Monika Bebi

When I first heard of volunteering programs where you can teach English at Buddhist monasteries I thought “Yes, this is what I’m going to do, since I love teaching English and I’m very interested in learning about Buddhist culture”! But I also somehow in the back of my mind had this picture of a very mystic place when thinking of Buddhist monasteries. Coming to Nepal and volunteering with VIN, which was the company I chose because they are actually a Nepali founded organization and they also offer the most affordable rates for their programs, has changed my whole attitude and life I guess. During my time teaching at a Buddhist nunnery I realized that even Buddhist nuns or monks, after all are just humans, and often times the major aspect why they are staying at a monastery is so they can get education.

So during my 5 weeks stay at the nunnery, I gained both, a real insight into Buddhist philosophy and also a real insight into 21st century monastery life in the Kathmandu valley J It’s so great! Even though starting off was a little difficult since at the nunnery they didn’t have a curriculum for English classes and that meant that everyday was different and you never knew what to expect tomorrow. It was also tiring to always be the one who had to go and gather any kind of information since they would never come to you….. But I adjusted quickly and became really attached to all of the nuns, young and old and I also learned a lot about myself. So now I feel ready for all the future challenges life holds for me and above all, I found VIN who I definitely hope to be able to support in the future as well with any kind of support I might be able to give. I have simply fallen in love with Nepal and VIN and the nuns and and and…. without seeing it in a romanticized way!