|
|
 |
 |
Program Summary
This Abroad will focus on natural history, conservation, and culture in the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. Because of the tremendous geographical diversity associated with Nepal, it is considered one of the planet's last great storehouses of biological diversity--making it a fascinating place to study natural history. For the same reasons it is also a country with great cultural diversity--well over 50 ethnic groups and languages--making it an equally fascinating place to study culture and the interrelations between environment and society.
We begin with four days in central California, where farming, forestry, and nature conservation are just as intertwined as in Nepal. We will visit a few farms and forestry projects, and work on developing journal skills and a sense of family. Upon arriving in Nepal we spend our first 10 days studying language, culture, and conservation issues while residing at Tribhuvan University--near the capital city of Kathmandu. Students will have the opportunity to learn some basic Nepali (the national language), visit sites of cultural and religious import, and meet with local, state and international conservation agencies. During the remainder of the time in Nepal we travel to several parks, towns, and villages--exploring conservation issues and discovering ecosystems ranging from alpine tundra to oak/rhododendron forests to lowland floodplain jungle. Some highlights include Chitwan National Park (home of hundreds of bird species, the Bengal tiger, and the one-horned rhinoceros) and a 2-week mountain trek in the Annapurna Conservation Area. During the trek we live and eat with Nepali and Tibetan families and visit several community forestry and conservation projects. Above all the Nepal Abroad provides an opportunity for us to grow in our ability to think and pray with clarity and confidence--about social and environmental issues in the Himalayas, but also in our own homeland. |
|
|
 |
|
