About Nepal
In January, I studied abroad in Nepal to participate in a nature conservation storytelling course offered by George Mason University. There, I was immersed in the country's rich culture and stunning views, traveling to destinations such as Kathmandu, Chitwan, Pokhara, and Marpha. During my short time there, I recorded, edited, and produced content alongside my classmates. The final project for this course was to create a conservation story about Nepal.
About the Project
My final project focused on Nepal’s tourism industry, examining both its positive and negative effects on the country. I related this topic to the phrase "double-edged sword," as Nepal is known for its iconic kukri knives, which can be seen all throughout the country. Initially, I had a different topic in mind going into the class, but I quickly changed it based on how shocked I was by the country's climate and after learning about the impact of tourism on it.
I shot, wrote, directed, and edited everything within this project and am so unbelievably happy how it turned out. As a result, I was recognized by the George Mason University School of Media Production and awarded an Excellence Award.
Final Thoughts
I loved my time on this trip because of the countless memories, stories I created alongside my newfound friends, amazing views, and being immersed in Nepal's rich culture. Additionally, I learned so much more about production, shooting on site, storytelling, editing, and research. With this being said, I would love to return to Nepal, but with a different mindset regarding my use of plastic and what I bring into the country.
