These blog posts have been contributed by student participants of the Nepal Field School (May 5-26, 2025), the theme of which is "Culture and Sustainable Development." During the field school, students learn about current development dynamics, opportunities and challenges in the context of Nepal. They encounter the history and culture of Nepal through visits to historic sites, meet with local development and human rights organisations, and learn about the country's culture, politics and economy from local experts.
Students visit three different geographic regions of Nepal to understand regional variations in development issues and culture: the mountains of Ilam in eastern Nepal, Chitwan National Park in the southern Terai, and numerous sites around the Kathmandu Valley. Participants in the field school include students from International Development Studies, Political Science, Anthropology, Environmental Science, Biological Science, Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, and Criminal Justice and Public Policy. The field school is led by Dr. Andrea Paras (Director of the Guelph Institute of Development Studies), in partnership with Broken Earth and Accomplish Holidays.
During my time in Nepal with the International Development Nepal Field School, my most memorable intercultural experience was in the rural community of Gorkhe, where the course focused on rural sustainable development. From the moment we arrived, the warmth and wisdom of this community were immediately apparent as we were welcomed with open arms and open hearts.
Something I learnt immediately upon entering Gorkhe was how deeply rooted kindness is in Nepali culture. We were greeted with beautiful music, warm smiles, scarfs, and flowers upon our arrival.
Since arriving in the Ilam region of Nepal, it’s been hard to miss the sprawling hills of tea gardens. They line every hillside, and fill the views with lush, orderly rows of bushes. Tea is Ilam district’s primary export, and a key feature of the local economy.
When we arrived in Gorkhe, a village in Ilam, Nepal, we were greeted warmly by the village’s young girls in traditional dress, holding small bouquets. There was music, dance, and kind greetings exchanged by all. We walked up the street, passing the market vendors along the way. After having tea at the community centre, we were taken to our individual homestays.
During our stay in Gorkhe, we had the opportunity to visit the local elementary and high school, giving us the chance to interact with the teachers, administrators and students. The visit was organized by one of the teachers, Bishal. Our group got a tour of the school facilities while discussing the challenges faced by teachers and students to improve the learning experience in their region.