UC Davis-Nepal Learning Exchange: 2025/26

Hands-On Institute has been partnering with the University of California, Davis on the UC Davis Nepal Learning Exchange Program since 2017. The program has been conducted every alternate year, and this year marks our fourth cohort. To date, more than 140 students from around the world, including Nepal, have participated in this transformative learning experience. Learn more about the program on the official UC Davis website:

UC Davis-Nepal Learning Exchange starts with an orientation during Fall 2025 where the participants are introduced to each other and to the programme. Here, learning and group interaction expectations are set and teams formed. This will be followed by four thematic sessions focusing on community development, social inclusion and other relevant issues. Each team will also work on an assignment that will be presented to the group at the end of the orientation.

The core of the program is UC Davis-Nepal Learning Exchange with students from UC Davis held in Kathmandu and Machapuchree Village in Kaski. During this period, Nepali and UC Davis participants will work in teams on field research projects issues related to education, migration, youth and health and other topics. Upon returning from the field the closing sessions will focus on team presentations, reflection and feedback.

This program involves teamwork, ongoing reflections on learning, community interaction and observation. Participants are expected to commit their full participation in the programme. This is not a luxury program or a leisure holiday. It will seriously challenge the way of life we were living, and our perspectives and relationships towards the world will strike a new balance.