Nepal Travel, Funded by the Fulbright DAST Program

Curious about the Fulbright DAST (Distinguished Awards in Teaching) Short-Term Program grant that fully funds teachers for 2 to 6 weeks of educational travel? Let’s hear the experience of Natasha Agrawal, who collaborated with a school in Nepal through this opportunity!

Teaching Traveling: Natasha, tell us a bit about your background.

Natasha: I’ve been an elementary educator in New Jersey for over 20 years. I’m always looking for new learning opportunities.

Teachers should always be learners first. It helps us keep in mind the learning process! I enjoy learning from teachers and classrooms around the world.  

TT: Very true. Tell us about your Fulbright DAST travel in Nepal.

N: I went to Dhangadhi, Nepal on a Fulbright DAST (Distinguished Awards in Teaching) for 6 weeks to train elementary teachers of a private school there. It was a wonderful experience!

The school successfully blends traditional values and modern best practices to educate the whole child with a strong sense of identity. You can see from my photos here what a remarkable time it was.

My schedule included workshops for teachers, demo lessons in classrooms ranging from preschool to grade 7, observing teachers and providing feedback, collaborating and co-teaching with the teachers. I had the opportunity to really connect with the other educators. 

Besides this, I was able to be part of several cultural celebrations: Raksha Bandhan and Janei Purnima (for which the students created handmade products for sale). We also had a party for Teej (when all the women wear red saris, sing and dance!), and a wonderful homemade dinner for the celebration of Shrawan. 

TT: Amazing! How do you find your travel opportunities?

I have subscribed to various educational websites through which I get updates of current opportunities. There are always applications opening for teacher travel opportunities, especially between September and January. 

TT: How did you find the money to fund your Nepal travel?

N: All my travel has been through grants, mostly through the State Department or NEH grants. With the Fulbright DAST, accepted teachers are able to travel for 2 to 6 weeks with most expenses covered by a stipend, including roundtrip flights, housing, and food.

TT: Wow! Tell us one moment from your travels that was particularly powerful.

N: So many moments, but here’s one:

In the 3rd classroom the students were learning about money, and role playing cash transactions in pairs. It was a very exciting activity for the students so the noise level kept going higher and higher! I asked my collaborating teacher to help me control the noise. 

She just said a few words quietly to the students. Time to become “Buddha” she ordered. (Nepal is the land of Buddha.)

Immediately, the noisy students quietened down and went into a seated meditation with closed eyes. 

It was absolute silence for 10 minutes… after which they were asked to open their eyes and quietly wrap up the lesson. Their focus and calmness just blew me away! 

TT: What a story! How have your travels impacted you as a teacher and a person?

N: I can see how culture defines education in different contexts. For example, “becoming Buddha” in Nepal is part of the culture. 

I can also see how beneficial it would be to be connected to a school such as this one in Nepal. Our students in NJ have little knowledge of SouthEast Asia. Global connections can bring the world into our classroom.  

I feel very fortunate to have traveled and experienced different cultures. I love the way we can all connect as humans; regardless of culture, nationality or religion.  

TT: What advice do you have for teachers who are dreaming of travel?

N: Go for it! Travel is the best teacher! There are many teacher travel grants out there.

TT: Thanks so much, Natasha! Readers, what questions or comments do you have?