Dr. Baker Perry, former professor in the Department of Geography and Planning and senior research associate in App State’s Research Institute for Environment, Energy, & Economics, Dr. Ram Poudel, assistant professor in the Department of Sustainable Technology & the Built Environment, and Dr. Bhuwan Thapa, assistant professor in the Department of Geography and Planning led Honors College students to Mount Everest, Nepal, May 24 - June 12, 2024. In this study-abroad course, students met the Honors College international education requirement, which asks students to broaden their perspectives as they consider global interconnectedness through exploring other cultures, worldviews, and frames of reference. They also earned three semester hours of credits for HON 2515: Climate Change: Nepal Himalaya and three semester hours of credits for HON 3515: Society, Technology, and Climate Change. Dr. Perry explained,
Our 2024 Honors Nepal study abroad participants trekked through the heart of the Khumbu (Everest) region to Everest Base Camp and even climbed to 18,500 ft on Kala Pattar. This educational field experience provided students with an unparalleled opportunity to learn about climate change, water resources, natural hazards, and sustainable technology in one of the most important and dynamic regions on the planet.
Gracelyn Donahue majors in exercise science major with a minor in psychology entered the Honors College at App State in the Fall 2023 semester and plans to graduate in May 2027. About this study abroad coursework, she explained:
These two courses were outside of my subject matter. I think this was valuable because I got the chance to learn about new things that I probably never would have had the opportunity to learn about if not for this trip. I was way outside of my comfort zone and this reminded me that I can be successful with material that is not health sciences related. I believe that I learned to be more resourceful and in some discussions, I was even able to relate part of the subject matter to Exercise Science.
About the experience of living, traveling, and studying with the faculty leaders and other students on the trip, Donahue shared that she was “glad that our professors were from App State because they could provide more personal connections to the material that we could all relate to (such as comparing the Blue Ridge Mountains near App State to the Himalayas). I also felt fortunate that we had Dr. Perry who was experienced with trekking in Nepal, and Dr. Thapa (Indian) and Dr. Poudel (Nepali) who could help us navigate Nepali culture and better communicate with the locals.”
The Honors College international education requires students to
- Reflect on their interactions with individuals and communities from cultural backgrounds different from their own and explain how these cross-cultural experiences have supported their individual personal, academic, and/or professional growth.
Honors College student Nicole Tran is a political science major with a concentration in international & comparative politics and a minor in leadership studies who entered App State and the Honors College in the fall semester of 2023 and plans to graduate in May of 2026. Tran serves as App State’s Student Government Association (SGA) president for the 2025-2026 school year and participated in the HON faculty-led study abroad to Nepal in the summer of 2024. She reflected,
The trip to Nepal was incredible. I had the opportunity to learn about the Khumbu region, glaciers, the Sherpa community and most importantly - experience the Everest Base Camp Trek for myself. There’s nothing I would trade in the world for the laughter and stories exchanged while on the trip. My favorite part of it all was the connection I made with the Sherpa guides on the trek. They were the best support system, comedians, and guides I could ever ask for. Our guides, Lalit Magar, Mandip Magar, Nima Doma, and Jangmu Sherpa made it all possible!
Photo above features Nicole Tran on top of Kala Pattar. Photo submitted.
Students in this study-abroad course also met the Honors College international education requirement to
- Cultivate cultural competence and humility by examining the importance of understanding, respecting, and valuing difference in building inclusive communities and addressing global challenges collaboratively.
Grant Fox ‘24 joined the 2024 study abroad in summer 2024 and then graduated in August of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in environmental science with minors in sustainable development and geology. He shared,
It was truly a once in a lifetime chance to experience a culture that was totally new to me, witness expeditionary science firsthand, and apply four years of academic pursuit to an adventure that wholly enhanced my understanding of this planet. None of this would have been possible without the hospitality and care shown to us throughout our trek as well as the breadth of knowledge and support provided to us by our porters and guides. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to both physically and mentally challenge myself and share in the memories made over the course of our three weeks in Nepal.
Above photo features Grant Fox at the top of Kala Patthar pointing to Mount Everest in the background.
Students on this and other HON faculty-led programming:
- Apply a holistic approach to global engagement that encompasses intellectual, cultural, and social dimensions as they explore, discover, learn, and grow with others.
Donahue reflected on the experience and explained,
My experience in Nepal was amazing. It is hard to encapsulate it in a brief description. After my first ever time on a plane, we arrived in Kathmandu and got to see the Monkey Temple and the Boudha Stupa. We flew into Lukla and stopped at multiple locations on the route to Everest Base Camp. My favorite experiences were getting to know Siri, Tec, Susa, and Ashok who are students at Tribhuvan University in Nepal, getting to serve our guides and porters Dal Bhat (a traditional Nepali meal) in Lukla, and climbing to the top of Kala Patthar at 18,500 feet above sea level. I’m so thankful for our porters and guides, we could not have done this without them. I’m proud that we all made it to Everest Base Camp despite the many trials we faced to get there. It was an adventure and I made friends and memories to last a lifetime!
Donahue further explained the importance of learning to be uncomfortable: “Through this experience, I encountered a lot of new things and people. Every moment was a little bit uncomfortable and I had to learn to embrace that. I feel that this made me a more confident person and learning to do this definitely made the experience better. I feel that my study abroad experience was unique because it was very mentally and physically taxing so I learned that I can rely on myself and that I am capable of more than I thought.“
The Honors College expects that study abroad experience helps to shape all of our students into better future professionals. Donahue plans to work in healthcare in the future and shared this study abroad experience, “taught me to be sensitive and caring on different levels than before. I feel that this experience will help me be a better healthcare professional because I am more adept at interacting with different cultures and people.”
Top photo features Gracelyn Donahue at the top of Kala Patthar with Mount Everest (left) and Nuptse (right) in the background.
