Welcome to your best source of information for Peace Corps Nepal! If you’re considering volunteering in Nepal, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll tell you more about the history of the Peace Corps in Nepal and explore Nepal as a nation. You’ll learn about the languages spoken in the country. And you will hear about other volunteers experiences. You can find more information about safety and health issues here too. And we’ll tell you how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who served in Nepal too. Get ready to find out more about information to help you decide if serving in Nepal is right for you.
Volunteers in Nepal work with their communities on locally prioritized projects in Agriculture Environment, and Education. Cohorts usually leave in January.
What is the History of Peace Corps in Nepal?
Peace Corps began operations in Nepal in 1962. That makes Nepal one of the earliest countries to host Peace Corps volunteers. Since 1962, over 3,200 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Nepal. They have served in education, agriculture, health, environment, and community economic development.
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) volunteers have taught Nepali students and teachers from 1962 to the present day. This has been a core focus. Agriculture, especially food security, has remained a priority sector for Peace Corps Nepal given the importance of farming livelihoods across the country.
What about Nepal as a nation?
Nepal is a landlocked country located in South Asia between India and China. It has a population of approximately 30 million people. Nepal was founded as a kingdom in the 18th century and functioned as a Hindu monarchy for over 240 years. In 2008, the monarchy was abolished. And Nepal transitioned to a federal democratic republic.
Nepal is home to eight of the world’s ten highest mountains including Mount Everest. That gives it the nickname as the “Roof of the World”. But, it is also one of the poorest countries in Asia. Subsistence agriculture remains the main economic activity for much of Nepal’s population. Nepali society is rural though urbanization is increasing. Nepali culture reflects the diverse ethnic groups and castes. Hinduism and Buddhism coexist as the main religions.
Nepal faces a number of challenges including political instability, unemployment, poverty, and susceptibility to natural disasters. Yet, it also has abundant natural beauty and cultural richness that make it a popular tourism destination. Nepal continues to develop both economically and socially since becoming a republic.
What languages do they speak in Nepal?
Nepali is the official language and mother tongue of about half the population. Nepali is written in the Devanagari script. Yet, 129 languages are spoken in Nepal, reflecting its ancient history and rich cultural lineage.
Nepali is the common language used for official, commercial and education purposes across the country. Other languages are mainly spoken in their respective regions by ethnic groups. English is also widely used, especially in urban areas and the tourism industry.
How safe is it serve as a volunteer in Nepal?
In general, 93% of volunteers felt safe or very safe where they lived in Nepal. And 95% felt safe or very safe where they worked. 12% of volunteers early terminated mostly due to resignation or medical. But more detailed information about safety compared to other Peace Corps countries can be found in the Nepal Crime, Harassment, and Early Termination of Service Data.
Most of the medical problems seen in Nepal are also found in the United States, such as colds, diarrhea, skin infections, headaches, minor injuries, sexually transmitted infections, adjustment disorders, and emotional problems. For Volunteers, these problems may be more frequent or compounded by life in Nepal because local factors raise the risk of or exacerbate the severity of certain illnesses.
The medical problems specific to Nepal are dengue fever, dysentery, rabies, meningitis, typhoid fever, colds, flu, diarrhea, skin infections, headaches, minor injuries, dental problems, sexually transmitted infections, and Hepatitis A, B. Health problems also can result from local environmental factors, such as dust, humidity, insects, and disease-producing microorganisms. Because malaria is endemic in Nepal, Volunteers are required to take antimalarial medication. But more detailed information about health related issues at Peace Corps Nepal can be found in the Nepal Health and Medical Care Summary.
What do volunteers think of serving in Nepal?
Since 1975, the Annual Volunteer Survey has been a source of information on the state of the Peace Corps (PC) program for the agency, Congress, researchers, the media, and the general public. In 2019, 88% of volunteers found their overall Peace Corps service rewarding or very rewarding. 84% of volunteers would still make the same decision to serve with the Peace Corps today. 87% of volunteers would recommend Peace Corps service to others. More information can be found in the Nepal Annual Volunteer Survey Satisfaction Results.
Where can I learn more about PC Nepal volunteer experiences?
PCV blogs and YouTube channels offer a unique look into the daily life of volunteers serving in Nepal. These blogs and channels can help you understand the challenges and triumphs that come with being a volunteer. Explore these links for inspiring stories and practical advice from current and past volunteers.
Blog and YouTube Channel Links:
If you’re interested in learning more about serving in Nepal, I’ve got you covered! Click here to see all of my posts about Peace Corps Nepal with details on the experience, culture, food, packing tips, and more.
How can I connect with Returned PCVs who served in Nepal?
And where can I find official information about Peace Corps Nepal?
- PeaceCorps.gov/Nepal
- Projects in Nepal
- Stories from Nepal
- Preparing to Volunteer
- Living Conditions
- Training
- Health
- Safety and Security
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Packing Guidance
This is an old PC publication called “The Peace Corps Welcomes You to Nepal“, published in 2013. In the past, before the internet, this is how volunteers learned more about Nepal. Even though it is many years old, there is still a lot of good information there. You can download it here but remember it is just for informational purposes. For up-to-date information, always check with you Peace Corps contacts and staff.
Conclusion:
This blog post has provided you with information to help you decide if serving in Nepal is right for you. You have gained insights into the cultural, linguistic, and developmental aspects of the country. We have also touched on the safety considerations and health-related information relevant to volunteers. And, you learned how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers. For more information about Peace Corps Nepal, you can visit the Peace Corps website or explore the provided resources. We hope this post has been helpful in your quest for information on Peace Corps Nepal.
