Internship Nepal
Internship Nepal (IN) is a volunteer and internship program
run by Volunteer Forum Nepal (VFN)-- a non-governmental, non-profit
organization. The IN program is
committed to personal development through excellence in experiential education.
It was conceptualized by a team of professionals, including journalists,
university professors, social workers, ex-volunteers as well as interns.
Internship Nepal believes that internships provide the best
way for people to become aware about their future career. Learning by doing and
being exposed to professionals working in the field provides valuable
experience, a professional reference, which often leads to a position, upon
graduation. The relevance of such a program to students is manifold.
Active learning by participants, inclusion of disciplined
reflection about individual goals, inter-cultural competence, and personal
attention from Internship Nepal's staff are at the heart of IN’s mission. Originally, this program was launched in
November 2005.
IN is also involved in supporting some of the most
underprivileged children of the country, in an effort to improve their
education and development at the grassroots level, by awarding scholarships for
primary and secondary education and strengthening community organizational
capabilities.
Internship Nepal provides a great opportunity to visit
Nepal, help Nepalese communities to support different activities, to gain
cultural experiences, knowledge about Nepalese society, history and much more.
It also provides opportunity to volunteers for conducting research works. IN has many rural locations in Nepal where it
can place volunteers from one month to five months.
Our organization has already provided a quality internship
for over fifty individuals since we were founded three years ago. We offer full
cultural emersion for the curious students interested in enriching their
educational experience through overseas training/exposure. Our students are
given lodging with trusted Nepali families in both urban and rural locations
and are placed in a healthy and professional work environment where they are
trained by qualified experts in their field.I first came to Nepal in February
of 2004. I would only be here for a short time then, I was floating a trial
balloon; but when it was time to go I was filled with both dread, and a
comfort, knowing that my compass had been set and the direction was clear.
Nepal was to be my near and long term future.
Writing now, 15 months later, it feels as if I have always
lived here, and it is hard to imagine a life anywhere else. I actualy suffer
from a mild case of anxiety when a rare trip back to the states comes about,
and my life in Nepal goes with me and monopolizes all of my thoughts while I am
away.
I have never before in my 52 years woken up each morning
with so much enthusiasm and joy for an environment. I rise around 5 am and go
to my back porch and look down upon the early parade of colorful Saris walking
about. My eyes see snow capped peaks in the distance, Buddhist prayer flags,
their colors washed out by the sun,wave gently in the early morning breeze. The
sounds of chanting mix with commerce, and children playing, the air is
energized, and people everywhere greet you like an old friend each time they
pass you during the day.
Nepal welcomes you in a way that you couldn't ever expect.
They embrace whatever reasons you might have in being here and ask for nothing
in return. And when you have made a decision to step into their lives you will
be rewarded a thousand times over each day with the most heartfelt smiles, and
shy hugs.
As I became immersed in this life, and my Volunteernepal,
and Papa’s Home NGO's gained traction, and the students at my school, and the
children at Papa’s Home grew comfortable with the idea that I was not leaving,
they shared an even more intimate closeness with me, born of trust. I have
learned from the hundreds of Nepalese people who have come into my life, what
the real purpose of life is. I go to sleep each night filled with a sense of
joy and awe that this life is mine.
| 
