This
program is designed for people who are interested
in religious culture, to stay in one monastery
for a period of two months or more. VSN Nepal
can provide longer stays upon request. Volunteers
will teach English to the monks, both young
and old, for around three to four hours per
day.In turn, the monks will share their knowledge
and culture with the volunteers. Meditation
practice, as well as fieldtrips to Hindu and
Buddhist holy sites, will be included in the
program.
For the first two weeks, the volunteer will
take intensive language classes,as well as teacher
training, everyday at the VSN Office,in Kathmandu.The
monks will be able to speak both languages so
it is really a matter of
the volunteers preference; however, most people
find Nepali easier to learn. the volunteers
will visit holy sites around the Kathmandu Valley.
After two weeks, they will be placed in the
monastery or a host family near to the monastery
depending on the availability of place stay
in the monastery, where they will stay for a
total of six weeks or more.Final week, volunteers
may take part in one of the ancient meditation
techniques for ten days in Kathmandu valley
or they visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord
Buddha. Lumbini is an incredibly peaceful area
in the south of Nepal and home to both Theravadan
and Tibetan monasteries. This program combines
religious research, through an experiential
approach, with volunteer English teaching. Due
to the fact that the monks spend their lives
inside the monastery, this program provides
them with the amazing opportunity to learn English,
as well as experience another culture, from
an international volunteer. |
