We arrived at Milla’s Guesthouse at roughly 8:30 on Thursday night. It was very dark and pouring rain out so we didn’t get to see much of the town that day. It wasn’t until the next morning that we really got to take a look at our surroundings, and it is an understatement to say that I was in awe every time I looked out the window. Every single home was greatly impacted by the earthquake in 2015. I don’t think I realized that until we got here. Hearing stories on the news about how tragic the disaster was and looking at pictures of it is nothing compared to roaming the streets of Bhaktapur. Everywhere you look you see rubble, buildings that have completely collapsed, and people trying to make a home of what remains. To think that the people here have been living under these conditions for over a year is absolutely devastating. On a completely different note, it is selfishly comforting to know that we are making the most of our time here and helping out in any way possible. 

Teaching at the school is nothing like I thought it would be. I was shocked by how open and welcoming everyone was as it is CGA’s first year with them. At first, the students were weary about having complete strangers invade their classrooms and teaching in ways they had never seen before, but by the start of day two, they eagerly awaited our arrival and greeted us with smiles on their faces, ready for the day we had ahead of us. So far, I’ve had the pleasure to teach classes 5 and 6. Having a different class every day and teaching new students is extremely nerve racking, but the nerves fly out the door the moment the laughter ensues. When you are up at the front of the classroom clucking like a chicken to get their attention, or when you say something completely ridiculous to try to prove a point in your lesson. Moments like those have completely changed my attitude towards teaching and have made me look forward to every last minute we will get to spend  with them.  

Truly connecting with the students, making them laugh, and knowing that they understand the material I am teaching is an indescribable feeling that I have become addicted to. All of the hard work and preparation leading up to the trip is definitely paying off, and I am so grateful to be a part of it.