Welcomed into Nepal

“We have waited for your arrival for 365 days and that day has finally come. Welcome.” These were the words of the 10^th graders as we stepped into their classrooms. They welcomed us with so much joy and love, I’m sure I will never forget. Coming into Nepal, I really had no expectations. Never having been to a developing country before, or even out of the United States, I was coming into Nepal with an open mind. The people and students here exceeded everything I could have ever imagined. I felt immediate kindness from the people here as soon as we stepped outside of the airport. There is nothing like it, being welcomed into this beautiful country and into Milla’s Guesthouse as it if was your own home.

Sanu is an amazing and beautiful woman who lives and works at the guesthouse. She is always cooking the best food and making sure that we are all okay. From having popcorn waiting for us when we come home from school; being welcomed on morning walks to worship at the temples; and passing Sanu on the stairs asking how my day was, she always finds a new way to make me feel welcomed. Getting to experience the culture here so far has been so incredible. Just this morning, we were woken up to the sounds of drums and various different instruments right in to courtyard of our guesthouse. It is truly one of the best experiences ever to have the sound of drums as your alarm clock.

 Flowers, Nepali candies, cards and performances are how we were greeted at the school. Seeing how talented each and every one kid sitting in that classroom is and how inviting the teachers are, gave me a newfound desire to push myself to be better and make sure that I am doing my absolute best, not only for the kids, but for myself. With being so welcomed into all of their lives so kindly, I wanted to give the same kindness back and help them learn new things in every was I possibly could. With not being prepared on my first day teaching, I was able to learn from my mistakes and put better lesson plans together that would benefit the kids and make sure they had a fun time. On the second day teaching, I put my nerves and fear of public speaking behind me, because I wanted to make sure that for the short time I am here for I am not wasting a second of it not doing what’s best for the kids I am teaching.

Seeing the kid’s faces light up whenever they learn something new is a feeling I want to have for the rest of my life. To have this kind of connection with the students is something I have never felt before and hope to feel again. It is the feeling of love and excitement, being proud of the students and feeling joyful from their smiles.  So far, this trip has taught me how much love each person I have met so far has to give. I have learned how happy and joyful everyone is here, even with how little some of them have. It has shown me how much there is in the world to see, and how astounding all of it can be.