Orientation and Training

Training begins on the first day of each month however, there may be a change to the starting date during the Dashain and Tihar festivals around October/November. As these festivals are determined by the lunar calendar we will advise volunteers wishing to begin around this time of the year regarding training start dates.

You are expected to be available to begin training on the first scheduled day (note: strictly no exceptions to this rule). Training consists of five days and is divided into two phases as detailed below. This is a thorough training program to prepare you for Nepali culture and to teach you enough Nepali language to function in your placement.

Please note that the following schedule may vary slightly without notice. All training materials will be disseminated during training.

Phase One

(Days 1 and 2) - All volunteers will be collected from the guesthouse reception area at 8.45am on the first day of training and escorted to the office. On the second day you will be expected to make your own way to the office to begin training at 9.00am. Training includes:

• Introduction to programs
• Discussion about current placements available
• Introduction to Code of Conduct, program rules and volunteer responsibilities
• Language tuition
• An introduction to Nepali culture
• An overview of Nepal's political situation
• Tips on personal health and safety
• Morning tea and lunch

Training ends at approximately 3.00pm during phase one, leaving you with free time in which you may wish to explore your surroundings, go shopping or meet up with current volunteers. Please note that training days can be exhausting, especially if you only arrive the day before it starts. If you want to do extensive sightseeing in Kathmandu we recommend that you arrive in Nepal a few days early to enable enough time to visit the area before training begins.

Accommodation on days one and two and five of training will be at Hotel Tradition, a local guesthouse which is located in Thamel. All of the rooms have 'western-style' toilets and hot-water showers. A telephone is available in reception, a safe is available to keep valuables secure and meals are available from the dining room. Depending on availability, during training you will either have a single room or you may have to share a room with a same-sex volunteer.

Heritage Home

Address: Satghumti, Thamel
Kathmandu, Nepal
Telephone Numbers: (++ 977 1) 4700217, 4700218, 4700219
Fax: (++ 977 1) 4700231
Email: info@hotelheritagehome.com
Website: http://www.hotelheritagehome.com
During phase one of training, only morning tea and lunch will be provided, volunteers are responsible for all other meals. You will find there are many economical food options in Thamel within walking distance of your hotel.

Phase Two

(Days 3 to 5) - For phase two of training the volunteer group will move to Bistachhap, VSN’s training village to provide volunteers with an orientation into Nepali village life. Volunteers are placed individually into local host families, unless they specifically request to be placed with another volunteer. You will eat traditional Nepali food, observe village culture and get a general feel for local life while continuing your Nepali language and cultural lessons. You will also be offered the opportunity to attend local sights of interest with our partner staff member. During this phase of training there will be plenty of time to review language lessons, practice language with the locals and adjust to the slow pace of Nepali life.

On the last day of training the volunteer group will be collected from the training village and return to the guesthouse.

During training you will have the opportunity to discuss the various placements available, our partner organisation will take into consideration volunteer requests and needs regarding placements but will have the final say on where volunteers are placed. Many factors are considered when assigning placements and these can be discussed further with our partner when in Nepal. If however, you are uncomfortable or not satisfied with your placement after some time please discuss with our partner staff, every effort will be made to ensure your placement experience is rewarding.