Everything you need to know about volunteering, teaching, accommodation, visas, and safety in Nepal.
No, previous formal teaching experience is not required for many general teaching volunteer placements. What matters most is patience, enthusiasm, adaptability, strong communication, respect for Nepali culture and children, and a willingness to learn alongside local teachers. For our specialized Teaching Internship program, educational background or career interest in teaching is preferred.
We welcome international volunteers aged 18 and above from all academic and professional backgrounds. No prior teaching certification is required for general volunteering; a genuine interest in cultural exchange and community-led education is what matters most.
Placements typically range from 2 to 12 weeks for general teaching volunteers, and 4 to 16 weeks for the Teaching Internship program. Longer placements can be arranged for volunteers seeking deeper immersion.
TEN currently runs Teaching Volunteer, Teaching Internship, Language & Communication, Creative Arts & Crafts, Sports & Well-being, and Community Development programs, all based in and around Saptari District.
You can teach conversational English, basic mathematics, science, computer literacy, and world languages (French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese), as well as creative subjects such as art, music, drama, sports, yoga, and leadership skills.
You will always co-teach alongside a local Nepali teacher as a supplementary resource person. You will never be left to run a classroom alone or replace local school staff.
A typical school day runs from roughly 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Sunday through Friday, and includes co-teaching lessons, assisting with after-school clubs, and supporting extracurricular activities like sports, arts, and life-skills sessions.
You will live with a carefully vetted local host family in a homestay near your placement school, sharing home-cooked meals and daily life with your host family.
Saptari is a rural farming region, so expect simple, authentic village conditions: shared bathrooms, intermittent electricity, and modest but comfortable rooms. Our coordination team briefs every volunteer on what to expect before arrival.
Yes, three home-cooked meals a day are included and provided by your host family as part of your program fee.
All volunteers undergo an application review, a video interview with our coordination team, and mandatory international background and reference checks before being confirmed for placement.
TEN enforces a zero-tolerance child safeguarding policy, including mandatory background checks, a code of conduct, supervised interactions, and strict photography guidelines to protect every child we work with.
Our local field coordinators and Kathmandu office provide 24/7 on-the-ground support, with clear emergency protocols and direct contact numbers shared with every volunteer before and during their placement.
Most nationalities can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. We provide a pre-departure guide with the latest visa requirements and fees for your placement duration.
Yes, airport pickup in Kathmandu and onward transit to your homestay in Saptari District are included in your program fee.
After landing in Kathmandu, our team arranges ground transport to Saptari District, with a coordinator accompanying you for the journey and initial village orientation.
Your program fee covers homestay accommodation, three daily meals, airport pickup and in-country transit, orientation training, and ongoing field coordinator support throughout your placement.
International flights, visa fees, travel insurance, personal spending money, and optional weekend excursions are not included in the program fee.
Cancellations made more than 60 days before your placement start date receive a partial refund. Refund eligibility decreases closer to the start date; full details are provided in your application agreement.
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Our Kathmandu coordination desk is ready to answer questions regarding visas, school dates, or custom diets.