Nepal Semester

Himalayan Studies

A 3-Month Gap Year Program

Travel program in Nepal Mountains

Experience the enchantment of the Himalayas: trek on the roof of the world, study traditional arts with local masters, and sit for a Buddhist meditation retreat. For students interested in high-mountain exploration, eastern spiritual and artistic traditions, and connecting with the kindness of Nepali hospitality.

The Himalayas. With their web of isolated valleys and distinct ethnic groups, these majestic peaks have drawn intrepid travelers and seekers for millennia.

Through rural and urban homestays, a meditation retreat in a Buddhist monastery, high mountain trekking, community engagement, and independent study projects, our Nepal Semester students experience this remarkable region and its people, encountering ancient spiritual traditions deeply rooted in a mystical land.

Nepal Travel Abroad

Highlights & Outcomes

Apprentice in a Local Craft

Learn a traditional art or trade alongside a local master through hands-on apprenticeship

Practice Mindfulness

Study Buddhist philosophy and practice daily meditation during an extended monastery retreat

Gain Trekking Skills

Hike stunning Himalayan landscapes while building leadership, navigation, and wilderness skills

Experience Himalayan Life

Live with homestay families to explore Himalayan daily life, spirituality and tradition firsthand

tiered orange building
line drawing of Nepal

Your Journey Starts Here

Our Nepal Semester is rooted in the Kathmandu Valley, a historic crossroads of Himalayan cultures. While living with host families and studying Nepali language, students engage with local scholars, activists, and artists to explore Nepal’s rich history, politics, and culture. Independent study apprenticeships and learning service projects allow students to dive into personal areas of interest, from environmental work to education and development.

Spiritual traditions are a central focus of the program, with introductions to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Shamanism through both academic and experiential learning. Students may apprentice with local masters in bronze casting, thangka painting, music, stone carving, jewelry making, Ayurvedic medicine, or other traditional art forms.

Beyond the city, students spend time in rural villages to experience the rhythm of agrarian life and reflect on global inequities through participation in grassroots development and farming activities. The semester culminates with a two-week trek through the Himalayas — in regions like Langtang or Annapurna — offering a physically and mentally challenging expedition through some of the planet’s most awe-inspiring terrain.

This immersive, place-based Nepal Semester fosters deep cultural understanding, personal growth, and critical reflection — equipping students with tools to navigate the world with greater confidence, humility, and curiosity.

Itinerary Example

Nepal Semester

Itinerary Example
The following is a sample itinerary based on past courses; actual itineraries are dynamic and may vary.
  • Week 1: Orientation, Getting to Know Nepal

    Nepal Travel Abroad
    Nepal Travel Abroad

    Students arrive in Kathmandu after a long international flight. Instructors greet the group at the airport and together we travel to the village of Dhulikhel on the rim of Kathmandu Valley to begin our in-country orientation. Here we have time to rest and unwind and get settled through various orientation activities, discussions and explorations. Following our orientation we embark on our first 3-day trek on the rim of Kathmandu Valley, hiking through rural villages and continuing to get to know Nepal and one another.

  • Week 2-4: Urban Homestays in Kathmandu, Language Study, and ISPs

    Nepal Travel Abroad
    Nepal Travel Abroad

    Upon returning to Kathmandu, we begin our 4 week-long urban homestay in Nepal’s hustling, bustling capital city. During this time we have guest speakers and discussions on a variety of topics relating to Nepal’s culture and development. Using increasing language skills, we delve deeper into Nepali culture, spending time with host families and ISP mentors, bargaining at the local market, and independently exploring the city.

    The weekly schedule during this time is generally as follows: Monday through Friday there is breakfast at the program house, followed by Nepali language lessons, a guest speaker or an instructor or student-led discussion, and then lunch. Afternoons are dedicated to time Independent Study Projects (ISPs), where you dig deep into an aspect of the culture that most interests you.

    Weekends are dedicated to spending time with homestay families and student-led excursions to various places throughout the city. During this time we will wrap up ISP projects, prepare for our ISP presentations and host a gratitude party for our homestay families and ISP mentors.

  • Week 5-6: Trek Through the Himalayas

    Nepal Travel Abroad
    prayer flags with mountain in background

    We leave the Kathmandu Valley to embark on a 2-week trek into the Himalayas, where we cross high mountain passes, explore villages and Nepali culture along the way, sleep in tents, and learn basic expedition and leadership skills.

  • Week 7: Mid-course Retreat

    Nepal Travel Abroad
    terraced rice paddy with mountains in background

    We return from trek to celebrate our accomplishments in the mountains and reflect on the course thus far and set goals for the remaining time that we have. We prepare to settle into an entirely differently routine at the monastery.

  • Week 8: Buddhist Meditation Retreat

    Nepal Travel Abroad
    monks praying at monastery in India

    We travel to Namo Buddha Monastery, a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery on the rim of Kathmandu Valley, were we will participate in a Tibetan Buddhist retreat. This is a unique opportunity to delve into a first hand experience of Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy, meditation and practice as well as experiencing monastic life.

  • Week 9-10: Rural Homestay in Ale Gaun, Learning Service, & Tihar Festival Celebration

    Nepal Travel Abroad
    Nepal Travel Abroad

    Following our retreat, we depart Kathmandu and travel west to our rural homestay village called Ale Gaun (the home of Ale family), located about three hours from Pokhara, Nepal’s second largest city. We will spend two weeks here, participating in everyday rural life, which may include early morning milking of buffaloes, harvesting fields and preparing dinner with our host families. At this time we will also be participating in a learning service project and learning about the damage that the village suffered in the 2015 earthquake. We will also celebrate another important festival called Tihar, the festival of lights, with our families!

  • Week 11: Expedition Phase & Transference

    Nepal Travel Abroad
    people looking out over mountains

    From Ale Gaun, the students take the reins of the course and guide the group on an adventure that they have planned themselves. We call this expedition phase, or x-phase, when the students put the knowledge and skills they have learned to practice in a very hands-on way. Past groups have chosen to travel to Chitwan or Lumbini in the Terai region of Nepal or go on another short trek.

    The final week is dedicated to reflecting on our journey thus far, celebrating our accomplishments and preparing for our journey home. We will spend a few days in the eco-village of Bandipur, where we will explore one of Nepal’s largest caves, enjoy beautiful mountain views and celebrate together! Returning to Kathmandu, we will have a chance to say our goodbyes to friends and homestay families before beginning the journey home.

Religious & Spiritual Traditions

Spend a week at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery to learn about Buddhist philosophy and practice meditation. Experience the prevalent traditions of Hinduism with homestay families, community events, and other local friends.

Independent Study Project

Mentor with local experts in topics such as stone carving and mask making, Nepali cuisine, dance and vocals, women’s issues, comparative religion, Ayurvedic medicine, jewelry making, painting, and more.

Homestay

Spend approximately 3 weeks in urban homestays in the Kathmandu Valley and up to 2 weeks in a homestay in a rural village.

Trekking

Embark on a 2-week high altitude supported trek through rugged parts of the Himalayas with additional shorter hiking opportunities throughout.

Rugged Travel

Split time between urban settings and rugged mountain landscapes, traveling by bus, local transportation, and foot.

Language Study

Learn and practice Nepali language through daily language classes and homestay immersion.

Social & Environmental Justice

Examine issues such as health and education, human rights, environment and land use, globalization, and poverty.

Learning Service

Work alongside village homestays with farming and harvesting. Learn more about service through visits with local nonprofits and community leaders

Optional College Credit

To deepen your experience abroad, you may choose to enroll in one optional college-level course during the program. For those who choose to enroll, they will be invoiced for an additional college credit fee on top of the program cost.

Students who take a college credit course will receive an official transcript from our university School of Record upon successful completion of the program. Taking advantage of the college credit option may make 529 plan funds eligible toward the entire program cost.

Learn About College Credits

Through our School of Record, you have the option to enroll in one of the following courses for college credit:

  • COLS 191: Self & Culture in Experiential Cohorts
  • CTE 191: Introduction to Leadership Development
See Course Offerings

Meet a Few of Our Instructors

Experienced educators. Community builders. Life mentors. With deep regional expertise and local language fluency, our instructors are skilled at providing context for the student experience and building cultural bridges. We collectively draw upon personal networks to create opportunities for connection and guide students along their journey.

Meet Our Instructors

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