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| | In July, we were excited to have Nishtha Rajbhandari join USEF-N as our new Sr. Program Officer. In this position, Nishtha has primary responsibility for the administration of our various Fulbright programs in Nepal. She comes to the job with substantial relevant experience in the education sector in Nepal and a personal familiarity with higher education in the U.S. having completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Nebraska. This past month, she’s been busy meeting grantees, providing pre-departure and in-country orientation sessions, conducting Fulbright outreach, and managing our ongoing grants. Please join us in welcoming Nishtha to the job. |
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| | Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Short-Term Program (DAST) Grantee Natasha Agrawal | On July 15th, USEF-N had the pleasure of welcoming Fulbright DAST grantee Natasha Agrawal to Nepal. Natasha is hosted by Gurukul Academy in Dhangadi, where she is collaborating with the school to enhance literacy strategies. Her focus areas include English reading and writing, phonics, comprehension skills, and critical thinking. |
|  | | | Fulbright Student Researchers and Scholars | On July 16th, USEF-N conducted an in-country orientation for the 2024-2025 U.S. Student Researchers and Scholars. The student researchers included Mika Ulmet, who is working with Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research, and Development; Ava Francis-Hall, hosted by the National Kidney Center; Elizabeth Taber, collaborating with Tribhuvan University and Rural Reconstruction Nepal in collaboration with Sustainable Development Nepal; Ronan Wallace, hosted by the Kagbeni Inhabitants Resettlement and Conservation Committee; and Ashira Weinreich, who is working with Tribhuvan University, Department of Botany, Chumnubri Rural Municipality in Gorkha, Little Sisters Fund, and Manaslu Conservation Area. Dr. Andrew G. Hope, a research scholar from Kansas State University, is being hosted by Tribhuvan University's Institute of Forestry. We wish everyone success as they start their programs in Nepal. |
|  | (L-R) Elizabeth Taber, Ava Francis-Hall, Ronan Wallace, Ashira Weinreich, Mika Ulmet, and Dr. Andrew G. Hope | Pre-departure Orientation for Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD) Grantee Prerana Paswan | On July 22nd, USEF-N conducted a pre-departure orientation for Prerana Paswan, a Global UGRAD grantee for the 2024-2025 academic year. Prerana, who is currently studying social science at National College, Kathmandu University, will be attending Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri as part of a semester-long exchange program. We extend special thanks to our UGRAD alumna Shristi Thapa (2023, Journalism at West Liberty University) for generously sharing her insights and experiences with Prerana. |
|  | (L-R) Prerana Paswan and Shristi Thapa | Fulbright Foreign Students Program (Master’s) Grantees | On July 26th, USEF-N hosted a pre-departure orientation for 2024-25 Fulbright Master's grantees Sujit Maharjan, Neha Gurung, and Biplav Shrestha. Sujit Maharjan will pursue Special Education and Teaching at the University of Kansas; Neha Gurung will study Law at American University in Washington, DC; and Biplav Shrestha will focus on Public Health at the University of Washington in Seattle. We thank our recent master’s alumnus Shishir Lamichhane (2023, Law at Georgetown University) for sharing his valuable experiences with the new grantees. |
|  | (L-R) Sujit Maharjan, Neha Gurung and Biplav Shrestha | Fulbright Program Information Session – Biratnagar | On July 31st, USEF-N hosted an information session on the Fulbright Program at the American Corner, Biratnagar. The event saw active participation from students, researchers, teachers, scholars, and institutions from Biratnagar, Itahari, and Dharan. Attendees received information about Fulbright grant opportunities available for Nepali citizens and institutions and had their questions addressed. |
|  | Fulbright Information Session, Biratnagar | | | Educational Advising Center |
| Pre-departure Orientation | USEF-N conducted a pre-departure session on July 25th for 67 students excited for the next chapter of their academic life in the U.S. Along with USEF-N advisers, guest speakers Anita Shrestha and Arpana Gyawali from Nabil Bank; Dr. Samrat Thapa from Lynchburg University; and Krishna Chaudhary from Pitzer College shared valuable insights to help the students in their transition to the U.S. |
|  | | | In July, the Get Inspired series featured speakers Asmod Khakurel, an Opportunity Funds alumnus and a graduate of Kenyon College, along with summer interns Julian Van Biema, Nolan Morris, and Ashraf Alam from Reinstalling Hope, a non-profit organization focusing on education in Nepal. The speakers shared their experiences with Reinstalling Hope and discussed their efforts to make a difference by supporting students teaching at schools and gurukuls across Nepal. |
|  | (Bottom L-R) Julian Van Biema, Nolan Morris, Asmod Khakurel, and Ashraf Alam | Opportunity Funds Program | Eleven students from our 2024 Opportunity Funds Program will begin their studies at U.S. institutions this fall. We extend our sincere gratitude to the U.S. institutions for their generous scholarships and transformative placements that have made this opportunity possible. |
|  | (L-R) Sagar Gupta, University of Chicago; Pawan Chaudhary, Dakota State University; Madhav Khanal, Rollins College; Abhinav Neupane, Fisk University; Diwash Patel, Fisk University; Dawa Dechen Lama, Snow College; Puja Khatri, Soka University of America; Aakriti Khapung Limbu,Soka University of America; Bhuwan Bhandari, Colby College; Dijesh Shrestha, Dakota State University; and Samip Paudel, Vassar College |
| | | From July 31st to August 2nd, EducationUSA Advisers visited schools in Biratnagar, Itahari, Dharan, and Sukuna to meet with students interested in learning about the application process for higher education in the U.S. They also held a special session at the American Corner in Biratnagar for students from the surrounding area. In total, advisers reached out to 697 students. Schools visited during the outreach program included: Arniko College, Biratnagar; Bishnu Memorial Secondary School; Depot Secondary School; Orchid College Biratnagar; Sagarmatha College Biratnagar; Sri Public High School; Sukuna Multiple Campus; Vishwa Adarsha College Management; and Vishwa Adarsha College Science. USEF-N would like to thank the administrators from all of these schools for their assistance in facilitating the meetings, and staff of the American Corner Biratnagar for helping to organize the Biratnagar visit. |
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Articles by and Featuring our Alumni |
| Mustang farmer shows what is possible despite governmentArticle by Kunda Dixit in Nepali Times
Europe is the new destination for Nepali migrant workersArticle by Bhrikuti Rai in Nepali Times |
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Opportunities and EventsAugust 2024 |
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USEF-Nepal / Fulbright Commission / EducationUSA Advising Center |
| Aakriti Marg, Maharajgunj, 44600, Kathmandu |
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