Why did you decide to volunteer with IVHQ in Nepal?
Mitchell: After completing my university studies I wanted to take some time off before starting my career. I always wanted to travel somewhere new and remote and I always wanted to do some sort of voluntary work with the local people (it's the best way to get to know them), so teaching English in Nepal seemed like the perfect option. As well as being quite affordable, IVHQ was extremely patient and quick to respond to any questions I had regarding travel or volunteering.
Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Mitchell: Living in a small farming village in the south of Nepal was just what I was after. There I stayed in a house rented out for 4-5 volunteers, which was great as it allowed me to really mix with the locals as well as have some privacy and quiet time when I needed it. The house was within walking distance of a local secondary school where I was teaching about 4 classes per day from Sunday to Friday. Each afternoon I would return home before some afternoon tutoring for the local kids in the village and paid a visit to the local orphanage any chance I had. There was always something to keep me busy. My commitments were flexible too, which allowed me to take a few days off here and there to check out some of the other sites around the country.
How has this experience helped you grow personally and professionally?
Mitchell: How could an experience like this not impact my future?! Personally it has totally changed my perspective on what my goals are for the future. I am still in contact with my friends in the village and have since taken part in other overseas volunteer programs. I am now looking into postgraduate studies so that I could get involved even further in community development, all the while I am saving up for my next trip to visit my friends back in southern Nepal.