Newsletter Fall 2026

Message from USEF-Nepal

As we approach the coming holiday season, our thoughts are with those who suffered losses during the recent floods. Our condolences to the families and communities that were affected. We wish them strength and stand in unity with the government and broader NGO community in supporting recovery efforts and sustainable solutions.

During the coming months, USEF-Nepal will support two initiatives addressing disaster mitigation in mountain areas of Nepal. This fall, Nepal Fulbright alumnus Dr. Alton Byers (US Scholar, 2000 and US Specialist, 2016) will lead an exchange to help residents in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area establish a model of mountain hazard mitigation and community preparedness.

Next spring, Fulbright Nepal alumna Dr. Shana Scogin (US Student Researcher, 2022), currently Assistant Professor at the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, will visit Nepal to collate evidence on multi-hazard risk, warning, and response systems; develop an archive of Bhotekoshi-Trisuli flood materials; and lead a workshop with training modules during which experts from the U.S. and Nepal can learn from each other.

We anticipate that the learning from both initiatives will prove useful not only to Nepal, but to high mountain communities around the world.

To all our readers, we wish you and your families the very best for Dasain, Tihar, and the year ahead.

Freedom 250

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. As part of Freedom 250, a U.S. presidential initiative, Fulbright and Education USA are organizing or supporting activities around the globe that highlight American culture, innovation, and experience. This newsletter leads with Freedom 250 activities conducted by USEF-Nepal during the past quarter.

In September, U.S. Specialist Professor Irena Vodenska of Boston University Metropolitan College participated in a series of academic and public engagements hosted by Sakshyam Research Institute. Her visit concluded with a public program titled “Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Puzzle: Finance and Beyond.” Her keynote address explored the U.S. entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem and the role of finance, universities, investors, networks, and other institutions in supporting enterprise. A panel discussion moderated by Amod Niraula of FinSecure and featuring Sushant Rijal of Otharo Incubation Program, Dr. Manish Thapa of Global Equity Fund Limited, and Professor Vodenska and then turned the focus to Nepal,. The exchange offered a comparative look at the U.S. and Nepal entrepreneurial landscapes while examining opportunities to strengthen finance, incubation, investment, and enterprise growth in Nepal.

As part of Freedom250, Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Sarah Sweirz introduced students at Jana Uddhar Secondary School in Buddhanilkantha to the geographic diversity and natural beauty of the United States through a lesson on U.S. National Parks.

During Social Studies classes for Grades 4, 5, and 6, Sarah used the National Park Service’s interactive map to take students on a virtual journey across the United States. Students explored the locations and distinctive landscapes of parks such as Arches National Park and Everglades National Park while learning about activities American families commonly enjoy in the parks, such as hiking, sightseeing, and picnicking.

To mark the occasion, each student received a sticker representing a different U.S. National Park, along with a small taste of the United States: American chocolates.

EducationUSA Nepal’s America 250 Get Inspired series featured Vikram Upadhyay, who traced his journey from Nepal to the University of Chicago, research at the European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN), and a career in education, nonprofit leadership, and U.S. college admissions. Upadhyay encouraged students to let curiosity and genuine interests guide their academic choices rather than simply build credentials for college applications. He also shared practical advice on choosing meaningful extracurricular activities, developing an authentic personal narrative, and navigating U.S. admissions. His story offered students a firsthand perspective on how a U.S. education can open pathways to research, professional growth, and opportunities across borders.

On August 27, EducationUSA Nepal hosted Ashley McQueary, International Field Recruiter at the University of Kentucky, for a session exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming higher education and the skills students will need in an increasingly AI-driven world. Students learned about the responsible use of AI in college, emerging academic and career opportunities, and the continued importance of critical thinking, creativity, communication, and adaptability. McQueary also highlighted how the University of Kentucky is integrating AI into academics and research, including interdisciplinary initiatives such as CATS AI, which brings together researchers from different fields to develop practical AI solutions.

More than 1,100 Nepali students attended EducationUSA University Fairs in Kathmandu on September 5 and Pokhara on September 8. The fairs gave the students an opportunity to interact with representatives from 34 American colleges and universities, learning about academic programs, admissions, financial aid opportunities, and campus life. In turn, the representatives gained insights into Nepali students’ academic interests and priorities as they consider higher education in the United States.

Fulbright

USEF-Nepal marked the Fulbright Program’s 80th anniversary on September 30 with a reception that also celebrated 250 years of the United States. The event brought together U.S. and Nepali Fulbright grantees and alumni, university and partner representatives, and government officials from Nepal and the United States.

U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission and USEF-Nepal Honorary Board Chair Scott Urbom addressed the gathering, highlighting the role of educational exchange in strengthening connections between the United States and Nepal. Fulbright alumni from both Nepal and the U.S. then shared reflections on how their exchanges shaped their academic and professional journeys and built lasting relationships across the two countries.

Following his Pre-Departure Orientation at USEF-Nepal on July 14, Dr. Prashant Bhatt departed for the United States to begin his 2026–27 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship at Emory University. Dr. Bhatt is pursuing professional development in Public Health Policy and Management, gaining exposure to U.S. approaches and exchanging perspectives with a global network of mid-career professionals. Upon returning to Nepal next summer, he plans to apply his fellowship experience toward strengthening ENT services in Nepal’s Far West.

Three Nepali academics are heading to the United States as 2026–27 Fulbright Visiting Scholars: Dr. Namraj Dhami of Pokhara University will conduct research in molecular biology at Cornell University; Dr. Binod Baniya of Tribhuvan University will advance his work in environmental sciences at Michigan State University; and Dr. Sunita Sanjyal of the Nepal Agricultural Research Council will pursue research in forage agronomy at New Mexico State University.

Ahead of their Fulbright grants, USEF-Nepal hosted an orientation for the scholars on August 28. Fulbright alumnus Dr. Meghnath Dhimal joined the session to share insights from his own U.S. experience and offer practical guidance on making the most of the academic and cultural exchange.

Fulbright Master’s students Tika Thapa, Shirish Maharjan, and Dipika Gajurel are settling into their first semester in the United States, experiencing new approaches to learning while building connections on and beyond their campuses.

Tika Thapa began his Fulbright journey with a four-week Pre-Academic Program at Syracuse University, where he presented research on balancing seismic safety and building construction costs in Nepal. The experience prepared him for his M.S. in Civil, Environmental, and Sustainable Engineering at Arizona State University, where he is adjusting to graduate-level academics and gaining confidence in classroom discussions and research.

At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Shirish Maharjan, who is pursuing a Master of City and Regional Planning, has been struck by a classroom culture that encourages questions, debate, and exploration. As an architect-planner, she is viewing American cities through a Nepali lens, reflecting on how communities in both countries approach urban growth, infrastructure, and resilience.

Dipika Gajurel, meanwhile, is pursuing an LL.M. at the University of Michigan Law School, where her 21-member cohort represents 14 countries. She appreciates the supportive faculty, diverse classroom perspectives, and a learning environment different from Nepal. Her first impressions have extended beyond academics: a visit to Michigan Stadium for an American football game offered a memorable introduction to U.S. college sports and campus culture.

This fall, Fulbright Nepal welcomed four U.S. Scholars and nine U.S. Student Researchers to Nepal. Working with universities, research institutions, and community organizations, the grantees are pursuing teaching and research across fields ranging from education, public health, and agriculture to conservation, linguistics, and food systems.

Fulbright U.S. Scholars

• Dr. Ram Acharya, New Mexico State University (hosted by Nepal Agricultural Research Council), will examine Nepal’s agricultural trade potential using a structural gravity approach.
• Dr. Deepak Basyal, Coastal Carolina University (hosted by Kathmandu University) will examine the integration of culture, inquiry, technology, and collaboration in Nepali classrooms.
• Prof. Jill Baumgartner, McGill University (hosted by ICIMOD), will study household heating transitions and their implications for air quality and climate in the Himalaya.
• Prof. Krishna Bista, Morgan State University (hosted by Tribhuvan University), will focus on strengthening academic research and writing through SI and U.S.–Nepal higher education collaboration.

Fulbright U.S. Student Researchers

• John Devlin (hosted by Greenhood Nepal) will document community-led conservation efforts.
• Sebastian DiPirro, Vassar College (hosted by ICIMOD), will conduct research in ecological protection and community wellbeing in the Annapurna region.
• Saniya Gayake, University of Texas (hosted by Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences), will focus on high-risk antenatal care.
• Ayesha Khan, CUNY City College (hosted by Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences), will conduct research on dengue prevention.
• Reshma Niraula, Cornell University (hosted by Tribhuvan University), will investigate the relationship between bilingualism and cognitive aging.
• Yasmine Pirlepesova, Rhodes College (hosted by SIT Study Abroad and Kopila Valley School), will focus on place-based learning and food systems.
• Dirk Schmidt, University of Washington (hosted by Rangjung Yeshe Institute), will examine Tibetan language change in South Asian settlements.
• Tara Tekkey, University of Toledo (hosted by Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences), will study air pollution exposure and birth outcomes.
• Madison Wilson (hosted by Tribhuvan University and ICIMOD) will explore economic development in conservation areas.

Arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport for the English Teaching Assistant orientation, it was my very first time in Nepal, and I did not know quite what to expect for the year ahead of me. After having studied South and East Asian relations throughout college, I saw the fellowship as a unique opportunity to explore daily life in a country situated between the world powers of China and India. Teaching allowed me to act as more than just an observer of Nepali society. It gave me the opportunity to integrate into a local community and see life, culture, and policy from the ground up.

Nevertheless, transitioning rapidly from my previous job, which I completed just one week before packing up my life and moving across the world, I had little time to consider what this actually meant in daily practice. Naturally, I felt intimidated walking into school in my pink teacher uniform on the first day to find that neither my fellow teaching staff nor my students understood much English. I was suddenly a long way from corporate New York City, the life I had known just days before.

Despite all of this, sharing funny, sad, sweet, and triumphant stories alike with my friends and family back home, what they were most surprised by was how easy my transition to Nepal has been. In response, I credit the importance placed on community here, across geography, generation, and ethnic groups. My weekend plans are often quickly filled: exploring local streets with my co-ETA, attending cultural celebrations like Machindranath Jatra with my school principal, making TikToks with my co-teacher’s younger daughter, and sharing meals at my host family’s home, observing the dynamics of an expansive multigenerational household in real time.

Beyond these moments when the people around me have so generously welcomed me in, however, I have also seen meaningful displays of community in my everyday life.

In school, it took me some time to realize that one boy who seemed particularly slow to copy down sentences from the board was, in fact, not slow at all. Instead, every time I turned my back, he was secretly writing each note and exercise down twice: once in his own notebook and once in the notebook of the student with a developmental disability seated beside him, ensuring his classmate would still have a complete notebook to review at the end of each school day.

Sometimes these displays of community have been less sweet and actually deeply sad, as I saw in the aftermath of the recent floods. I had initially found out about the floods by walking into the Staff Room during one of my free periods on August 26 to find a number of my coworkers crying, frantically yelling in Nepali at a pace I could not follow, and holding each other. Moments later, one of them pulled up a video of the horrific natural disaster on their phone to show me what had happened. The weeks following the floods, there was a heaviness throughout the school, and the teachers often discussed over our daily tea how they could not sleep, kept awake by the thoughts of the lives lost and communities devastated. They mourned for their fellow Nepalis like they were close family, and I saw the same across the city as people came together in every way they could think of to aid in the recovery efforts.

I now understand why in Nepal we are taught to greet every older woman as didi, or “older sister,” and younger man as bhai, or “younger brother.” These terms are more than forms of address. They reflect the Nepali way of relating to others that I have come to experience firsthand. Looking ahead to when I return to America in a few months, I will not only return with a better grasp of the local perspective on domestic and international politics, as I had hoped for, but also with a much deeper understanding of what it means to live in community with others and how to show up for and reach out to the people in my life.

EducationUSA

EducationUSA Nepal held three Pre-Departure Orientation sessions on June 25, July 16, and July 30 for students beginning their studies in the United States in Fall 2026.

Guest speakers Dr. Samrat Thapa, Aashish Phayel, Abhishek Soni, Laxman Bista, and Nischal Bhandari shared firsthand insights on academics and the U.S. classroom environment, cultural adjustment, campus life, and managing finances. The sessions also gave students an opportunity to ask questions and gain practical guidance as they prepared for the transition to studying and living in the United States.

In August, EducationUSA Nepal marked an important milestone for ten students from the 2026 Opportunity Funds Program as they departed Nepal to begin their undergraduate studies at colleges and universities across the United States.Throughout the application cycle, EducationUSA advisers worked closely with the students as they navigated their U.S. college search, application, and admissions process. They are now pursuing their undergraduate education at the following U.S. institutions:

• Manish Adhikari – Haverford College
• Prasiddha Thapa – Howard University
• Amrit Raj Pokhrel – Howard University (not pictured)
• Sirjan Ghimire – Howard University
• Prajwal B. K. – Ithaca College
• Rakshit Poudel – Princeton University
• Saksham Khadka Chhetri – Snow College
• Bipin Kandel – Snow College
• Sabin Bashyal – Snow College
• Manushi Neupane – Yale University

EducationUSA Nepal participated in the Graduate School Fair at Thames International College Kathmandu on August 18, where advisers interacted with students interested in pursuing graduate studies in the United States. Students received information about U.S. higher education opportunities and guidance on the steps involved in researching and applying to graduate programs. In recognition of America 250, the outreach also highlighted American higher education’s traditions of academic excellence, innovation, and research, while helping students explore opportunities that align with their academic and professional goals.

EducationUSA Nepal advisers met with 429 students across seven colleges during a three-day outreach program in Biratnagar, Dharan, and Itahari from September 22–24. The advisers met with high school and undergraduate students to provide guidance on U.S. higher education opportunities, the college application process, financial considerations, and available advising resources. The sessions gave students direct access to advisers to ask questions and better understand the steps involved in studying in the United States.

On September 17, EducationUSA and Fulbright Nepal participated in a networking workshop organized by the U.S. Embassy’s Regional English Language Office (RELO), connecting with university leaders, faculty members, and school teachers. Through a series of brief, interactive conversations, participants had the opportunity to meet USEF-Nepal representatives, learn about EducationUSA and Fulbright opportunities, ask questions, and discuss potential areas for collaboration. The workshop also welcomed David Fay, the new Regional English Language Officer, and created a space for educators and organizations to build connections around U.S.-Nepal educational exchange.

Articles by and Featuring our Alumni

Opportunities and Events

EducationUSA

Friday Group Advising

October 9, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Venue: USEF-Nepal

Ask an Adviser

October 13, 2026 at 2 p.m.

Venue: USEF-Nepal

Scholarship 101 Graduate

October 14, 2026 at 11 a.m.

Platform: Zoom

Effective Communication with Admissions Offices

October 15, 2026 at 2 p.m.

Platform: Zoom

Scholarship 101 Undergraduate

October 28, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Platform: Zoom

Fulbright

Fulbright Specialist Program – Application open for 2027/28 projects
Apply at usefnepal.org
Apply by March 2027

Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program – Application Open
Apply at usefnepal.org
Apply by November 15, 2026

Fulbright – National Archives Heritage Science Fellowship – Application Open
Apply at usefnepal.org
Apply by November 15, 2026

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