Give Back To The Nepalese Communities
in Need

Safety and Cultural Shock

When you are traveling in Nepal, or any other place in the world, it is critical that you are safe. It is your volunteer organization and in-country support team’s top priority. However, you must also take full responsibility for yourself and your actions. Common sense, awareness of your surroundings, self, and possessions, and the following recommendations will play a significant role in your safety and overall happiness during your time abroad.

Here are some safety recommendations:

• Always carry around a copy of your passport. You should never have your original document on your body, unless specifically required for a reason at some point.
• Make sure that you have your health insurance information in an easily accessible place. You can make a copy of this and keep it with you, as well. Your travel insurance should have a 24- hour support number. Make sure that you have this number.
• Keep up to date on any safety or travel warning advisories for Nepal.
• Ensure that all of your vaccinations are up to date and you are traveling with any necessary medications.
• Send a copy of all of your important documents (passport, credit/debit card, travel insurance) and travel itinerary details to a family or close friend.
• Let your bank know about your travel and volunteer plans in Nepal. Also, write down or place in your device your bank’s fraud or stolen card department number, just in case.
• Register your Nepal travel details with your home country’s embassy.
• Keep all of the contact information for your volunteer organization, Nepal volunteer project, local support, host family, embassy, and emergency services in Nepal somewhere on you at all times.
• Don’t bring any valuables with you while you are out and about. Pick pocketing and petty theft are a concern in Nepal. Always be aware of your possessions and who is around you.
• If you are going to take a taxi, make sure that it is a registered taxi. Ask your local coordinator for recommendations for taxis, private shuttles, or any other type of personal transportation to ensure that you are traveling with a reputable and safe driver.
• Always try and travel around with at least one other person, especially at night. It is never a good idea to walk around alone at night.
• Always be aware of your surroundings and pay close attention to landmarks or street names, especially until you have a comfortable understanding of where you are and how to get around.
• Keep the address and directions to your accommodations with you.
• Listen and trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right or a person doesn’t seem trustworthy, just believe that to be true and remove yourself from that situation.

The ‘Do’s’ and ‘Don’ts’ of volunteering in Nepal

Dos

• Use both of your hands when receiving something, even if it’s just money. This is a sign of gratitude and respect.
• Remove your shoes before entering a temple, monastery, or home.
• Walk around stupas clockwise so that it is always on your right side. The same goes if you encounter a stone wall covered with Tibetan scripture.
• Get a receipt of authenticity and proof of purchase if you purchase any type of antique relic, otherwise you will not be able to take it out of the country.
• Carry a flashlight or headlamp with you, since power outages sometimes occur.
• Make sure you exchange all of your Nepalese currency before leaving the country. It is illegal to leave Nepal with Nepali currency. Keep all of your receipts from any previously exchanged money during your trip, as you might need these later to exchange your money back.
• Eat everything on your plate. If you are served too much food, ask for some of the food to be taken away prior to eating. It is disrespectful to not finish the food you have been served.
• Ask before taking photographs of a religious ceremony, place, or person.
• Always be friendly and respectful.
• Enjoy every single moment of your volunteering experience in Nepal.

Don’ts

• Don’t touch the women. When greeting or meeting a Nepalese woman, you don’t shake their hands or hug them. Instead you press your palms together in a prayer-like fashion called Namaste. This is the preferred method of greeting and meeting.
• Don’t engage in public displays of affection. Men and women do not hold hands or affectionately engage in public. It is best not to act out of public norm.
• Don’t wear any skimpy clothing. Nepal is religious and conservative. Be respectful and wear clothes that cover your shoulders, chest, and mid-section. Don’t show too much skin.
• Don’t eat with your left hand.
• Don’t eat unpeeled fruit or vegetables unless you are certain they have been properly washed in filtered water.
• Don’t drink unfiltered water.
• Don’t offer food from your plate to someone else.
• Don’t eat beef in front of Hindus or Buddhists. Cows are considered sacred.
• Don’t wear leather.
• Don’t raise your voice or get into a loud verbal confrontation, this is viewed as very bad manners in Nepal.
• Don’t do drugs. Drugs in Nepal are illegal, and it is a serious offense if you get caught.

Be Informed About Culture Shock When Volunteering in Nepal.

Culture shock can occur when you are living, working, visiting, or volunteering in a foreign country, especially a third world country. It is something that can happen to anyone, even the worldliest of travelers. However, it is more likely to strike someone who hasn’t experienced ways of life that are drastically different from their own. Culture shock happens when you are in a place where the culture, customs, beliefs, living situations, and sanitation conditions are extremely different from how they are in your home country.

Don’t be scared of culture shock though. Immersing yourself in a totally new culture and world has far more benefits and rewards than the temporary discomfort of culture shock. The best thing that you can do is to remind yourself that you are in a new place and you will just need some time to adjust. Grant yourself all the time you need to adjust and just be patient with this adjustment period, as it will pass.

It might also be helpful to know and realize that a lot of volunteers who make the selfless and noble decision to venture out on an overseas mission to help others in need will most likely experience some sort of culture shock, especially if it is their first time volunteering abroad in a developing country. You can connect with other likeminded volunteers and learn more about culture shock and how to deal with a new environment by searching online forums and blogs relating to volunteer opportunities in Nepal. You are not alone and realizing that can make a significant difference.

There are also some ways to prevent or at least lessen the severity of your initial shock when volunteering by following these tips:

Learn about the daily customs, living conditions, and hygiene standards of Nepal The more you know about Nepal before you go, the better prepared you will be for the reality of Nepal. Nepal is a beautiful, friendly, and culturally fascinating country, however, there is a lot of poverty and a lot of people who are suffering and in need of your help. Having a general idea of what to expect will help make it less shocking.

Embrace Nepalese culture Between incredible religious and historical landmarks, festivals, ceremonies, natural wonders, and activities to do, it should be relatively easy to have an authentic and rich experience during your Nepal volunteer work. The more you participate in Nepali culture, interact with the local people and communities, experience the temples, monasteries, monuments, and cultural and religious events, the more you will feel like you belong there. You can also seek out other types of cultural learning experiences such as language classes, cooking classes, or guided tours. There is so much to do and see in Nepal . Get out there and do and see as much as you can.

Take your experience moment by moment While it may be a bit challenging at first to adjust, embrace the challenge. The greatest rewards sometimes come out of the biggest challenges. Take every moment for what it is and how you feel in that moment. Be present and positive. Volunteering in Nepal program is an incredible opportunity to do something to significantly improve the lives of others while also having a learning, growing, and wonderfully stimulating experience in a world that is so different from your own. With the right attitude, an open-mind, and a bit of patience, you will definitely find your comfort zone.

Make friends, You are in a unique situation where you have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world who you might have not had the chance to meet outside of this volunteer trip. Spending time with others, especially when you are feeling a bit uneasy, is a great way to overcome culture shock. It is likely that other volunteers in your group are experiencing similar feelings too. You can also connect with your host family and learn to embrace their traditional ways of life. This will help you in your transition period too.