I was delighted to use IVHQ for my volunteering experience in Nepal. Both them and the local support team did a fantastic job in supporting me. As a 64 year old guy travelling to a country I had not visited before, it is kind of a leap into the dark so having the team support was extremely reassuring.
Teaching English Volunteer Program in Nepal
Purpose
Improve access to quality education
Start dates
Programs start every first and third Monday of the month
Duration
Choose from 1-12 weeks
Volunteer hours
Up to 5 hours a day
Age
Volunteers aged 18+ and families
Accommodation
Homestay
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Volunteers who can speak English fluently and are interested in education and passing their skills on to young people. You’ll be supported by the local team so no experience is required, but relevant training or a TEFL certificate would be helpful.
Project details
Want to Teach English in Nepal? International Volunteer HQ’s Teaching English project enables volunteers to gain teaching experience in public and private schools across Nepal. The country’s lack of financial and physical resources, as well as the mountainous geography, make good quality education difficult to access for many students. Volunteers provide an important opportunity for these students to hone their English skills by practicing with and learning from a fluent speaker. This can help improve their future job prospects and lead to eventual financial security.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
With Nepal’s remote geography and a lack of resources, the majority of Nepali children do not have access to a good standard of education. Volunteers make an important difference to the lives of these students by helping them improve their English - a skill which can serve them well in the course of their futures and open many doors to employment and further education. In addition to teaching English in Nepal, you will also opportunity to teach other subjects, such as Social Studies, Math or Science.
As a volunteer English Teacher in Nepal you will assist local teachers or lead your own classes in public or private schools depending on your program duration and the need for volunteers at the time. Students generally have a good grasp of English already and are eager to learn more to enhance their later job prospects. Your tasks may include:
- Teaching English and other subjects
- Tutoring students
- Lesson planning
- Assist in creating low-cost teaching materials for schools
- Arranging health checkups for students
- Organizing other school activities, such as sports or sanitation programs
Please be aware that on the Teaching English project, volunteers may experience a language barrier; but this will be dependent on the school you are placed in. This has certainly not hindered past volunteers, but should be worth noting for your preparations.
Please keep in mind that there are two major festivals in Nepal and during these times there won’t be volunteer work available; but accommodation and all other services of the program will be available. The dates impacted are:
- 31st of October to 4th of November 2024 (Tihar Festival)
- 29th of September to 4th of October 2025 (Dashain Festival)
- 20th to 24th of October 2025 (Tihar Festival)
To note: if you are looking to join this project for a 1 week duration, it is important to be aware that there is a 2 day orientation and if your placement is based outside of Kathmandu, you will travel to your placement location on Tuesday after the orientation. As such, your volunteer placement would run from Wednesday - Friday.
Why do Teaching English volunteering in Nepal with IVHQ?
When you volunteer in Nepal you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Improving English language education outcomes
- Helping students develop life skills in a safe place
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining teaching experience
- Immersing yourself in Nepali culture
- Exploring the fantastic mountainscapes of Nepal
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
- All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
- All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Nepal photo gallery
IVHQ Elephant Conservation project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Teaching English project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Elephant Conservation project
IVHQ volunteers in Nepal
IVHQ Medical Elective project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Elephant Conservation project
IVHQ volunteers in Nepal
Typical volunteer classroom
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Teaching English project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Elephant Conservation project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Medical Elective project
IVHQ Teaching English project
IVHQ Elephant Conservation project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
Exploring Kathmandu during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Chitwan during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Chitwan during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Chitwan during an IVHQ weekend
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
RW
Russell Warman
02 Oct 2024
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SM
Sian Mattis
24 Jul 2024
IVHQ provided a lot of general information through the website and group video call with the Program Manager. Plus the Program Manager answered any queries I had.
The local team was friendly and available to answer any queries. They seemed really knowledgeable and if one member did not have an answer to a question they were able to communicate with someone who did.
This experience has opened my eyes to a beautiful country with culture different to what I have grown up with. Also making me aware of the everyday and larger struggles faced by Nepali people and children as well as the joy they contain despite that. It has made me feel empowered and confident in the belief that my actions can have a positive effect on others in whatever capacity. Also solidifying my plans in the future to work in the education sector. All while contributing to the building of my resilience in the face of challenges.
For anyone hesitant about joining the program, know you can ask your program manager any questions you have. Also do your own personal research on the placement. This will help you be more aware of what volunteering abroad is like and help to manage your expectations of the experience. Also be open-minded in your approach to becoming closely integrated into a new culture.
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DP
Dale Pinkerton
17 Apr 2024
The local team couldn't have made us feel any safer or at home. They explained everything to us and assisted in anyway they could. Accommodation and host family couldn't have been better. We got lucky with who we had and wouldn't hesitate going back again. I gained a lot more confidence as I was taken out of my comfort zone entirely. It really made me appreciate the life I have back home and sometimes you just need to take the risk, make that jump and see where life leads you. So happy I had this amazing experience.
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MB
Marian Bartlett
17 Apr 2024
I gained great insight into Nepalese culture, beautiful varied natural landscapes, Hindu family life and the education system. I made good friendships with colleagues and was able to share teaching expertise and strategies with leaders. I was able to be involved in additional activities thanks to the host families I was placed with. I took part in health camps for remote areas and schools where people has a lack of funds to pay for medical care- this was an amazing opportunity where I met a range of local people as well as getting the chance to work alongside other volunteers who were nurses, doctors, dentists, etc. With the schools I was able to be part of visits with scout groups, large community cultural events and religious celebrations. All of these additional activities were a positive and a uniquely memorable addition to the whole experience.
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HK
Hennie Ytje Kuipers
06 Dec 2023
Thank you for everything. I had a great time in Nepal!
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AW
Alexander Wells
06 Jul 2023
Very good preparation, as much as could be offered. Brilliant support, Bijen and the local team were so welcoming and I could not have asked for anything better.
This time volunteering, although short, was invaluable for me and my growth as a person in understanding people and the world we live in. Dancing to Nepalese music during a D and D night at the homestay was my favorite moment. The warmth and kindness of the family really sunk in then and I realised just how important they had been for my settling in. It summed up the Nepalese culture and way of life perfectly.
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To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditRecommended online TEFL course
Recommended online TEFL course
We encourage volunteers on IVHQ’s Teaching and Childcare projects to come prepared by completing some relevant training, such as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course. Although formal teaching qualifications are not required on these projects as volunteers are supported by local staff, taking a TEFL course enables you to gain more from the experience. Visit our Online TEFL Course page to learn how to gain an internationally recognized TEFL certification at a discounted rate.
Get TEFL certified onlineLocation
Location
Land-locked in the middle of South Asia, Nepal is known for its astonishing alpine scenery and breathtaking mountainscapes. But this diverse country offers much more than its remarkable natural environment. Among Nepal’s 28 million people, there are more than 100 different ethnic groups speaking as many languages and following a large number of religious and cultural traditions. It also faces the challenges associated with a history of civil war, natural disasters, political corruption and a lack of resources and infrastructure to support its population.
Volunteers can have a meaningful impact on Nepalese communities by providing assistance with a wide range of activities that help make life, and the future, better for local people. IVHQ has a number of volunteer projects in Nepal. Some are located on the outskirts of the capital city of Kathmandu in rural and urban areas, while others are in Chitwan 150 kilometres away, in the middle of Terrai - a flat fertile plain that borders India and stretches right across Southern Nepal. Pokhara is located in mid-western Nepal and is a popular tourist destination, renowned for its amazing mountain views.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of each month, and volunteers need to arrive in Kathmandu on the Sunday before orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Kathmandu. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Nepal prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up at a prearranged destination in Kathmandu on the day before your program orientation.
Orientation is hosted by our Nepal team in Kathmandu and runs over the course of two days. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Nepal – an introduction to Nepal, Nepalese customs, language training details, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Nepal, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to visit local temples, sample authentic Nepali food, meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
If you are placed in Pokhara or Chitwan, you will travel to your placement location on Tuesday afternoon and you will begin work on Wednesday. If you are located in Kathmandu, you will begin work on Wednesday.
Volunteer schedule example
First Day:
On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.
Weekdays:
While a volunteer daily schedule will vary depending on the specific placement, a typical day is as follows:
| 7:30 AM | Breakfast at the homestay. |
| 8:00 AM | Volunteers leave home and travel to their placements. There is usually a tea break and a lunch break. |
| 2:00 - 5:00 PM | Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel back to the volunteer house, go sightseeing, or do some shopping. |
| 7:00 - 9:00 PM | Dinner at the homestay. |
Weekends:
During the weekends, volunteers have spare time and usually relax or take the opportunity to explore other parts of their local town and Nepal. Known for being home to the world’s tallest mountain, Mt Everest, Nepal is an adventurer’s paradise. It has a vast selection of exceptional hikes in the Himalayas with arresting views in every direction, white-water rafting, canyon swings, paragliding and scenic flights. It also has a rich multicultural heritage and a huge collection of temples, pagodas, shrines, carvings and ancient architecture, not to mention an astonishing array of wildlife and an interesting cuisine influenced by its many ethnic groups and cultures.
Accommodation and WiFi
On arrival in Nepal, volunteers stay in a local hotel in Kathmandu for their two-day orientation.
Volunteers are then accommodated together in homestays and hosted by local families who have been approved by our program staff. We give your host family a fee for your support, food and board. It is exciting to stay with a host family, providing you with a unique opportunity to learn about the Nepalese way of life, meet local people, try traditional food and speak the local language - especially when host families in Nepal tend to have limited English.
Living is basic but comfortable and most homestays have electricity and running water, with the exception of some rural homestays which are without these conveniences during the dry season. Western toilets can be found at your home stays but please keep in mind that Squat toilets are still the norm in parts of Nepal; so you might find these at your placement and during activities, treks, etc. Volunteers can also expect low-pressure showers that are generally not heated, however, this is refreshing after a day in the heat.
You can expect to share a room with one to three other volunteers and bedrooms have single beds and bunk beds with bedding provided. It is recommended volunteers bring their own sleeping bag and mosquito nets for any trips away.
WiFi is available in most of the volunteer homestays, however those based in Chitwan should expect to walk to a nearby cafe for internet access. If you would like to keep connected during your stay, we recommend bringing an unlocked mobile phone and purchasing a local SIM card when you arrive in Nepal.
Meals
The staple meal for most Nepali families is dal bhat, which consists of lentil soup (dal), rice (bhat) and vegetables in curry (tarkari) and/or meat (masu) with a side of pickle/sauce (achar).
Food in Nepal is heavily influenced by the country’s Indian and Tibetan neighbours and includes plenty of curries, breads and potato-based dishes. Volunteers are served two meals per day at their homestay and can purchase additional food to supplement this if they wish.
Bottled water is readily available in Nepal and volunteers should budget approximately CA$7 per week for two liters a day. If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply for the program so we can make arrangements for you. However, we need to stress the point that you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of, but there is a need to be flexible.
Typical volunteer bedroom during orientation
Typical volunteer bedroom during orientation
Typical volunteer dining area during orientation
Typical volunteer bathroom during orientation
Typical volunteer bathroom during orientation
Typical homestay in Kathmandu
Typical volunteer kitchen in Kathmandu
Typical volunteer bedroom in Kathmandu
Typical volunteer living room in Kathmandu
Volunteer homestay hosts in Kathmandu
Typical homestay in Chitwan
Typical volunteer dining room in Chitwan
Volunteer homestay host in Chitwan
Typical volunteer bedroom in Chitwan
Volunteer host cooking dinner in Chitwan
Volunteers enjoying dinner in Chitwan
Typical homestay in Pohkara
Typical view from volunteer house in Pohkara
Typical volunteer bedroom in Pohkara
Typical volunteer living room in Pohkara
Volunteer homestay host in Pohkara
Typical volunteer bedroom in Pohkara
Volunteers enjoying dinner in Pohkara
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer Dinner
Typical volunteer Dinner
Pricing
Secure your place for just US$299 (approximately CA$441), pay your Program Fee later.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately CA$441) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $285 Equivalent to $41/day |
| 2 weeks | $415 Equivalent to $30/day |
| 3 weeks | $545 Equivalent to $26/day |
| 4 weeks | $675 Equivalent to $24/day |
| 5 weeks | $805 Equivalent to $23/day |
| 6 weeks | $935 Equivalent to $22/day |
| 8 weeks | $1,175 Equivalent to $21/day |
| 10 weeks | $1,415 Equivalent to $20/day |
| 12 weeks | $1,655 Equivalent to $20/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately CA$441) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Nepal generally find US$45 per week to be sufficient for expenses, such as lunches, transportation and local tours & activities.
- Daily breakfast and dinners
- Airport pick-up
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Daily lunches
- Transport to and from your placement each day
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular add-ons & experiences in Nepal
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Nepal program.
Chitwan Jungle Safari (2 nights/3 days)
Embark on an unforgettable jungle safari to witness Nepal’s captivating wildlife in its natural habitat.
CA$276
Everest Base Camp Trek (14 days)
This iconic expedition is the most popular trekking route in the Himalayas and is unlike any other in the world.
CA$2182
Hatha Yoga and Meditation Retreat (1 week)
Reconnect with tranquility and mindfulness during a rejuvenating one-week yoga and meditation retreat, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the Western world.
CA$778
Check what's required to visit Nepal
Safety and support
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
Essential country information
| Capital | Kathmandu |
| Population | 28 million |
| Languages | Nepali |
| Currency | Rupee (NRs.) |
| Time zone | UTC+05:45 |
Weather and climate: The climate in Nepal varies largely due to the variations in geography across the country. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons with dry weather and moderate temperatures. The Kathmandu Valley and other areas of high altitude experience summer temperatures of up to 28°C (82.4°F) and in winter, temperatures range between 2°C (35.6°F) and 20°C (68°F). The summer temperatures in Chitwan can reach up to 35°C (95°F) and in winter they range between 7°C (44.6°F) and a mild 23°C (73.4°F). The climate in Pokhara is similar to that of the Kathmandu Valley, with slightly warmer temperatures.
Apply to check if you're eligible!
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