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Frequently Asked Questions
We have collected some FAQ in this page; you are always welcome to ask us your more questions via email.
1. How do I register as a Volunteer with VSSN?
2. Where can I obtain a VISA?
3. How is the program length designed?
4. Why should I learn the language? Is it easy?
5. Do I need to speak English to become a volunteer?
6. How can I prepare materials for teaching English?
7. Do I have to be from a certain country to volunteer?
8. Who will visit me to the placement and what support will I receive?
9. What about Hygiene?
10. What should I bring for the host family?
11. What are the living arrangements when volunteering?
12. What things should I bring for myself?
13. What vaccinations should I consider having prior to arrival?
14. How do I change money? Are Master/Visa or other cards accepted?
15. What about Internet, Email and Phone?
16. What is the climate like and what clothes should I bring?
17. What is the current political situation in Nepal?
18. What religions are practiced in Nepal?
1. How do I register as a Volunteer with VSSN?
Send an email mentioning your program of interest and tentative arriving date and duration of volunteering. Attach a CV, and a copy of distal photo (should be small sized and clear to see). You may have lots of questions about program and other issues. We will be more than happy to respond to your emails as soon as possible.
2. Where can I obtain a VISA?
You will receive first two months visa at airport in Kathmandu. All volunteers and tourists apply for tourist visa at Kathmandu airport upon arrival. You will easily receive it. Visa process will be faster if you carry few of your PP size photo with you.
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3. How is the program length designed?
The first week program will be Nepali language and cultural training and this week you will visit some historical places for sight seeing, you can also do shopping while you visit places like Thamel and New Road. After that you will be taken to the placement for work.
4. Why should I learn the language? Is it easy?
Many people in Nepal understand English but speaking few sentences in Nepali will make your life easier. Nepali is not a hard language, we have designed a course book and our language trainers are experienced, qualified and friendly. They have very good English language skills. We can send you a few lessons of our course book upon request.
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5. Do I need to speak English to become a volunteer?
Yes, but it is acceptable if your English is second language. A good communicative English language is a must for Volunteers.
6. How can I prepare materials for teaching English?
You can bring books and pictures in class room which describe about your place, people, family etc. These can be very good teaching materials. Nepali children would love to know more about you, your country and people. The children also love simple arts and crafts, stickers, games, picture books, etc. Click here to see advice from our past volunteer.
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7. Do I have to be from a certain country to volunteer?
No, you can come and volunteer with us from any country. The majority of volunteers come from the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia. Though the embassies of some countries are requesting you not to travel to Nepal, the situation remains very safe for volunteers.
8. Who will visit me to the placement and what support will I receive?
One of our staff member will come to the placement to visit you regularly. There will be telephone access at your host family, you can contact VSSN staff any time you need. You will receive all necessary support which you need. First few days that you start living with host family VSSN staff will come everyday to help with your work and family adjustment.
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9. What about Hygiene?
We always try our best to maintain the food and water hygiene during training and placement, our host-families are experienced with many past volunteers and they will always give you boiled water and well cooked food. VSSN has already trained the host families regarding the safety of water and food. You may get illnesses like diarrhea or giardia in Nepal so you need to be aware of water and food when you are traveling.
10. What should I bring for the host family?
You can bring anything which you think that is best. It is always good to bring a unique and souvenir type gift. If you would like to bring gifts for your family, here are some suggestions; a t-shirt, key-chain, cap, calendar, toy for kids, table book or magazine, a framed picture of yourself and your Nepali family (you can have this made while in Nepal), chocolate etc.
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11. What are the living arrangements when volunteering?
You are provided with food and accommodations that are covered by your volunteer program fee. During the initial language training you will stay in a hotel in Kathmandu. This initial training may also involve spending time in a local village with a Nepali family practicing what you have learned. While you are there, you will be housed and fed by the local people who are compensated by VSSN as part of your program fee. When volunteering, you are placed in a 'family' home in the village where you will be working. Please do not expect a luxurious placement with a cozy bed, hot showers, and a Western style toilet. In Kathmandu there is electricity, but generally you will not find it outside of major centers. Two meals a day are provided for you while volunteering, as well as snacks. You are advised to buy your own bottled water once you arrive in Nepal, and only drink boiled water during your home-stay. We offer accommodations from the first day of the program to the last day. For the volunteers who arrive earlier or who want to stay longer, it is not possible to offer accommodations, but we will help volunteers to find a quality, inexpensive place to stay.
12. What things should I bring for myself?
Here are the lists of most common and important things you may need to bring; all the items you can buy cheaply in Nepal but the quality may not be very good.
• Flashlight, head torch (very important, you can also buy in Nepal)
• Sleeping Bag (important)
• Hiking boots (important)
• comfortable shoes for indoor use/ flip flops (important- you can buy in Nepal)
• Fleece jacket (during winter)
• Light-weight cotton clothing (you can also buy in Nepal)
• Waterproof jacket (a fold-away wind cheater is fine)
• (for Women) Sarong (or you can buy a lungi cheaply in Nepal)
• Mosquito repellent (cream would be good)
• Sun cream
• Water purification tablets and/or good quality water purifier (not so important)
• First aid kit (not so important)
• Pen-knife
• Books about your country
• Photos of your family / friends / home (essential!)
• A few examples of your local currency
• Books for reading in your free time.
• Basic Learner's English/Nepali/English dictionary – for simple definitions (buy a Nepali dictionary if you stay for longer time)
• Colored pencils and pens, drawing books, stickers
• Inflatable globe
• Books on teaching English/English Grammar for your reference
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13. What vaccinations should I consider having prior to arrival?
You should consider the following vaccinations, however, please consult your doctor / local travel clinic for the latest recommendations regarding vaccines and Nepal:
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Hepatitis A & B
• Yellow fever
• Rabies
• Tuberculosis
• Malaria tablets
14. How do I change money? Are Master/Visa or other cards accepted?
Nowadays, there are ATM services in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitawan and in some other cities there are several ATM booths which will open during day time. There are several banks and money exchange services. You can bring Master/Visa card, cash $/ Euro or travelers checks, these all are accepted.
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15. What about Internet, Email and Phone?
There are many cyber cafés, international and local phone facilities in every small area of Kathmandu valley and other towns of Nepal. You will be staying near the town so every weekend you will be able to access internet. There are many telephone services and you can make calls to your home country paying about half a dollar per minute.
16. What is the climate like and what clothes should I bring?
Nepal is geographically divided into three parts. Nepal is not always as cold as people think. The Himalayan region of Nepal is very cold in the winter, while the mid-hill region and Terai region of Nepal have different climates in different seasons. The weather is cold from December to February but warm and moderately hot in the summer. The spring and fall seasons are cool and very pleasant. Please bring your winter clothes (thick layers!) if you are coming in November, December, January, or February. Please bring summer clothes for the rest of the months. If you are volunteering in the rainy season (July and August), please bring a light rain jacket and umbrella. We advise female volunteers not to wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, or short skirts in villages. Nepali people dress modestly and girls cover most of their body, in accordance with Nepali tradition.
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17. What is the current political situation in Nepal?
Please visit www.thehimalayantimes.com ; this is unbiased daily news out of Kathmandu.
18. What religions are practiced in Nepal?
More than 80% of the country practices Hinduism, the second most practiced religion is Buddhism, as well as small percentages of Muslims and Christians. In Nepal, all different types of belief systems get along very well.
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