Study Abroad Graduate Programs
Study Abroad in Nepal
Namaste. A Nepalese greeting that means: The light within me bows to the light within you.
Goucher College offers an optional study abroad experience to graduate students in
the M.A. in Environmental Sustainability & Management (M.A.E.S.), M.A. in Cultural Sustainability (M.A.C.S.), and M.A. in Historic Preservation (M.A.H.P.) programs.
Why Do We Visit?
Nepal is a multiethnic and multicultural country, representing a fusion of Indo-Aryan and Tibeto-Mongolian culture. Nepal is also rich in biodiversity and is situated where two geologic plates are colliding to form the majestic Himalayas. Climate change is impacting Nepal through extreme weather, flooding, landslides, food shortages, and a rapidly changing ecosystem. As a result, significant spiritual, cultural, and heritage sites are under threat. The people and communities of Nepal are assessing and adapting in response to these changes.
What Is This ICA?
- “ICA” stands for intensive course abroad
- Counts as a 3-credit graduate elective course
- Led by Goucher faculty
- Designed for Goucher graduate students
When Is the Class?
- Offered during the January break (J-Term)
- Consists of pre-trip and post-trip work
- Students are in Nepal for 2 weeks during January 2025
Where Do We Visit?
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Patan (Kathmandu) is known for its rich cultural heritage and historical sites, while also striving to address sustainability and climate challenges in a rapidly growing urban environment.
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Chitwan, the ancestral home of the Tharu people, is renowned for its commitment to wildlife conservation, notably with its protected Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Ghandruk is celebrated for its traditional Gurung culture and its efforts to preserve the natural beauty of the Annapurna region through sustainable tourism, while also actively engaging in sustainable forestry practices and climate change resilience measures.
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Pokhara is recognized for its stunning natural scenery, particularly the serene Phewa Lake, and sustainability initiatives, which include sustainable tourism, forestry conservation, and climate adaptation and mitigation.
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Baktapur (Kathmandu) is famous for preserving its ancient arts, religious temples, cultural traditions, and architectural masterpieces in the face of challenging natural processes like earthquakes and climate change.
How Can You Participate?
- Open to Goucher College graduate students
- Costs include tuition + course fee + airfare
- Financial aid and scholarships are available for M.A.E.S., M.A.C.S., and M.A.H.P. graduate students
- Interested? Please contact Dr. Jenn da Rosa (jenn.darosa@goucher.edu), Amy Skillman (amy.skillman@goucher.edu), or Melanie Lytle (Melanie.Lytle@goucher.edu)