Written by: Amber Greaney, O’Neill alumna and associate faculty member
Imagine going about your life when suddenly a 7.3 magnitude earthquake strikes. Your school is destroyed, social upheaval ensues, and landslides leave your village isolated from the rest of the country. The energy infrastructure is down, and it could take more than a decade to restore power. This is not a fictional tragedy; it reflects the urgent reality that has unfolded in Nepal.
Following the 2015 earthquake, 30% of Nepal lost access to electricity. While most disaster relief efforts around the world rely on gasoline and diesel generators, those are both expensive solutions. In response to these challenges, solar power has become a beacon of hope for recovery in Nepal. Microgrids—small, decentralized energy systems that generate and distribute electricity—have emerged as a viable solution for electrification in remote areas. Distributed energy systems like microgrids offer a realistic and resilient approach to addressing the challenges of energy infrastructure.
The O’Neill School is now offering a new study abroad course that will not only help install a new microgrid in one of the Nepalese communities still without power but will also provide real-life lessons for students.
The course
From May 10–20, 2025, students can join associate faculty member Amber Greaney for this unique study abroad experience. The intensive 10-day course will take students on a transformative journey where they’ll engage in hands-on learning and make a tangible impact in local communities. Participation is not just a learning experience but a crucial part of the solution.
The course offers a multifaceted exploration of microgrid systems and their pivotal role in addressing energy challenges within Nepal’s rural communities. During the experience, students will analyze the role of alternative energy and its practicality, adaptability, and impact in the rural societies of developing countries. Through hands-on education about microgrid system design, students who attend will help plan and install an off-grid solar field.
The experience
But the course will also allow participants to explore what will likely be a new country for many of them. Excursions include visiting a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Patan Durbar Square, a walking tour of Kathmandu, basic language lessons, trying local cuisine, and taking a yoga class where Yoga originated. All of those experiences will better prepare students to actively engage with Nepali culture and learn from local experts.
While the program starts and ends in Kathmandu, students also will have the opportunity to stay with local families for three to four days in a village homestay during the installation of the solar microgrid. This program experience will provide an authentic glimpse into daily life, customs, and traditions of rural Nepali communities and allow you to see first-hand how renewable energy impacts local communities.
Costs and how to apply
This 3 credit course is available to all undergraduate and graduate students from any IU campus. The application deadline for the Nepal study abroad trip is December 8, 2024. Enrolling in the program costs $3,400—in addition to tuition and travel costs—however financial assistance and scholarships are available, including a potential $1,000 scholarship from the Green Program. To learn more about those opportunities and to apply, visit O’Neill International’s website on Nepal.
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