Agriculture in Nepal: From the Plains to the Peaks - Spring Break

Program dates are tentative and subject to change

Hear from last year’s students! Read the story from CALS news service “A study abroad trip like no other”. about last year’s trip to Nepal!

This study abroad program is part of ISU’s Nepal Learning Lab, which is funded by the U.S. State Department.

The proposed study abroad program will offer firsthand knowledge about the everyday struggles of smallholder farmers, mostly women. Additionally, students will hear and learn the implications of climate change on Nepal's overall ecosystems and farming activities. Students will also get the opportunity to interact with representatives of development agencies and get familiar with programs and policies implemented to address issues concerning smallholder farming activities and climate change. The knowledge gained from the field visits and exposure to Nepal's socio-cultural, geographical, and ecological diversity will contribute to students’ personal and professional development.  

We will visit small villages and meet with indigenous farmers in two areas of Nepal. The first is the lowlands of Chitwan in the south, where we will also do a jungle safari. The second is in the mountain areas of Kaski in north, where we will also spend 4 days hiking to Mardi Himal base camp (watch a YouTube video). We will also explore Doha, Qatar during our flight layover.

3 credits Soc 4960 during spring semester

This program was last offered in 2024 and 2025.

Important Note Regarding Missing Classes
Please note that participation on some travel courses require you to be away from campus for some school days.  The College of Agriculture & Life Sciences tries to minimize the number of days missed for this purpose, but in some events, the inflexibility of the travel schedule prevents us from working completely within our breaks.  Should you choose to enroll in a travel course that requires missing some class(es) on campus, you will need to contact your instructor directly to inquire whether or not arrangements can be made to make up this class work and/or exams. The CALS Study Abroad office can provide you with a letter explaining the dates of the trip.  However, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor to determine the potential impact on your grade before signing up for a Study Abroad program. The instructor is responsible for determining the impact of any absence from class.