Specific information about volunteering at the Patan Academy of Health Sciences

The cost of living in Nepal is very low compared to Western standards.

Round-trip airfare from North America to Nepal costs between US$1200 and 2000, depending on when you want to travel, how far in advance you buy your tickets, how much time you spend looking for airfare, and how flexible your travel plans are.

Tourist visas are available on arrival at the Kathmandu airport for US$30 for 60 days. Tourist visas can easily be extended for up to 150 days in each calendar year.

Internet access and public telephones are widely available in Kathmandu and Patan.

Adapters for electrical equipment are widely available. Nepal has four different kinds of plugs, so it may be easiest to buy these after you arrive and see what kind of adapters you need. Electricity in Nepal is 220 Volts. If you need a transformer, you should probably pick that up before you travel to Nepal. However, most laptops and chargers for cameras and mobile phones can run on 110 to 220 Volts; check the fine print on the charger cable.

The political situation in Nepal is more stable than it has been in years. The Kathmandu valley is particularly safe. However, Nepal is still in a state of transition, and the future of the country is being determined. There may be periodic strikes (bandhs), which shut down transportation for a few days, and protests that stop traffic. Some restaurants and shops selling basic supplies will always be open in Kathmandu and Patan, however.

The Kathmandu valley is subject to occasional power outages, most of which last only a couple hours. It’s good to be prepared for these with a flashlight or candles.

If you have any more questions, please send an email to info@pahs.edu.np.