devastation to parts of the city, many areas emerged unscathed, and the spirit of the city remains.