Ursuline College partners with United Planet for a life-changing service-learning journey to Nepal, blending cultural immersion with meaningful community service.
A group of 17 students and faculty members from Ursuline College have recently returned from an unforgettable 12-day service-learning trip to Nepal, organised by the international non-profit organisation United Planet. This immersive global experience provided participants with a profound opportunity to connect with Nepali communities while gaining a deeper understanding of the country’s culture and resilience.
This was Ursuline’s fifth service-learning visit to Nepal through United Planet’s globally recognised programmes. The focus of the trip was on purposeful engagement and genuine human connection—many students encountering Nepal’s rich traditions, vibrant spirit, and everyday realities for the first time.
United Planet, a non-profit based in Boston, is committed to building a more united and compassionate world through cross-cultural understanding and meaningful service. Its work spans short- and long-term volunteering, gap years, faculty-led programmes, and corporate partnerships—all geared towards uniting individuals around shared purpose and mutual learning.
“Nepal was a powerful example of what makes United Planet’s work so meaningful,” said Mohammad Hijazi, Marketing and Communications Manager at United Planet, who accompanied the group. “We facilitate service-learning journeys that are not just about volunteering, but about growing into more empathetic, informed global citizens. The connections we make, through culture, service, and shared humanity, are transformational on every level.”
The group spent the majority of their time in the Kathmandu Valley, volunteering with children across two distinct locations. The first was a combined home and school for children whose mothers are currently incarcerated—children who might otherwise lack consistent care and support. The second was a dedicated care centre offering counselling and psychosocial support to survivors of child sexual abuse.
The Ursuline students led a range of trauma-informed, creativity-based activities rooted in art therapy. These included drawing, dance, meditation, bracelet making, and arts and crafts, all designed to give the children a safe space for emotional expression. A particular highlight came on the final day of volunteering, as the group joined the colourful celebrations of Holi, Nepal’s beloved festival of colours—an event marked by joy, unity, and spontaneous connection.
“Working with the children was life-changing,” Hijazi continued. “It’s incredibly powerful to step into a different cultural context and learn by doing. These kids have faced unimaginable challenges, and yet they welcomed us with trust, playfulness, and warmth. The beauty of service-learning is in that reciprocal exchange: you give, and you receive just as much, if not more.”
“If I see you, then that’s healing in itself, and you see me, and that’s healing for me,” said Dr Katherine Jackson, Associate Professor at Ursuline College and the trip’s faculty leader. “Our students and I get maybe more than we give. What we’re getting back is invaluable. And that’s the beauty of service-learning.”
Service-learning offers a powerful educational model, combining structured volunteer service with cultural immersion, academic learning, and personal reflection. Unlike traditional volunteering, service-learning is grounded in reciprocity—ensuring participants learn with and from the communities they serve. It challenges assumptions, encourages empathy, and nurtures global awareness.
Art therapy remained central to the group’s efforts. Delivered in safe, supportive environments, creative expression provides vulnerable children with the tools to process emotions, build trust, and foster self-confidence. Each activity was carefully adapted to suit the age and energy levels of the children, ensuring inclusivity and emotional safety for all involved.
“The culture, the people, the connection made at the sites — it’s all been great,” said Kaylynn, a graduate student at Ursuline College. “It was really special to make bonds with the kids. Those connections are for life. And everywhere you go in Nepal, you see little altars and feel this uplifting energy.”
Alongside their volunteer service, participants engaged in cultural excursions to deepen their appreciation of Nepal’s spiritual and historical heritage. The journey began with a sunset walk through Kathmandu, followed by a hike to Champa Devi, and explorations of lively local markets. The group also visited sacred sites including the Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple.
After their time volunteering, the group travelled to Chitwan National Park—an area renowned for its lush forests and diverse wildlife. The retreat offered a space for rest and reflection, complete with a canoe ride where the group observed crocodiles, a jungle safari spotting rhinos, sloth bears, and langur monkeys, and a tranquil breakfast at sunrise alongside elephants.
“There is something so special, magical, and spiritual about Nepal that it keeps bringing us back,” said Melissa Holadek, a counsellor at Ursuline College who has participated in several of the institution’s service-learning trips. “Each time we’re here, we continue to learn and grow by embracing and immersing ourselves in the culture.”
For the students of Ursuline College, this was far more than a study-abroad opportunity. It was a journey that expanded their worldview, deepened their compassion, and inspired a renewed sense of purpose and global connection.
United Planet remains committed to supporting service-learning as a powerful bridge between cultures and a catalyst for lasting change—both within global communities and in the hearts of those who serve.
For institutions or individuals interested in organising a customised service-learning programme, visit United Planet’s Faculty-Led Programmes page to begin planning your own transformative global experience.
