The Where and What

Nepal & Bangladesh

I'm not really sure where to start writing. There's a sense of deja vu in my excitement, tinged with uncertainty, much like my first few attempts at blogging during the India trip. I suppose the most logical place to begin is an overview of where in the world I am going and what the heck I'll be doing over there.

So, this is the beginning of six months of travel. (Even just writing that gives me butterflies, I'm so flipping excited!) My trip essentially has two parts. I received a grant from the RI Foundation and an APEX Fellowship to study micro-finance, which will manifest in a month interning at Grameen Bank in Bangladesh and a month interning with EDWON/ADWAN* in Nepal. In September, I will begin a study abroad program with SIT, the part two of my travels. 

(EDWON is the American branch of the NGO, ADWAN is the Nepali branch)

Whoa! They look so tiny here! Nepal = Green, Bangladesh = Orange

I don't really know exactly how these experiences will entail, but here's my best attempt to summarize what I do know! 

Grameen Bank: GB is often referred to as the founding place of micro finance - seems like a pretty good place to get acquainted with real world micro fiannce, beyond the academic realm, right? My time at GB will hopefully add to my understanding of the theoretical perspective and introduce me to the many organizational components that make up such an NGO. I will be paired with a supervisor and will do a few village bank visits. Most of my time, I believe, will be working at the main office in Dhaka. 

EDWON/ADWAN: I am totally and utterly excited for this portion of the trip! So far, this NGO models several values that I believe are really important for successful operations. It seems to be truly run by the Nepal organization, while the American organization provides monetary support. My role will be to explore two components, their newly set-up cooperative village bank and the possibility of implementing an altered, and improved, micro finance program. Additionally, I will be following-up on other programs to witness their efficiency and effectiveness in order to help with grant writing. There will be village stays and lots of relationship building, which I'm looking forward to! I have been working with EDWON's director, Eva, and she has been incredibly resourceful in preparing me to live in Nepal and to work for EDWON/ADWAN. 

SIT: This portion seems like forever away! I'll be with a group and will be enrolled in classes. I'm nervous and pumped to be taking intensive Nepali (for three hours a day!!!). There will be an extended home stay, with several trips. At the end I will be conducting an Independent Study Project (ISP) on a topic of my choice! 

TK

Posted from Rhode Island