By Mohammad Hijazi, Marketing & Communications Manager
In March 2025, I had the privilege of accompanying a group of 17 students and faculty from Ursuline College on their fifth group service-learning trip to Nepal—my first, but certainly not my last. As United Planet’s Marketing & Communications Manager, I’ve long understood the logistical and mission-driven side of our volunteer abroad programs. But nothing compares to being on the ground, fully immersed in the culture, connecting with local communities, and watching students grow in real time.
This 12-day trip to Nepal was much more than just a visit—it was a powerful, soul-enriching experience rooted in service learning, cross-cultural exchange, and youth empowerment through art therapy. It brought together people from two sides of the world in a way that fostered empathy, resilience, and lifelong memories.
First Impressions of Nepal: A Country That Awakens All the Senses
Nepal is a place that captivates you from the moment you arrive. From the air, Kathmandu spreads out like a woven tapestry of rooftops, temples, and winding alleyways. On the ground, it’s a feast for the senses: delicious food, bustling street markets, incense-filled air, and warm, welcoming people who greet you with heart and kindness.
Though rich in culture and spirit, Nepal also faces deep socioeconomic challenges. Our time in Kathmandu offered both a cultural awakening and a humanizing lens into some of the issues facing communities today, from generational poverty to gender inequality to trauma recovery. This contrast was a core element of the transformational travel experience for the students and faculty.
Cultural Immersion in Kathmandu
The trip began with sightseeing and cultural immersion activities that laid the foundation for everything to come. Some of us hiked to Champa Devi for panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley, while others opted for a guided walk through local markets. We explored Bhaktapur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with medieval architecture, artisan workshops, and temples.
Evenings were spent visiting sacred sites like Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa, where the spiritual heartbeat of Nepal could be felt in every prayer flag and spinning wheel. These experiences helped our group understand the spiritual fabric that holds Nepalese culture together.
What Is Service-Learning?
Service-learning is more than volunteering—it’s a structured educational experience that combines meaningful service with intentional reflection and learning. It’s designed to foster civic responsibility, deepen cultural understanding, and encourage personal growth. Throughout our Quest in Nepal, students engaged in hands-on projects, guided discussions, and daily reflections, allowing them to process the cultural, emotional, and intellectual layers of the experience.
As the faculty lead of this trip, Dr. Katherine Jackson, beautifully put it:
“If I see you, then that’s healing in itself. And you see me — and that’s healing for me. Our students and I maybe get more than we give. And that’s the beauty of service-learning.”
This perspective encapsulates the essence of United Planet’s mission to build a more united, compassionate world through reciprocal human connection.
Empowering Youth Through Art Therapy
Many of the activities we facilitated on-site centered around art therapy for children and youth. Art became our common language, transcending barriers of culture and communication. The students led activities like bracelet braiding, painting, drawing, and coloring, and engaged the children through creative expression.
These sessions weren’t just about fun; they were rooted in trauma-informed care. The children we worked with were part of two vulnerable groups: some lived at a residential school for children whose mothers are incarcerated, while others were residents of a safe center for survivors of sexual abuse. Through art, play, and presence, we created a space where they could feel seen, valued, and free to express themselves.
Art therapy is a powerful tool for healing, particularly for young people processing emotional hardship or instability. Through these moments of shared creativity, we witnessed kids begin to open up, smile, laugh, and express themselves in ways that words often couldn’t reach.
As Kaylynn, a graduate student from Ursuline, shared:
“The culture, the people, the connection made at the sites, it’s all been great! I think it was a really special experience just to make connections with the kids we’ve worked with. The most impactful thing about being in Nepal is just being able to see little altars everywhere you go and just feeling the uplifting energy.”
Holi: A Colorful Celebration of Community
One of the most joyful and unforgettable experiences of our trip was celebrating Holi, Nepal’s vibrant festival of colors. On our final day working with children, we joined in a playful, meaningful celebration full of powdered colors, laughter, music, and movement. There’s something transcendent about Holi, the way it blurs boundaries and brings everyone together in pure joy.
It was also a fitting metaphor for the emotional palette of our trip: colorful, messy, deeply human, and full of heart. Holi gave our group a moment to let go, connect, and simply be with the community we had grown to love.
Chitwan National Park: Wild Beauty and Reflection
After completing our volunteer work in Kathmandu, we transitioned into the second phase of the trip: a retreat to Chitwan National Park, one of Nepal’s most famous natural reserves. The journey there was a scenic descent into lush lowlands, far removed from the chaos of the city.
Our first adventure in Chitwan was a canoe ride along a crocodile-filled river — equal parts thrilling and nerve-wracking! We then embarked on a guided jungle safari, where we were lucky enough to spot wild rhinos, sloth bears, peacocks, langur monkeys, and dozens of exotic bird species. The next morning, we enjoyed a peaceful breakfast alongside elephants, a surreal and beautiful experience that grounded us in nature’s rhythm.
This retreat gave our group the time and space to decompress, reflect, and bond after an emotionally rich week of service. It helped us process everything we had experienced and re-center ourselves before returning home.
Growth, Reflection, and Transformation
Throughout the 12 days, I watched the students evolve, becoming more open, more curious, and more deeply connected to themselves and each other. The group dynamic strengthened every day, and by the end, it felt more like a family than a school delegation.
These kinds of experiences aren’t just about travel; they’re about transformation. They challenge us to step outside our comfort zones, see the world through new eyes, and return home changed.
Final Reflections: Why Volunteer in Nepal?
Volunteering in Nepal through United Planet is not a typical “trip abroad.” It’s a journey that blends cultural immersion, human connection, and meaningful impact into an unforgettable adventure. For students and educators alike, it’s an opportunity to live out the values of compassion, service, and global citizenship in real time.
Nepal gave us more than we ever expected: moments of joy, reflection, growth, and solidarity. From the colorful chaos of Kathmandu to the peace of the jungle, from laughter-filled classrooms to sacred temples, this Quest showed us how much beauty there is in connection.
And that’s what we’re really building at United Planet — a more united, compassionate world, one relationship at a time.
ABOUT UNITED PLANET
United Planet is a non-profit organization with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time. Established in 2001, United Planet offers volunteer abroad, virtual internships, internships abroad, gap year volunteering, and global virtual exchange in more than 40 countries.
