An incredible opportunity to pass on what you know for the benefit of future generations and to learn from the local population about their culture and history. NQ has designed a program to benefit the children of the village of Than Gaon and created an excellent learning opportunity for the visiting volunteers.

Live and teach English in a small village school at NQ and support the development of the children in this area.

The service component is reinforced with learning opportunities for the volunteers. Nature Quest organizes daily yoga classes, lectures on the educational system of India and different forms of traditional healing for visiting volunteers.

This program focuses equally on the twin goals of service and learning. Visitors volunteer at the local village school to teach English. In addition to teaching English, students help further a holistic learning environment for the children through one-on-one classes for weaker students, organization and implementation of art, sports and other stimulation activities.

No prior teaching experience required. Our local coordinator and the school staff will be at hand to provide guidance and support.

Daily yoga classes held by a professional trainer.
Lectures on the educational system of India; state of education after 50 years of independence; gender inequalities in literacy; background on government, state and grassroots level initiatives in the field of education.
Introduction to Ayurveda and principles of Naturopathy. Workshops on home remedies for common illnesses and introduction to the NQ medicinal garden.
Cooking classes based on holistic philosophy for healthy eating.

No prior teaching experience or other training required. This program is open to all levels of students and professionals who want to volunteer and learn about India. Participants must be over 20 years of age easygoing and flexible. They must enjoy working with children and be able to live in the mountains. Volunteers must be open minded, willing to take initiative to contribute and learn from their environment and be respectful to their surroundings.

Nature Quest staff will meet you on arrival at New Delhi International Airport. From here, you will be transported to a Hotel/Guest house for overnight stay. Nature Quest will arrange all intercity transportation, accommodation's, meal's and provide orientation on issues around diet, safety, transport, currency conversion, communication, travel, norms and culture. Our coordinators will hold weekly meetings to monitor and evaluate the program and will provide 24-hour emergency support.

In New Delhi, students stay at a local guesthouse /Hotel when they arrive. While in Than Gaon Village, accommodation is provided in simple cottages built at the Nature Quest site. Please note that the accommodation does not include facilities like air conditioning and Internet. The food provided in the program is traditional Indian vegetarian cuisine.

You will be assigned a mobile phone (with free unlimited incoming calls) for the duration of your stay. All-important phone numbers will have been pre-programmed along with a limited amount of airtime for emergencies. To make calls over and above the airtime included, you can purchase pre-paid phone cards locally.

You will be required to sign a $100 release form in order to receive the cell phone. You will not be charged the $100 fee if the phone is returned in good working order to your program coordinator.

Pre-departure orientation and support
Airport pickup on arrival
Overnight stay in a New Delhi Guest house
Transport from New Delhi to the rural school
Yoga classes, lectures etc
Volunteer work support and monitoring
Health and Evacuation Insurance
Cultural adjustment, health and safety orientation
Shared accommodation with three meals a day
Weekly monitoring of the program
24 Hour emergency support
Cellular phone for incoming calls and emergency use

Daily local transportation around Dehradun during your free time. Proper guidance will be provided to participants on how to use local transport systems.
Air ticket to New Delhi, India, visa fees and any travel insurance will be the responsibility of the student.
Weekend and overnight excursions outside the program activities will have to be paid by the students directly.