This blog was written by Bridge Year Fellow Allyson Horst.
I landed in Kathmandu, Nepal four weeks ago now and oh how I have learned so much since
then.
When I left Miami International Airport on my first international flight, I didn’t know exactly what
to expect. I had done extensive research on Nepal, and I’d spoken to many people who had
either visited or lived there.
Although, I was still nervous. It was my first time leaving the United States and a long way from
home.
On the flight to Qatar, I found myself worrying about culture shock, water access, and my
upcoming role as a teacher for thirty students. After 30 hours of travel, including a luxurious
layover in Doha, I finally arrived in Kathmandu.
To be honest, I had no idea what I was doing when I landed. I just knew I had a few important
things to accomplish before heading to my placement:
● Get a 90-day tourist visa
● Get my first passport stamp!
● Exchange USD for Nepali rupees
● Retrieve my luggage
● Find my driver in the parking lot
I was overwhelmed. I didn’t know a single word of Nepali beyond Namaste. I felt like a fish out
of water. But thanks to a little luck and some very helpful airport staff, I managed to check
everything off the list.
Then came the six-hour drive to my new home: Maya Universe Academy in Vyas, a small rural
village where I’ll be living and teaching for the next three months. I waved goodbye to the
bustling streets of Kathmandu and braced myself for the next chapter.
Those first three days? Brutal.
No one warns you how hard jet lag hits. Nepal is 9 hours and 45 minutes ahead of my
hometown, so I spent several sleepless nights powered by unhealthy amounts of melatonin
gummies. Even after the jet lag wore off, I wasn’t exactly loving the experience.
Everything was just different. No A/C meant hot, sticky days. A limited water supply left me
thirsty. Random power outages made me anxious about when I’d be able to charge my phone or
connect to Wi-Fi. These seemingly small inconveniences were not familiar to me and I needed
to learn how to adjust while being comfortable in this new space.
That’s how I’d sum up those first few days: adjusting.Things were different. But slowly, things
began to shift.
Once I settled into a solid routine of teaching two classes a day, tutoring, and carving out time to
plan lessons, I began to feel more grounded. I found small moments to relax. I felt productive.
And I started to realize: this experience, as challenging as it is, is also deeply rewarding.
I wish you could be right next to me to experience this right now because no amount of words
can describe the fun I am having! Here’s a list of what I have done and learned these past four
weeks:
● Celebrated Teej with teachers and students!
● Made momos
● Watched a Nepali movie that a friend of mine helped to make (even though it was
entirely in Nepali without English subtitles I LOVED IT – and cried at the ending)
● Had countless banana lassis
● Learned what modal verbs are (who thought teaching English means I learn English)
● Journaled almost everyday!
● Hosted a pizza party (if you know me, I can’t cook for the life of me so this was a
challenge)
● Dancing With The Stars premiere watch night (love you Bruno)
● Celebrated my 21st birthday!!!!
● Ate the best egg curry in Nepal?!?
● Visited Pohkara and had a blast in the city!
● Learned my students love love love Ed Sheeran (we sing “Perfect” together if they do all
of their work before class ends)
Till next time!
