On a seemingly random day, during one of our routine calls, Asmod casually but quite firmly proposed the idea of creating an internship program at Reinstalling Hope. This was a concept aimed at undergraduate students who wanted to spend their summer doing meaningful work with nonprofits. Although in the past we have given some thought about it, we never really stepped forward to execute it. However, this time things looked more promising. Given the areas we work in Nepal and Nepal’s rich and diverse cultural and natural landscapes, we envisioned crafting a unique program that would offer an unforgettable experience to interns spending their summer in Nepal.

Neither Asmod nor I had any prior experience in designing such programs, nor did we possess any professional expertise in this area. Nonetheless, we did a ton of homework, trying to gather useful aspects and components from our own internship experiences. This internship was intended for students from outside Nepal, usually studying in the US or Europe. A significant responsibility lay on our shoulders to manage all the legalities and logistical details, ensuring their safety and providing a smooth, joyful experience in Nepal. The challenge was compounded by the fact that both Asmod and I were in the US while the program was to be executed in Nepal.

Building from Scratch

We started everything from scratch, determined to keep every aspect professional, authentic, and enriching. Our reputation as an organization was on the line. With several trials and errors, we crafted the whole outline of the program. We designed forms, crafted questionnaires, and conducted interviews with applicants. To make our program unique, we wanted to customize it for each intern based on their background and interests. Thus, we had multiple calls with the selected interns to craft a unique program outline for each of them.

Almost every two days, Asmod and I would sit on a call to draft our plans, schedules, travel logistics, housing, and food arrangements. We had numerous calls with schools in Nepal to finalize what the interns would be teaching, when they would be teaching, and for how long. It felt as though we were mentally living through each day the interns would experience during their time in Nepal.

Local Fellows to the Rescue

Executing the plan was a monumental challenge since Asmod and I were in the US. We then came up with the idea of Local Fellows. We selected Local Fellows from our close circle of youths, mostly high school graduates. These wonderful individuals, upon hearing our plans and the entire program, became very enthusiastic and willing to help execute it. We assigned two local fellows for every week to assist the interns with transition and any problems they faced during their stay in Nepal. We paid the local fellows a stipend so that they wouldn’t have to spend out of their own pockets while assisting the interns.

Taking the Reigns in Nepal

Around the fifth week, Asmod landed in Nepal and took the reins in his hands, giving the local fellows some relief. We owe a great deal of gratitude to these local fellows who shared our challenges and gave their all to make the program beautiful and enriching.

Special thanks are also due to the Southwestern School. Principal Ramesh Adhikari and the staff were very welcoming to the interns, and the students were engaging and fun as the interns taught them drama and film studies.

Unforgettable Experiences

The interns explored almost all the important sites in and around Kathmandu Valley. From Pashupatinath to Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, from Thamel and Basantapur to Bhaktapur, from Dakshinkali to Kathmandu University and Dhulikhel, from Chandragiri to Budhanilkantha, they experienced every facet of Kathmandu’s rich cultural heritage. They danced with Hare Krishna, enjoyed Newari cuisine, and even did a cooking program together with the local fellows.

We spent a week in Pokhara, exploring the city and trekking to Sikles and Kori. Walking and walking for hours amidst the huge green and misty mountains, interacting with the locals on the way, and bonding with each other, all the participants in the hike had a wonderful time. The hike to Sikles and Kori was a bit challenging due to the monsoon and half of the participants had to return back to Pokhara city while the rest of them made it to Kori.

Towards the end, the interns spent a week in Nuwakot, where Asmod’s house is located. They conducted several sessions on climate change and mathematics at Shree Indrayani Secondary School, visited Nuwakot Durbar, and explored dragon fruit farms and apiculture farms. Moreover, they also had a short and fun engagement with the French volunteering team that was helping to build a school in the same area.

Reflections and Future Vision

Looking back, we can hardly believe we managed to pull off this entire saga in just two and a half months. It feels surreal, yet we are immensely proud of our achievement with this year’s program, the first iteration of our Teach and Travel Internship Program. We learned a lot along the way — many things didn’t go as planned, uncertainties and last-minute changes arose, and we had to work out solutions on the spot. The whole experience was a bit of an adventure. But we can proudly say that all the interns created some of the best memories of their lives.

As we move forward, we are committed to refining and expanding the program, ensuring that each iteration provides an even richer and more fulfilling experience for future interns. The journey has just begun, and we are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.