Volunteers Initiative Nepal (VIN)

A Journey to Nepal: My Time with VIN

It all started with a simple decision, to give back, to do something meaningful. I signed up with Volunteers Initiative Nepal (VIN), not knowing where it would lead, only that I was ready. A few weeks later, I received the approval email. That was it, I was going to Nepal.

I had never been to Nepal before. The moment I stepped off the plane in Kathmandu, the air felt different, thinner, but full of energy. VIN welcomed me with open arms, and soon I was immersed in a week-long cultural training program. We learned about the customs, languages, challenges, and beauty of Nepali life. That training wasn’t just educational, it was grounding. It prepared us not only to serve but to belong.

What surprised me most was the amazing people I met, volunteers from Sweden, France, Portugal, Brazil, Canada, the U.S., Spain, Germany... a small global village brought together by the shared purpose of making a difference. We bonded quickly, over meals, long bus rides, laughter, and late-night chats under the stars. Some of those people became friends for life.

Initially, I planned to stay for three months. But Nepal had other plans for me. One opportunity led to another, and I ended up staying eight months in total. I became a volunteer English teacher at a Buddhist monastery in the hills—living, eating, and meditating daily with the monks. It was humbling, peaceful, and deeply fulfilling.

Beyond the monastery, I also joined community outreach programs supporting marginalized groups, especially women and children in need. Whether helping with education, health awareness, or simply listening, I learned how powerful it is to show up for others.

Those eight months in Nepal changed me forever. I didn’t just volunteer, I grew, I connected, and I gave my heart to a country that gave so much back.