Why TEFL Course in Katmandu, Nepal?

TEFL International has always maintained its tradition of conducting the TESOL programs in such locations which rule supreme in terms of travel destination.

The Himalayas are listed by the BBC as one of the 50 places to see before you die. And where else would this majestic range be more imposing than in Nepal? The nation is home to eight of the fourteen highest mountains on earth including Mt. Everest (8850m). The Himalayas have not only blessed Nepal with a seamless beauty but has also groomed it as the gateway to boundless adventures…. the rugged north is a trekkers' paradise whereas indo-Gangetic lowland in the south, more popularly termed as the Terrai, is home to a fascinating display of wildlife, flora and fauna.

Katmandu - the nerve center of Nepal was therefore an obvious choice for TEFL. Katmandu is like a Pandors's Box for its tourists – it offers a bounty and has much more in store. Katmandu is a lively city where every moment can be enjoyed. From the Casinos to the King's Palace, the sculpted shrines to the handicraft fares - the city sports an unmistakable verve. A four-week TESOL course set amidst the mystical madness of this Himalayan Kingdom introduces its trainees to the charming world of learning, perceiving and absorbing; it is an experience that travels beyond the boundaries of the TEFL classroom.

What is the attraction?

In one of its articles on Katmandu, 'The New York Times' once wrote –

'In the center of the city, for instance, a young girl from the Newari ethnic group is visible inside the exquisitely carved Kumari Palace, where she is revered by people in the Katmandu Valley as a living goddess. She will come to the window facing her courtyard if asked to do so, but it is forbidden to photograph her. In front of the palace, meanwhile, Nepali teen-agers stroll in acid-washed jeans, and helmeted motorcyclists rev a path through sari-draped grocery shoppers.'

The labyrinth of narrow alleys is full of diverse surprises for the tourist. But what attracts you to Katmandu are not the activities that keep the city abuzz but more intensely the details in those activities. A religious fervor co-exists with the bohemianism in the air of this Hippie capital. Katmandu melds culture with the concurrent and is also the perfect gateway to the wonders of the Himalayas.

What is in Katmandu for you?

Originating in the Puranas and ruled by an absolute monarchy for centuries, Katmandu today is the largest and the most significant urban site of Nepal. Despite being a predominantly Hindu nation, Buddhism with all its glory and vigour has flourished and expanded in Nepal the birthplace of Gautama Siddharta or Buddha – the enlightened one. And this religious antecedence is apparent almost everywhere in Katmandu. UNESCO has duly declared Katmandu Valley as one of the World Heritage sites – replete with temples, shrines, palaces, antiquated architectures and more.

Katmandu is best explored on foot. For those who admire architectural splendor, it is worth mentioning that ancient buildings and temples are just around everywhere in Katmandu. River Bagmati flows through the city which is situated at an altitude of 1,200 to 1,500 m.

The Durbar Square, which is also the central attraction of Katmandu, has a mysterious quality about it. The square is crowded with old palaces, well-attended temples and the wooden house or the 'Kasthamandaps'. It is the oldest surviving structure which gave the city its name. Some of the buildings and statues that are contained in this small area are - the Taleju Temple, Ashok Vinayak, Maju Deval, Kumari Palace (the home of the 'living goddess), Seweta Bhairav, Kal Bhairav and Mahendraswar Temple. The New Road that takes off from this square is a permanent display of electronic gizmos, photo-shops and knickknacks from world over.

Besides Darbar Square, the 4 other World Heritage sites in the city are the Swaymbhu Nath, Boudh Nath and Pashupati Nath Temple revered for their spiritual as well as historical brilliance. Swaymbhu Nath is the 'Monkey Temple' and Pashupati Nath is the shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Tibetan population with their Buddhist way of life has thrived around Boud Nath- one of the largest stupas in the world.

The Hanuman Dhoka or the old royal palace stands in close proximity of the 300-year-old statue of Hanuman – the monkey god draped in red.

The other sites worth a peek in Katmandu are the Basantpur Tower with its erotic carvings; the Kumari Bahal Palace which is the residence of the Living Goddess; the picturesque Newari village of Kirtipur replete with everything that is elaborate and quaint. The Balaju Water Garden, the Martyr's Memorial, the National History Museum, the Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, the Mahaboudha Temple distributed within the city and along its fringes makes it an interesting experience for its visitors.

Evening and night life in Katmandu

Though Katmandu is not a paradise for the avid night-outers, there is always plenty of fun to be had. Entertainment goes on till late night in the Thamel area where most of the bars, clubs and discotheques are located. Some of the names that are worth recommending include Pub Maya, Paddy Foley's Irish Bar, Rum Doodle Bar. One can visit the clubs like the Underground Bar and the Galaxy Disco. Live music at New Orleans Café and Rox Bar are good enough to keep you swaying to the rhythm, but only till 22:00 hours as per the law.

Nightlife in Katmandu travels beyond discos, jazz and pub hopping, to include more modes of entertainment. The casino-wheels here swirl round the clock. There are four Casinos in Kathmandu located in the premises of the city's top hotels which offers 24 hours of non stop fun and games like baccarat, blackjack, flush, poker, pontoon, roulette, and other card games and slot machines. All the games are played in chips and they can be bought with US dollars or Indian rupees. You'll get free food and sometimes a disco if you put some money on the tables. Nepali's are officially forbidden from entering in Casinos.

From movies to dining, from exotic meals to cultural shows – Katmandu isn't ever short of entertainment options

Weekend activities

In between two weeks of intensive classroom teaching there is a lot to do to keep your weekends active in Katmandu. Nestled amidst the Himalayas, Katmandu engages you in short treks, sight seeing, mountain fights. For those who have an inclination for adventure sports can go kayaking, rafting, canyoning, climbing or mountain biking.

The hills of Nagarkote and Dhulikhel offer breathtaking views of the mountains. If you have combed well through old city, markets, the Darbar Square, the Royal Palace, the National Museum and the team of temples, move beyond the urbane boundaries of the city into the traditional Nepali villages. It is always a refreshing experience to spend time with the villagers and absorb much of the ethnicity and tradition in exchange during a Village home stay.

Travel to Patan, wandering the streets and stumbling across some of its 600 stupas and 185 bahals (Buddhist monasteries). Enjoy the fun of watching handicrafts being made. You can also spend your weekends in strict regimes of yoga or meditation classes or by learning about Tibetan Buddhism.

Climate Guide to Katmandu

Nepal has a huge elevation range and the weather is therefore hugely variable from one area to the next (depending upon its elevation). If you are planning to do any traveling or trekking either before or after your course, we strongly recommend you look into the weather conditions for where you are planning to go before making your arrangements. These guidelines outline the seasons and weather patterns in Katmandu.

• Autumn (late September to late November)
• Generally clear and dry
• 13-27 degrees Celsius
• This is the most popular time for trekking
• Winter (December and January)
• Generally clear and can be misty
• 13-19 degrees Celsius
• Spring (February to mid-April)
• Warmer weather
• 10-28 degrees Celsius
• This is the second most popular time for trekking.
• Pre-monsoon (mid-April to June)
• Increasingly warm weather and levels of humidity
• 12-29 degrees Celsius
• Monsoon (mid-June to mid-September)
• 19-28 degrees Celsiu