Veterinary Medicine Support in Kathmandu, Nepal

This may be a confronting placement but also very rewarding.

• An established background in an affiliated field of study
• Participants are required to have received a rabies vaccination.
• A reference letter authorized by your university or the hospital or clinic you are presently working/studying at.

• Accommodation
• 2 meals p/day
• Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
• Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
• 1 day orientation
• Daily transportation to project
• In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
• Fundraising support
• University course credits (where applicable)
• Certificate of Completion

• Airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Tours, Souvenirs & spending money
• Lunch

Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.

A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). You must arrive between the hours 06:00 to 24:00 on Sunday.

If arriving outside the pickup times, you can book a private transfer or extra night for an additional fee.

Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).

From the airport to Kathmandu accommodation, it takes 45 minutes by taxi.

Monday to Friday

Please note: This first week of the program is mandatory culture week. 

8:00 AM – Breakfast at the program house.

9:00 AM – Travel to KAT, introduction to staff, and begin work.

12:30 PM – Lunch at KAT (traditional Nepali meals).

1:00 PM – Continue tasks and assist veterinarians.

3:00 PM – Wrap up and return to the program house.

Your daily tasks will vary depending on the needs of the shelter, and a supervisor will guide you throughout the experience to ensure you gain valuable skills and hands-on learning.

This immersive program is ideal for students passionate about animal care, veterinary medicine, and rescue work, offering real-world experience in a meaningful and impactful setting.

***This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.***

The weekends are always open for your leisure. The local team will assist you in organising additional travel plans with heaps of local knowledge. Shopping in Kathmandu is an experience all its own. Thamel, Kathmandu’s tourist hotspot, is where shoppers can find Nepalese, Tibetan and Indian artifacts, woodcarvings, handicraft and an assortments of unique clothing and apparel. There are also several malls where you can find fashionable clothing and grocery stores, offering everything from wine to breakfast cereals. There are numerous dining options available throughout the city, including Italian, Indian, Thai, Korean and Chinese in addition to a variety of local cuisine.

Additional Requirements

• An established background in an affiliated field of study
• Participants are required to have received a rabies vaccination.
• A reference letter authorized by your university or the hospital or clinic you are presently working/studying at.
• Proof of qualifications and CV/Resume and a copy of your passport sent by email to the local team at least four weeks before beginning the program
• Motivation letter including learning goals, expectations and specific placement requests from the participant
• Copies of certificates of qualifications and academic transcripts

Additional Equipment

Placement equipment

• Casual dress is appropriate for the program
• Laptop

Other equipment

        Clothing

• Modest clothing (covers knees and shoulders) for everyday life.
• Comfortable walking shoes, sandals, water shoes
• Sun hat, fleece sweater, windproof rain jacket (depending on weather)

Documents

• Passport
• Flight info, insurance, vouchers, visas, and vaccination certificates (with photocopies)

Health & Safety:

• Hand sanitizer, face masks (if required)
• First-aid kit (medications, sunscreen, insect repellent, rehydration tablets)

Essentials:

• Toiletries (shampoo, soap, etc.)
• Day pack, small travel towel, reusable water bottle
• Moneybelt locks for bags
• Personal entertainment (books, cards, music player)

For information on holidays and any programs affected, please see the following link: NP – Holidays – All Programs

Nepal is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich countries in the world.  Nepal first opened its borders to outsiders in the 1950s.  It is home to Mount Everest, the birthplace of Buddha, and an astonishingly beautiful landscape, ranging from the well-known peaks of the Himalaya to the low-lying regions of the Terai.

The Nepali people are as diverse at the geography, with over 70 languages or dialects and scores of traditional festivals celebrated throughout the year.

However, Nepal is also one of the most under-developed countries in the world, with low rates of literacy, high rates of poverty and a persistent gender imbalance. The government is frequently unable to provide adequate education and health facilities throughout the country and both urban and rural areas are forced to live without necessary resources to promote growth and development of their communities.

Nepal is a year round destination, and the cliate can vary between the North and South regions. The best overall times to visit are during spring and autumn (particually for trekking).

December to Febuary is winter, and it can get extremely cold in the mountains (down to sub zero). Summer in this region has a pleasent temperature but still bring some warmer clothing for the evenings. 

Summer in southern Nepal can get extremely hot (plus 40°C) in some areas. Winter temperatures in this area can range from 7°C to 23°C.

Kathmandu has a pleasent climate on average. The monsoon rains start from June to September in Nepal. 

The majority of Nepalis are either Hindus or Buddhists, but there are many other religions here too like Islam, Christianity, Jainism and Sikhism. You will find many temples and monasteries around Nepal. The right hand is used for important things such as passing money, eating and the giving of gifts. 

Nepalese people love their food and much of it has been influenced by Indian and Tibetan cultures. Nepali people have a lot of respect for elders and will call each other didi (“older sister”), bahini (“younger sister”), etc, even if they are not actually related. The family unit is very strong and having a close knit family is important for the local people. 

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IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.

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