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Volunteer in Nepal Monastery!
Are you looking to teach English abroad? Do you dream of a life full of adventure and travel experiences in Nepal while working with Monks and learning more about the religion? Then, this Nepal volunteering in monastery project may be the right fit for you.
Nepal is a stunning country best known for the Himalayas. Many people visit to learn the culture and see the beautiful temples in the city of Kathmandu, while others visit for spiritual awakening. There is also an abundance of exotic wildlife in Chitwan National Park.
Unfortunately, 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 of this, there are several large monasteries in and around the surrounding mountains of Kathmandu where monks live and devote their lives to Buddhism.
With globalization and other developments, there is a great need and desire for young monks to learn English. As there are no English teachers in the monasteries, you will be required to stay with the monks and teach daily classes.
By joining volunteer teaching English to Monks in Nepal project, you will get to learn, participate and practice Buddhism in the monastery. Your support and passion will improve English and allow the Monks to communicate outside the boarders.
You will be happy and fulfilled knowing that you will help positively change lives for monks as they broaden their perspectives outside the monastery. By teaching and showing your love you will cause a ripple effect, for the future generation of monks to be well educated.
Be a volunteer working with monks in Nepal for an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling experience. You can make a big impact in the lives of Monks by participating in this exciting project today.
Volunteer Responsibilities & Impacts
When you join a volunteer teaching English to Monks in Nepal, you will provide basic conversational English instruction to young monks.
As monk teaching English program focuses on the basic conversational English, you are requested to bring some basic conversational books, create a lesson plan, and follow the plan
You will also organize games, painting, drawing, and other creative activities. As a unique facet of this placement, you will witness and participate in traditional Buddhist rituals.
Gaining insight into the Nepalese language and culture is a good idea. You might want to consider enrolling in our one week Nepal Language Studies & Cultural Immersion program.
Teaching English in the Monastery in Nepal is a very meaningful project. Your work will help the monks advancing their English language skills. As a result, the monks can exchange their ideas with foreigners and work with others around the world. Your support will make a significant impact in their future life being able understand another language and not discriminated in the modern society.
Skills and Qualifications
Nepal monastery volunteers must show a high level of respect to the monks, the Sherpa community, and the rules and customs of the monastery. You should behave as a good role model for the young monks, and dress conservatively. Shorts and tanks tops will not be permitted except in the privacy of your own room.
Generally, in Nepal monasteries, the young monks take classes in a certain time of the day. The monks usually carry out their prayers, meditation and worshipping during the morning and evening. You can engage in such prayers as well, although this is mainly dependent on the flexibility granted by monastic officials.
Buddhist monasteries are the religious organizations; thus, it is crucial to be mindful of your behavior, appearance, and conduct when in the monastery surroundings. Alcohol use and smoking are both absolutely forbidden.
While working as a volunteer, your days in Nepal you will have fun filled days. Everyday you will be able to share your love and passion by helping children really make an impact in their lives.
There is no such a fixed daily schedule as tasks vary every day. Be ready to take on many fun and fulfilling tasks everyday.
- First Day: On your first day of volunteering monk teaching in Nepal, you will be accompanied by a local coordinator to the monastery and introduced to the people you will be working with. The rest of the day you will get to familiarize yourself with the duties, facilities and the children.
- Weekdays: A typical day will be something like this
- 5.30 AM – You will wake up early, since the monks wake up early in the morning and start the Puja, prayers, chanting mantras.
- 7.30 AM – After the prayers you will have a delicious Nepalese breakfast ready to start your day.
- 9.00 AM - 11.00 AM – After early morning of puja, prayers, chanting, and other cultural studies, the actual school starts. In the schools, the monks study the regular subjects like math, English, science (in addition to Buddhism) so you will start teaching. Usually monastery hosts 50-150 monks of different ages (6-16 years) so you can teach any grade level of English you want.
- 11.00 AM - 11.30 AM – Lunch will be served around this time. Monks also take this time for praying, chanting, and study of Buddhism. You will have free time to take a rest or you can create lesson plan for the teaching.
- 11.30 AM - 2.00 PM – Around this time you will take a quick tea break and rest.
- 2.00 AM - 4.00 PM – School restarts at 2 PM so you will start teaching conversational English to monks. You can choose to spend 2-4 hours depending up on their interest and availability.
- 4.00 PM– Work usually ends around this time. You are free to travel around the local area or do some shopping and sightseeing.
Volunteer Nepal Monastery: Dates and Fees
Dates: Volunteer in Nepal
All volunteer programs in Nepal start every Monday. Though we allow for flexibility due to travel constraints.
Price: Volunteer in Nepal
Global Crossroad is committed to offering quality volunteering in Nepal programs at the world's most affordable price. We strive to keep our costs low. The humanitarian side of the business is our passion.
Global Crossroad's volunteer program in Nepal application and registration fee cost US$299. In addition to the application fee, you are required to pay a weekly program fee. You will pay your weekly fee directly country coordinator. And he will distribute it room, food, and project. This ensures the transparency of your fee. And This way, the fees that you pay will benefit those who rightfully deserve them, and not for company profit.
| Weeks | Monastery(Kathmandu/Chitwan) |
|---|---|
| 1 Week | - |
| 2 Weeks | $350 |
| 3 Weeks | $500 |
| 4 Weeks | $650 |
| 5 Weeks | $800 |
| 6 Weeks | $950 |
| 7 Weeks | $1,100 |
| 8 Weeks | $1,250 |
| 9 Weeks | $1,400 |
| 10 Weeks | $1,550 |
| 11 Weeks | $1,700 |
| 12 Weeks | $1,850 |
Comprehensive Travel Insurance $3.49/day ( below 28 years) and $4.49/day ( above 28 years)»
Language and Culture Program fee $250
How your fee is allocated?
Program Fees Cover:
- Accommodation (volunteers house or host family)
- Food (local food 3 times a day)
- In-country support
- Program Orientation
- Personalized project
- Pre-departure information
- Certificate of completion
- Fundraising ideas and letters
- Discount for returning volunteers
Program Fees Exclude:
- Visas
- Airfare
- Personal expenses on soft drinks and foods
- Daily transportation
- Airport return transfer
The volunteer trip to Nepal program fees will cover expenses that will begin on the first day of the program (usually the first or third Monday of the month) to the last day of the program. If you arrive before the first day of the program or you decide you stay beyond your programs last day, you will be responsible for the additional expenses.
Accommodation and Meal
While volunteering in monastery teaching project in Nepal, you will be staying in volunteer house or host family or monastery hostel. Girl volunteers are not allowed to stay in monastery hostel. No matter where you stay, GCR will provide you with a comfortable and safe accommodation throughout your stay. In all of our accommodations, you will have comfortable room, electricity, electric fans, running water (no hot water in Nepal), and western-style toilets. In addition, you will also get three delicious local Nepalese meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) a day.
Free Time and Weekend Exploration
You can be assured to spend a considerable amount of time exploring gorgeous Nepal. You will have plenty of free time every day after work since you only work for about 4 to 5 hours per day, from Monday through to Friday. Over the weekend this will be the time to travel to the rest of the country to explore the amazing Nepal and places you can visit while volunteering in Nepal projects.
Learn more about free time and weekend exploration opportunities in Nepal.
Safety and In Country Support
GCR’s top priority is your security. You will be offered support you from the time you arrive in Nepal to when you finish your project. Additionally, you will be assigned to an in-country coordinator who will be available to assist you incase you need anything. GDR also offers Comprehensive Insurance and Evacuation Plan to ensure you are safe at all time while working in our volunteering project in Nepal.
Volunteer Nepal Monastery: FAQs
Arrival and Departure
You need to fly into Tribhuvan International Airport. You are advised to fly into Nepal one day prior to the start date of their volunteer project.
Global Crossroad offers you airport pickup services when you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport. A local representative will be waiting at the arrival terminal. But please be informed that we do not offer any kind of airport drop-off services after the completion of your project
In case of flight delays and cancellation, please do inform us immediately. So, that airport pick up can be arranged in time before the start date of our volunteer programs in Nepal.
Visa
You need to get a tourist visa to work in teaching Buddhist Monks volunteer program. You can obtain a tourist visa from the Embassy of Nepal in your home country. A single entry Nepalese tourist visa is available for 15/30/90 days.
There is on-arrival-visa available at the airport. However, citizens of countries like the UK, USA, Australia and Canada are eligible for on-arrival-visa. You’ll need your original passport and a few recent photos while applying for the on-arrival-visa.
You can always choose to further extend your visa if you wish to continue working in our volunteer work programs by visiting the Immigration Office. Check out this link for more information.
Vaccinations
If you want to work in our teaching Buddhist monks volunteering program in Nepal then it is necessary to get vaccines for Polio, Rabies, MMR, Yellow Fever, chickenpox, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, and Malaria.
You are recommended to consult with your local doctor before taking these vaccinations. Getting vaccinated means you won’t catch deadly diseases and stay healthy during your stay in Nepal.
What Are The Ages Of The Monks That I Will Teaching When Volunteering To Teach English To Monks In Nepal?
The age of the monks depends on the particular monastery in which you are appointed to. Typically, the monks who you will be teaching range in age between 6 and 16 years old.
What Is The Average Number Of Monks In Each Monastery? How Many Monks Are Typically In One Class At A Time?
A monastery usually has between 50 and 150 monks. A normal class size is between 10 and 12 students.
Am I Going To Be Teaching Alone Or Will There Be Others Assisting Me While Volunteering In Monk Project In Nepal? Will I Be Assisting Another Teacher?
When you volunteer abroad teaching English to Monks with this program, you will create your own lesson plan and teach basic conversational English. Many times, 2 volunteers also teach together.
Is There Any Existing Curriculum That I Will Be Following while volunteering in Buddhist monastery in Nepal?
No, there is no set curriculum while volunteering in Nepal monastery. It is up to you to assess your students and determine the individual levels and needs of your students. You will plan and teach according to your specific group of students. Therefore, bringing conversational English book for different grade level will help you
How Many Hours A Day Can I Expect To Be Teaching?
You will typically be working Monday through Friday and teaching 2-4 hour a day. For the rest of your time at the monastery, you are invited to sit in the chanting and prayer sessions.
Are There Any Other Details That Are Necessary To Be Aware Of At This Point?
When teaching English to monks in Nepal you should be aware that life in a monastery requires a lot of discipline. There are a lot of customs and habits that must be observed and respected. For example, monks are not allowed to wonder around the area, outdoor games are prohibited, and alcohol and smoking is strictly banned.
Why Volunteer in Nepal in Monastery?
Find a higher truth while making a real difference in the world! If you have ever dreamed of immersing yourself in the Buddhist culture and seeking the ancient wisdom monks have passed down for millennia in Himalayan monasteries, this is your chance!
You Will Help improve the English Skills of the Monks:
While participating in this project, your skills and experience will make great positive change for people in need. As a monk teacher volunteer worker in Nepal, you can share your knowledge and experience, thus the underprivileged people can feel better and live their lives in peace and harmony.
You will explore the nature splendors of Nepal:
While staying in Nepal Himalaya, you get to experience enthralling mountains and unique Sherpa cultures. It will also be a great chance to have a deep knowledge into the Tibetan and Nepalese Buddhist cultures and traditions.
You will gain sense of achievement:
You will truly be fulfilled and satisfied knowing you are making a significant difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate. Even a few weeks of your time can be exceptionally precious to the community in need. The reward that you will experience is truly heart fulfilling.
You will get chance to learn and immerse yourself in Buddhist culture
When you participate in this project it will be an opportunity to immerse in captivating and informative Buddhist culture, teachings and philosophies. Get enlightened about life and its practices during your volunteer in Nepal in Buddhist monk teaching program.
You will become a real part of everyday life in a monastery
You will have a chance to live in the monastery with the monks. So, this project is a great way for you to have a platform to teach English to Buddhist monks or nuns while being a real part of the close monastic community.
You will get the opportunity to take part in monks' rituals and ceremonies
As a unique facet of this volunteer in monastery Nepal project, you will witness and partake in traditional Buddhist rituals happening in the monastery. This program focuses on the exchange of spiritual and secular knowledge from which both sides will benefit, monks as well as you.
Other Volunteer Opportunities Available In Nepal
No matter your passion or interests, GCR offers a variety of life-changing, volunteer programs in Nepal such as,
Work in an Orphanage,
Teach English,
become a medical volunteer,
Nature Conservation,
Photo Journalist Volunteer Project, and much more.
For more information on our exciting programs in Nepal, contact us today.
Teaching English Opportunities in Other Countries
Other than this teaching English program in Nepal GCR also offer great volunteer opportunities teaching English in many countries cross the world.
Check out some of our most popular English teaching programs below