Welcome to Holyland Boarding School

Safety
Nepal is often in the news, usually for the wrong reasons. There is a Maoist guerilla group currently fighting the government, but they are predominantly confined to the mountains and the far ends of the country. There are no problems with Maoists in Atariya or Dangadhi. Staff members pick you up in Kathmandu and escort you on the bus to Atariya to keep you safe in transit.Nepal is a SAFE country to visit, despite government travel warnings. Foreigners are never harmed and the worse that can happen is a Maoist might extort $10 tax from you in the Himalayas and then give you a political lecture on the evils of the government.

Visas
The visa system in Nepal is a bit tricky if you stay as a tourist so it's best to look at this website - http://www.immi.gov.np/touristvisa.php - basically, you can stay for five months in a calendar year so you could stay in Nepal up to May 2006 if you wish. Don't stress about it, it becomes very simple when you get there - you get visas at the airport but make sure you have some US dollars on you to pay for it.

Health
Depending on what time of year you go, you might need some anti-malarial tablets. It is best to research this on the internet before coming. A first aid kit is also a necessity, with a course of antibiotics.It is a good idea not to drink tap water in Nepal, at least until you’ve been there a few months and your stomach is accustomed to it. You can always buy bottled water across the country but a good idea is to pick up a small water purifying kit (usually some drops) which works brilliantly and is very cheap.

Language
Most Nepalese speak good English, and especially at the school you will find yourself speaking English all day. However, it is very handy to learn some Nepaali, especially if you are travelling around.

A few lessons with a private tutor in Kathmandu (usually about $6 an hour) before you start at the school will make a world of difference to your time in Nepal.