"I am so grateful for having had the opportunity to get to know the people, the culture, and the history of Nepal"
– I had always had the idea that I wanted to travel and learn more about cultures in other parts of the world after high school. I just hadn't decided where to go or what the trip would entail.
This text is translated using AI.
View the original article here.Would you like to learn more about how conflicts arise between individuals, groups, or nations – and how to work with prevention, peace, and reconciliation? In Pokhara, Nepal, Kulturstudier offers the exciting study program peace and conflict studies.
Here, Iris (20) shares her experiences studying in the beautiful and complex country:
– When I heard about peace and conflict studies in Nepal from a friend, I felt it was a perfect fit, with both academic content and travel combined.
– I said I would travel with her, and the next day we had both applied to study in Nepal.
I knew very little about the country before I went, but afterwards I am so grateful that I got to know the people, the culture, and the history of both the city of Pokhara and the country of Nepal.
In Nepal, there is much to explore beyond the cozy university town of Pokhara. Nearby, you'll find a number of small, charming villages, a bit further away national parks and the city of Kathmandu await, and right outside your door, you can embark on amazing mountain hikes:
– During the ten weeks we lived in Pokhara, we went on several excursions, some planned through Kulturstudier and others arranged by the students.
It was the first excursion organized by Kulturstudier that made the most impression. We visited the small village of Lwang, which is situated on the mountainside with its many lovely little houses and various animals.
– Here we got to experience traditional Nepalese dance, and we were invited to join a barbecue with the villagers. I chose to stay an extra night because I felt so well taken care of by the family we stayed with.
I felt that I got a much better impression of how most people live in Nepal, than what is possible from just staying in the study town of Pokhara.
In Lwang, we also got to know other young people from Nepal, who used to visit the mountain villages on weekend trips. It was also in Lwang where I saw Nepal's famous white mountain peaks for the first time.
– I would definitely recommend setting aside at least a weekend, or preferably five full days for a mountain hike. We went to Annapurna Base Camp during the reading week, a week in the middle of the semester when there are no lectures.
Annapurna is one of the 8000-meter peaks, and the base camp is situated at just over 4000 meters.
I hadn't done many mountain hikes before, and was very grateful to have joined this trip, especially since I was in a country like Nepal, which is known for its beautiful mountain landscapes.
Read more about Annapurna
- Nepal and Sri Lanka
- Student blog
Vår reise til praktfulle Annapurna basecamp
– It was a natural experience that cannot be compared to anything I've experienced before.
We slept in different cabins along the way, and met lots of exciting people on the journey – including the incredible Sherpas who carry large bags up the mountain, sometimes just in slippers, while we huffed and puffed our way up.
You can also go on shorter hikes, such as to the Australian Basecamp, which can be done in just one day while you enjoy the sight of the beautiful mountains.
– I would also recommend future students to try rafting and take a trip to Chitwan National Park, where you can go on a safari. It's really worth a trip to get a break from the city and not least to see various exotic animals.
In addition, I would definitely recommend traveling further after the lectures are finished! Some of us traveled to India to take the exam.
Afterwards, I went backpacking in Sri Lanka and then in Vietnam – my mom and dad wondered if I was ever going to come home.
From the autumn of 2025, all students in peace and conflict studies will have a two-week stay on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka included in the tuition fee during the exam period.
We organize accommodation right by the beach, where you can enjoy peaceful and scenic experiences while working on your individual exam and planning your further travel route.
– Peace and conflict as a theme was incredibly exciting.
My time in Nepal definitely contributed to sparking an interest in me to learn more about the international community and the political worldview.
I traveled to Nepal without really knowing what, or if, I would study next fall, but I came home and applied for a bachelor's in international studies, which is the program I am enrolled in now.
The study has a consistent focus on connecting theories from textbooks and lectures with practical experiences from the local area.
Cultural studies have a wide network of contacts that enables students to become more familiar with organizations, individuals, and institutions working on the issues taught in the program:
– I also think that Cultural Studies facilitated well for us to have the opportunity to get in touch with various organizations, and to contribute to volunteer work ourselves. Among other things, we visited an elementary school and talked with the children about the taboo surrounding menstruation.
– My stay in Nepal opened my eyes to cultural differences for better and for worse. I learned an incredible amount about women's rights in Southeast Asia, especially in Nepal, but also in the surrounding countries.
I had heard a bit about the situation of women in the region beforehand, but it was something completely different to speak with women who shared their own stories. It made a very strong impression on me, and I wouldn't have wanted to miss it.
– I would really recommend everyone to take a semester in Nepal. You make friends for life and memories you will never forget.
It can feel a bit scary before one travels – but suddenly you're there, and eventually Pokhara will feel like home to you too!
