Field-Based Global Learning
The StoryBridge Global Learning Program
Small, faculty-led programs combining cultural immersion, storytelling, reflection, and relationship-based learning with local partners across Central Nepal.
Now developing university partnerships for 2027 and beyond.
Program Overview
The StoryBridge Global Learning Program is a small, faculty-led field experience connecting academic learning with meaningful cultural engagement in Central Nepal.
Rather than operating as a conventional study tour, StoryBridge introduces students to Nepal through sustained local relationships, carefully sequenced learning environments, field observation, storytelling, agriculture, education, heritage, and structured reflection.
Participating faculty work with the StoryBridge team to connect the experience to course goals, assignments, academic outcomes, and student preparation before, during, and after travel.
More Than a Conventional Study Tour
StoryBridge combines academic purpose with small-group travel, local guidance, cultural humility, and meaningful time in place.
Small-Cohort Learning
Limited group size supports closer faculty guidance, thoughtful reflection, stronger relationships, and greater flexibility in the field.
Relationship-Based Access
Students learn with Nepali educators, agricultural partners, schools, guides, and local coordinators rather than observing from a distance.
Academic Integration
Faculty shape readings, assignments, reflection, documentation, and assessment so travel becomes an intentional part of the curriculum.
A Progressive Route Through Central Nepal
Each stage contributes a different academic and experiential layer—from cultural orientation and Himalayan landscape to community partnership, agricultural learning, river-based reflection, and final synthesis.
Academic Focus Areas
Faculty may adapt assignments, readings, reflection prompts, and final projects to align the program with institutional and course objectives.
Learning Outcomes
Core Learning Components
StoryBridge brings cultural immersion, community exchange, agricultural learning, ethical storytelling, regional exploration, and guided reflection into one connected faculty-led experience.
Ethical Storytelling & Documentation
Students learn to observe, listen, document, and represent people and places responsibly through field journals, photography, interviews, short films, or faculty-approved media.
School & Cultural Exchange
As school calendars and local schedules allow, participants may engage with Nepali students and educators through conversational English, arts and media activities, shared learning, and structured cultural exchange.
Agriculture & Coffee Learning
Students explore coffee cultivation, food systems, seasonal practices, agricultural livelihoods, and connections among land, work, family, and community life.
Heritage, Religion & Place
Guided experiences introduce Nepal’s Hindu and Buddhist traditions, UNESCO heritage, sacred landscapes, architecture, and contemporary cultural life.
Reflection & Academic Synthesis
Faculty-led reflection connects field observations to course themes through journaling, discussion, presentations, essays, media review, and final projects.
Program Format
The core university model is a 12-day, faculty-led field experience for approximately 8–12 students with up to two faculty leaders.
Core Structure
- Arrival, orientation and cultural grounding in Kathmandu
- Himalayan landscape and reflective learning in Dhulikhel
- School, community, agriculture and coffee learning in Chautara–Irkhu
- Supported outdoor and river-based experience near Sukute
- Return to Kathmandu for final heritage learning and synthesis
A longer Maymester or intensive option may be developed selectively when additional academic depth, project time, or credit requirements make an extended format appropriate.
Where the Program Unfolds
Each location prepares participants for the next, creating a coherent progression rather than a collection of unrelated excursions.
Kathmandu
Cultural orientation, heritage learning, a cable-car excursion, Hindu and Buddhist sites, final reflection, another UNESCO experience, and departure preparation.
Dhulikhel
Himalayan landscape, cultural exploration, reflective learning, and a gradual transition from Nepal’s capital into the regional field experience.
Chautara–Irkhu
School partnership, community learning, agriculture, coffee education, storytelling, reflection, and sustained time with Nepali educators and local partners.
Sukute River
A supported outdoor and river-based experience offering space for group connection, environmental observation, and reflection before returning to Kathmandu.
Partners & Learning Sites
StoryBridge is built through ongoing relationships with Nepali educators, coordinators, agricultural partners, hospitality providers, guides, drivers, schools, and community leaders.
Shree Gyan Mandir Model Secondary School
In collaboration with Principal Mr. Punya Prasad Gajurel and the school leadership, groups may participate in English-language exchange, arts, storytelling, media, reflection, and shared learning with students and educators in Chautara.
New Araniko Coffee Farm Resort
The Chautara-area field base introduces participants to coffee cultivation, processing, roasting, food systems, agricultural livelihoods, and place-based learning with local partners.
Pashupati Boutique Hotel & Spa
Groups begin and conclude the program at the Kathmandu base, providing space for arrival, orientation, faculty preparation, rest, final reflection, and departure coordination.
Program Calendar
Programs are planned during Nepal’s more favorable periods for travel, field learning, and regional access.
- Winter: Mid-January through mid-March
- Maymester: Late April through mid-May
- Fall: Mid-October through mid-December
Exact dates, activities, agricultural components, and route rhythm are confirmed according to season, road conditions, institutional calendars, and academic goals.
StoryBridge Nepal does not currently schedule summer university programs during the principal monsoon period.
Faculty-Led Partnership Model
A faculty leader from the participating university provides academic leadership. StoryBridge supports the in-country route, local relationships, logistics, coordination, facilitation, and learning environment.
Participating faculty work with the StoryBridge team to:
- Align the program with course and institutional goals
- Define learning outcomes, assignments, and assessment
- Prepare students for ethical community engagement
- Guide student reflection and field documentation
- Connect travel with curriculum before and after Nepal
Beginning with an Adult Founding Year
Before welcoming university cohorts, StoryBridge Nepal is beginning with small adult founding journeys in 2026–2027. These early groups will help strengthen the route, pacing, accommodations, transportation, communication, activities, and participant experience.
This deliberate pilot stage allows the university model to grow from tested logistics, documented learning environments, established local relationships, and participant feedback rather than rapid expansion.
Partnership Opportunities
StoryBridge welcomes conversations with study-abroad offices, global education leaders, faculty members, department chairs, and interdisciplinary programs interested in small, ethical, relationship-based field learning in Nepal.
- Faculty-led short-term global learning programs
- Academic alignment across disciplines and course goals
- Storytelling, reflection, and field documentation
- Collaboration with local educators and agricultural partners
About StoryBridge Nepal
StoryBridge Nepal was created by artist, educator, and Program Director Kristina Applegate.
It builds upon nearly two decades of international storytelling, education, arts, and cultural-exchange work through Kids Share Workshops, established in 2008.
The Nepal institute represents a long-term evolution toward adult and faculty-led global learning rooted in local partnership, place, reflection, and ethical engagement.
Explore a University Partnership
StoryBridge welcomes conversations with faculty leaders, study-abroad offices, and institutional partners interested in developing a carefully supported field-learning program in Nepal.
Kristina Applegate
Founder & Program Director
info@kidsshareworkshops.com