Location
  • Nepal
    • Kathmandu
Length
1 - 4 weeks

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Timeframe
Summer Winter
Housing
Hotel
Language
English
Age Min.
15
Age Max
18

Pricing

Starting Price
2205
Price Details
Prices vary depending on project and number of weeks
Visit website for more details on costs
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Meals
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
Feb 14, 2022
Feb 26, 2023
37 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Travel to Nepal during your High School summer with Projects Abroad! You can have the opportunity to volunteer at a local school, or hospital and immerse yourself in Nepali culture as you live with a local host family or international hostel.

Our programme will make you step out of your comfort zone and engage with your new friends from around the world. You will develop a better understanding of global issues while making a meaningful contribution to the community that hosts you. Our friendly, dedicated staff will be there for you 24/7 making sure you’re immersing yourself in the new culture in a safe and supported environment.

Volunteer opportunities include Childcare, Building, Medicine, and Physical Therapy.

For more details, visit Projects Abroad's site for high school programs!

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Participate in a well-organized high school international summer program that makes a real impact on communities
  • Take part in socials that spark new friendships and ensure you have fun
  • Receive 24/7 support from our trained supervisors
  • Make a difference where it is needed most
  • Explore a new country and culture through organized activities and a weekend trip

Program Reviews

4.93 Rating
based on 14 reviews
  • 5 rating 92.86%
  • 4 rating 7.14%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Growth 4.75
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 4.85
  • Housing 4.8
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 1 - 8 of 14 reviews
Default avatar
Laura
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Once in a lifetime experience!

From the moment that I was picked up from the airport by the Projects Abroad staff I always felt safe and welcomed throughout the whole program. After a few days doing the care project I took up the offer to change projects as the girl I was doing the care one had fallen sick. The staff did anything that they could to make sure I was comfortable and having fun so they offered for me to switch to the medical program with people my own age. They organised all the transport and accommodation for me to move to the other group. From there on I had the best week and a half of my life getting to experience things that I would never have seen at home alongside some amazing people who I have built long- term friendships with. We got assess to hospitals to observe doctors and procedures, lectures by medical professionals and opportunity to go to the medical college. We got to go on a weekend trip to the local national park where we went on a safari and went to museums and watch cultural dancing. We were always able to go shopping and the staff were always happy to take us. All our meals were provided and there was always a wide range of options. I came away from this experience with memories and friends that will last a lifetime and a longing to do it all again.

Pros
  • Support from the staff
  • Cultural experience
  • Building friendships with people of the same interests
Cons
  • Having to change programs (but still loved the medical one)
Default avatar
Raman
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Building project

My trip to Nepal was amazing. This was my first time overseas where I didn't know anyone prior to departure. I had great assistance from before the trip, so I knew what to expect. However, even though I had been well informed about Nepal and what I would be doing on the trip, nothing could prepare me for how amazing Nepal would be. My local guides made me feel at home as they would always be there to help me when I needed them. They were always very approachable. While in Nepal I was also kept very well informed by my supervisors. I also met some amazing friends who I have caught up with and am I still talking to them a month after my trip finished. Staying with people for two weeks that are not members of my family is something I have never done before. This allowed us to get to know each other very well.

My project that I participated in was the building of new classrooms for a school. The building project was an amazing experience. We were welcomed into the school right from the beginning. We mostly laid bricks and made/mixed concrete by hand. Although we had to do physical work, our engineers and supervisors always made sure the job was suitable for our age and skill level. Our supervisors always made sure we were hydrated and not too tired. As a group, we always tried to do as much as possible each day. We arrived towards the end of the construction of the school so we were able to see the fully constructed rooms. We also got to understand how much work went into the project before we arrived.

Other than working on the building site, we were able to experience Nepal. We got to eat traditional food at restaurants, visit temples and walk around the streets. Over the weekend, we were able to visit Pokhara. The 7 hours to Pokhara was definitely worth it. In Pokhara, we had amazing views of mountains. We even got to wake up early to experience the sunrise where the sun appeared from a sea of clouds. The sun managed to light up the mountains.
Overall, I really enjoyed this trip and would recommend it to any student my age!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Make sure you embrace the experience with open arms. Come in with a positive attitude and make use of the two weeks, because, as many of us found, two weeks goes very fast. We were all having such a good time that we didn't want it to end.
55 people found this review helpful.
Response from Projects Abroad

Hello Raman,

I am happy to hear that you had a great experience with the Projects Abroad team. Your amazing effort into the High School specials Building project is hugely appreciated. Let’s start planning your next Projects Abroad adventure!

Sajani Amatya, Country Director for Nepal

Default avatar
Freya
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

High School Special Medicine Project

My trip to Nepal was fantastic. It gave me the opportunity to fly alone (well with my now amazing friend Marnie), meet friends from all over the world (Hong Kong, California and Leeds to name a few!) and provide the privilege of being able to feel you made a small difference to a country. There were many highlights of my trip including seeing the birth of a beautiful baby boy, teaching school children how to brush their teeth and visiting a care home for children with a range of disabilities and learning needs. On top of this placements within hospitals provided an incredible insight into what it was like to work in a hospital in a developing country (and as a long term goal of mine was extremely useful). Like most trips however, what made it was the wonderful people I met who 6 months on I am still in touch with and we talk regularly on video calls. Chris our group leader was amazing taking us to the bakery across from our hotel almost every night. All the projects abroad staff were lovely and we even managed to have a favourite Nepalese song by the end of the trip courtesy to our drivers! Trips like these are ones that change you as a person and change your view of the world, I would thoroughly recommend undertaking a trip the projects abroad.

What was your funniest moment?
There were many funny moments along this trip but one that particularly stands out is when my very lovely friend Angela from California decided to make a pot noodle. She plugged in her kettle which her mum had packed from home causing a power cut across the whole hotel (and the rest of Bharatpur I’d like to imagine!) for around 5 hours. No air con, no fans and no lights!
48 people found this review helpful.
Response from Projects Abroad

Hey Freya,
Your positive review is truly appreciated. Thank you for your commitment towards our High School Specials Medicine project in Nepal. Great things are achieved when our global network of volunteers come together. We hope to see you volunteering again with us soon.

Sajani Amatya, Country Director for Nepal

Default avatar
Ophelia
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

2 weeks Summer Program in Nepal

It was my first volunteering experience abroad and it's definitely not going to be the last one! Going there and actually participating in a life changing made me realise how easy it is to make a difference and improve peoples lives with the smallest contribution.
The program is a very good introduction to the volunteering world at such a young age.

I feel that I made a difference and that what I did was really valued by the local people. I do feel that we made a better place for the kids and that it will improve their lives in a small way.
Although this was a very good experience and I made very good friends from all over the world (I'm still in contact with some of them), I wanted more. At some points I felt more of a tourist than an actual volunteer which is why next time I take part in a volunteering project I want to live with a family to fully understand and have a sense of what their day to day life is like.

What would you improve about this program?
I would improve the time spent with the children. I didn't have the feeling that we were being effective. The fact that the kids didn't understand English made it very hard to communicate with them and be useful.
53 people found this review helpful.
Response from Projects Abroad

Hi Ophelia,

I'm glad to hear you had an amazing time on High School Specials Care and Community placement in Nepal. Thank you for the effort you put into the project. It is greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to leave us a positive review. It really does help build the Projects Abroad Global Family. We hope to see you on one of our projects again!

Sajani Amatya, Country Director for Nepal

Default avatar
Katarzyna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

(Medical Program) Been there, done that … now I'm in med school

Half a year ago I stepped onto a plane (alone for the first time) going to Kathmandu. I knew the journey I was embarking on would be one that would in part define my life. A friend who had done the Medical Programme for High School Students said that if I was undecided about going to Med school, then I should take part in the programme. Now, as a medical student (awaiting my 1st anatomy exam) I can say that my journey in Nepal with Projects Abroad has been the crucial step towards my medical career.
All the things that I have seen and done while in Nepal, both in the medical aspect (ie. clinical rotations in numerous hospital wards, as well as seeing a dissection and surgery) and the socio-cultural aspect (eg. learning Nepali dances, trying the cuisine) will stay in my memory forever.
The only thing that I can do now is to thank the entire Projects Abroad team (especially Acquilles) from the bottom of my heart and recommend the trip to anyone who might be interested!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Make sure to check the weather before packing, I wish I brought some more long-sleeved clothes.
If you are worried about anything before your stay or during your time in Nepal, don't be afraid to reach out to the Projects Abroad staff. They're friendly, helpful and will try to aid you in any way.
53 people found this review helpful.
Response from Projects Abroad

Hello Katarzyna,
I am happy to hear that you had a great experience with the Project Abroad team. Your amazing effort into the High School Specials Medicine project in Nepal is hugely appreciated. Let’s start planning your next Projects Abroad adventure!

Sajani Amatya, Country Director for Nepal

Default avatar
Christina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Nepal Medical Internship - under 18

I went with Projects Abroad the summer of 2018 to Nepal for their medical internship program for teens. It was my first time out of country alone, and as a 15 year old, I felt completely safe! Everyone on the staff and especially the coordinators were so helpful and always ensured I was safe, healthy, and having fun.

The program is structured on a rotational basis. You’re split into groups and you’ll spend everyday at a different hospital or clinic. There are also labs, lectures, and outreaches, and sightseeing tours set up for you. For the program itself, the most important thing is to be proactive. The doctors at all the hospitals you go to speak English, but they won’t take time out of their overcrowded schedules to interact with you! However, if you show your interest and make an active effort to be k clover, they’ll be more than happy to accommodate you! I still remember some of the beautiful conversations I had. I got to help perform biopsies at the cancer hospital because I asked, and the surgeon said sure! I also do a delivery, an abortion, and many, many eye exams.

Nepal is a beautiful country with a very diverse culture! The program was based in Chitwan, near the Indian border, and it was very, very humid. The hotel you stay at all have AC though, and I honestly looked forward to returning to a blast of freezing air from my hotel room. The locals are so friendly, and the food is delicious. Gosh I still miss the momos. It’s important to keep and open mind when you go, because Nepal is still a developing country and it is to be expected that things are not the standard they are at back home. That being said, it was a very enriching experience, both in terms of the medical procedures I learned and from the diverse cast that made up my group! I never thought I would have a conversation about the Italian school system or Poland’s geographical features, but I did, and more!

50 people found this review helpful.
Response from Projects Abroad

Hi Christina,
Thank you for leaving such a nice review. We’re delighted that you had a great time while having a profound impact on the local community. We hope that you can join us again in the future on our High School Specials, Medicine project in Nepal or perhaps a totally different project and destination – there are loads to choose from! See you soon,

Sajani Amatya, Country Director for Nepal

Default avatar
Lucy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Care and Community High School Special

I spent 2 weeks in Nepal volunteering in a school. My volunteer programme was part of the high school specials. I would recommend this for anyone who is interested in taking part in a volunteering programme but is nervous about it. The staff were amazing and made sure you were never put into situations you were uncomfortable with. This trip was my first time in Asia, so the culture shock was a bit scary, but thanks to the staff I felt as if I settled in nicely and by the end of the trip I didn't want to leave! Once you get to understand the culture, you'll love it.
The first week in the school we helped to rejuvenate some of the rooms to make it a nicer working environment from the children. This was so much fun as we got to make our own designs for the classrooms. In the second week we ran some classes for the children. All of the kids were so enthusiastic and their mentality towards education was inspiring.
The weekend in between we went to Pokhara which was beautiful. It was a long drive but definitely worth it. As soon as you get there you can tell the air is so much cleaner than in Kathmandu. They took us to temples and to waterfalls, it was stunning.
Overall, I absolutely loved my experience with ProjectsAbroad in Nepal, the only downside to it was that I only had two weeks there!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Stay for longer! Or do some solo travelling of the country after. If you are a keen traveller, the only downside of the programme is that you don't get to explore the country as deeply as you may like as are in the city volunteering most of the time. So if I were to do it again, I would definitely go off and explore the country after.
46 people found this review helpful.
Response from Projects Abroad

Hi Lucy,
Thanks for your great review. We strive to meet expectations like yours, we’re happy to hear that we hit the mark for you. Thank you for your contribution towards our ongoing High School Specials Care & Community project in Nepal – your help is really appreciated. We hope to see you again on one of our projects!

Sajani Amatya, Country Director for Nepal

Default avatar
Victoria
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Projects Abroad High School Medicine Program In Nepal

Projects Abroad Nepal Medicine for high school students was EXTREMELY reliable and responded quickly to communications. The placement exceeded expectations and airport transfers/transfers in general, were reliable and safe! Many staff members were there to assist you and always cared for you!

During the placements, the staff provided you with support to get engaged with the physicians. We always had a chaperone with us to and from our placements. Food was taken care of! It was great as always! The doctors and surgeons at the hospitals were friendly and truly wanted to include you in the consultations and emergency situations.

Only con of this trip: International students were very hostile to Americans and the dance/fun activities were not facilitated well.

45 people found this review helpful.
Response from Projects Abroad

Hey Victoria,

Thanks so much for leaving such a great review!

I am so glad you had a great experience, our Medicine projects are among our most popular. It must be a lovely feeling when all the time and efforts you put in before the trip, to then feel that level satisfaction.

It is such a relief that transfers are seamless, sometimes when arriving in a new country one doesn't always have the luxury of an app to book your travel, I am glad we were able to produce a stress-free experience!

I am so sorry to hear that last part - I have made a note of this and I am contacting the Country Director and our HeadOffice Coordinator for them to deal with this. This is something that should not happen and I am very glad to hear this did not put a bad taste in your mouth and we hope you come again!

All the best,
Caleb
Projects Abroad - Community Manager

Questions & Answers

Hi Nikhil, thanks for reaching out! We have an entirely flexible payment plan and offer some fundraising support. Right now, we are offering a $250 travel grant for all applications we receive by December 31st, 2020. I hope that helps! Please reach out to us at [email protected] for further information. Kind regards, Courttani Project Expert - Projects Abroad

For the high school medical placement in Nepal, we visited four hospitals. Each day we rotated around different hospitals, one day we went to the Bharatpur Eye Hospital, whereby we were allocated to a room e.g Out Patient Department, Minor Operation Theatre, Paediatrics etc... and it was basically up to volunteers to take initiative to ask the junior doctors questions. We also visited the Chitwan...