As part of the DAAD-funded SDG Partnership Project “Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals: A Comparative Approach in India, Nepal, and Germany,” BELS students Birte Diekhoff, Hannah Rother, and Gerrit Scharfenberg studied at the Kathmandu School of Law in Nepal during the Summer Semester 2025.
During their stay, the students attended English-taught courses offered by professors at the host university, expanding their academic knowledge with a focus on sustainability. They had the opportunity to select from various subjects and ultimately enrolled in Business Management, Contract Law, Microeconomics, and Human Rights Law and Practice. The programme was organised into fixed semester cohorts of around 50 students, fostering strong peer connections and a supportive learning environment. While the primary language of instruction was English, occasional explanations in Nepali offered valuable insights into the multilingual nature of academic life in Nepal.
In addition to their studies, students engaged actively in practical sustainability initiatives. A key example was a tree-planting campaign held in partnership with a local school, aimed at protecting the climate and biodiversity. To express their appreciation, the students later organized a fundraising drive to support the school involved, demonstrating how sustainability and international collaboration can be successfully integrated.
Faced with Nepal’s clear waste management problems, the students also proposed innovative solutions, especially for the education sector. Their suggestions included appointing sustainability coordinators at schools and universities, launching awareness campaigns, and setting up small-scale waste separation projects.
Beyond academics and activism, the programme allowed students to deeply explore Nepali culture and society. They visited historic cities such as Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Panauti; participated in cultural tours and cooking classes; and experienced sacred sites like the Pashupatinath Temple and the Boudhanath Stupa. These activities offered meaningful insights into Nepal's cultural, spiritual, and daily life.
The DAAD SDG Partnership Project provides support with travel and accommodation costs during study semesters abroad at the Kathmandu School of Law (Nepal) or Symbiosis Law School (Pune, India). Students interested in applying for the 2026 and 2027 programmes can contact Dr. Ruth Areli García-León for further details.
