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My journey to Nepal began slightly unexpectedly. As a part of my Grasp’s program in Mobilities and Instructional Tourism at Caen college, I used to be required to finish a related internship expertise outdoors of France. Nonetheless, I hadn’t set my thoughts on coming to Nepal, in actuality, I had little thought about what it could be prefer to work in Nepal as a foreigner. Now that I’ve been working in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, for a while, I’ve determined to jot down down the whole lot I want I knew about working in Nepal.
It was solely whereas wanting up ‘neighborhood tourism’ —my space of curiosity— that I came upon about an intriguing group in Nepal known as Neighborhood Homestay Community. It is a corporation that gives distinctive and genuine experiences, residing with locals. And so I despatched in an software expressing my curiosity in working with them and eight months later I’d discover myself on a aircraft to Kathmandu.
Discovering your self in Kathmandu
My mother was good sufficient to accompany me on the primary leg of my journey. She returned to France after two weeks in Nepal with me. On a latest telephone name together with her, she informed me about how she missed the environment of Nepal. Others who’ve been to the nation earlier than appear to share the sentiment.
We arrive in Nepal, on the first of February. Even with only a first few steps within the nation, I may see that the whole lot was very completely different from my residence nation. We (me and my mother) have been fortunate sufficient to be picked up on the airport by my internship supervisor, Pushpa, who additionally introduced us to our residence for the following two weeks, Aarya Chaitya Inn. The next lodging might be an residence in Patan, the place I’ll dwell for the following 5 months.
Since my mother and I arrived one week earlier than my internship, we had the time to go to completely different locations in Kathmandu. Boudhanath, Bhaktapur Durbar Sq., Thamel, and Pashupatinath are simply a number of the highlights. Simply strolling within the streets of Kathmandu is an journey. Scooters roaming in every single place, no precise addresses, potholes in roads, and numerous previous maze-like streets make the town fantastically chaotic.
Even consuming was a problem because the native meals was usually fairly spicy. Being somebody who has by no means eaten with quite a lot of spice, for me it’s a important change in my consuming habits, and typically my tummy has had a tough time adapting to my new weight loss plan.
What actually impressed me was the mix of previous and new structure and the Nepali each day life that I may observe. The variations that Kathmandu had with my hometown in France made the whole lot appear all of the extra charming. Even after nearly two months, the town nonetheless carries the identical appeal.
This journey appeared unreal and in a approach, was overwhelming for me. Frankly talking, on the very starting of my journey, I wasn’t fully relaxed (I nonetheless am uncomfortable typically in sure conditions). That is principally as a result of I don’t admire standing out; being a European it’s shortly evident that I’m a foreigner.
Nonetheless, as work started, I used to be in a position to take my marks and acclimate myself to the Nepali workplace surroundings. A key motive why I may modify so simply is essentially due to the kindness and friendliness of the Nepalese individuals, principally in my working and residing areas. I used to be amazed by the way in which they have been cautious with my issues and the way they’d accompany me via issues that I discovered tough. I felt well-supported, and it was very reassuring. It actually touched me when my internship supervisor, Pushpa, informed me “Taking good care of you is the least we are able to do. You’ve come such a great distance.” She made me really feel that almost all Nepali individuals have been heartwarming and welcoming, and in addition fairly curious.
Day by day life: Working in Kathmandu
Earlier than writing about what an off-the-cuff day seems like in Kathmandu, I need to level out some key info. To start with, working within the tourism sector right here, we’ve low/off seasons and excessive seasons. In the course of the off-season, we work from 10 Am to five PM from Monday to Friday, whereas in excessive season, we work from 9 AM to five PM or 10 AM to six PM, from Sunday to Friday. The excessive season lasts from March to Could within the spring and September to November within the fall.
This was stunning for me as a result of in France it’s on Sundays that we don’t work and right here it’s on Saturdays. In the course of the excessive seasons, we work as much as 48 hours per week; in France the utmost we’re allowed is 35 hours.
An informal day
Morning:
I normally get up round 8 am to dress, get breakfast, and clean up (7 am in the course of the excessive season). Then I order a Pathao to get to work. Pathao is a rideshare app that’s well-liked in Nepal. It’s sort of like Uber besides right here you get scooters and motorbikes!
It’s normally 10 AM by the point I get to work. I speak a bit with my colleagues earlier than getting right down to my work. My job normally consists of doing analysis and gathering info that may be helpful once we design new packages and merchandise for the corporate.
The working environment is sort of nice; individuals work significantly, however there isn’t a stress between each other and everybody will get alongside like mates. Typically all through the week, we’ve quite a few conferences the place we sustain with one another’s progress and duties.
Lunch-time:
Round Midday or 1 pm, it’s time to eat! For lunch, Pushpa and Sazza (my desk-mates), accompany me to the eating room of our sister firm ‘Royal Mountain Journey’, the place we get lunch and in addition communicate to different colleagues. We usually eat on the rooftop, it’s pleasant. In France, it could be unthinkable to be on a roof having meals.
After ending the meal, we regularly go for a stroll or take pleasure in some with our colleagues within the workplace. Every single day I study some new Nepali phrases due to my colleagues!
After an hour lengthy break, it’s time to get again to work.
Afternoon :
Within the afternoon, I primarily proceed to proceed my work with analysis for packages, usually with the assistance of Pushpa. Because the weeks go by, the duties change into increasingly diversified.
Round 5 pm, the day ends and, I order a Pathao to get again residence. My colleagues usually wait with me for my journey to reach. I’m all the time stunned by how the Pathao drivers ask questions whereas driving, essentially the most recurrent one is “The place are you from?”
Each occasionally the workplace additionally has some leisure actions after work or at midday. Generally it’s a karaoke session, and typically it’s a birthday celebration. It’s a nice alternative to get to know the individuals I work with higher and have a good time.
After work :
On most days, I arrive again residence between 5:30 and 6 PM. I relaxation a bit, draw, dance, watch a collection, or take pleasure in a while with my roommate. Or I work on some assignments I need to give again to my college in France. I’m additionally required to offer again an internship report and a analysis dissertation as soon as I’m performed with my internship.
Round 7:30 PM, I’ve dinner and get again to my actions. By 10 or 11 PM, I’m able to go to mattress and fall asleep. After which comes the following day, and right here we go once more!
Bonus info:
What stunned me most?
Loads of issues, to be trustworthy. The roads and the way individuals drive are a bit chaotic, however on the similar time, individuals have nice reflexes, so it really works out. Different issues embody {the electrical} cables jumbled throughout streets, on a regular basis life generally, the little retailers hidden right here and there, the meals, and even the bogs (in France we’ve bathe cubicles or bathtubs, and typically the bogs are separated from the toilet). The heat of individuals, how every time they have been all so welcoming and talkative (in a great way). However I do assume I nonetheless have many issues to find and be stunned by!
What do I miss most?
The meals (particularly desserts), my family and friends again residence, and being extra unbiased as a result of for the second I don’t really feel relaxed sufficient to do the whole lot that I need to do! However as a result of I’ve a lot good firm, I don’t really feel lonely in any respect, neither at work with my colleagues or roommates Ashrina and Robin.
What do I take pleasure in essentially the most?
The individuals. They actually brighten up my days; going out with my colleagues or roommates (Pushpa, Sazza, Nilu, Melisa, Rubik, Ashrina, and plenty of extra) and simply observing and discovering on a regular basis life in Kathmandu is maybe the most important joys in my life right here.
Goodbye. Thanks for studying! (Drawings by Diotime Thunin)
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