The Outdoor Adventure Leadership degree programs inspire a passion for self-development and transformation by providing opportunities to explore and learn leadership skills through outdoor adventure. The curriculum provides students with the opportunity to learn and evolve interpersonal, intrapersonal, and technical skills, and apply them to real-world situations. Through small and large group facilitation, students will learn to embrace adversity, diversity, uncertainty, and the necessity for collaboration.
1. Students will be able to demonstrate and explain adventure leadership and expeditionary behavior through effective communication by articulating personal values; incorporating other perspectives; employing various leadership theories and styles; and leading others towards a common goal while inspiring mutual respect, collaboration, and trust.
2. Students will be able to plan, execute, and debrief a variety of short term to multi-day expeditions and adventures in various outdoor settings, utilizing multiple activities that lead to meaningful and transformative experiences.
3. Students will be able to document, analyze, and promote their outdoor adventure experiences through adventure writing, journaling, completing trip plans, logbooks, and trip reports; photography; videography; structured research; and web design.
4. Students will be able to evaluate and provide pertinent feedback to others and develop self-awareness of their own abilities and limits within the field of outdoor adventure leadership.
5. Students will be able to demonstrate technical outdoor adventure skills such as outdoor living, wilderness navigation, and activity-specific skills, while applying minimal impact principles, assessing hazards, managing risks, problem-solving, and making decisions.
6. Students will be able to demonstrate environmental, social, and economic stewardship by discussing the value of wilderness and nature; advocating for the protection and conservation of those environments; valuing diversity and different perspectives and beliefs; and promoting the outdoor recreation industry.
7. Students will be able to critically read, evaluate and synthesize literature in the field of outdoor leadership; access and interpret information from peer-reviewed publications and student-conducted research; incorporate conflicting points of view, and present information through oral and written communication.
The SOU Outdoor Adventure Leadership (OAL) study abroad program in Nepal, hosted by Initiative Outdoor (IO), exposes students to international travel, expeditions, tourism, unique biological and physical environments, diverse cultures and the expansive religious and spiritual practices of Nepal. This program simultaneously provides students the opportunity to engage in on-going service-based projects for mountain villagers in the Himalaya, gaining access via backpacking and rafting. Students earn credits that specifically apply to their OAL Major or Minor degree in one of the finest adventure environments in the world, as well as gain skills and knowledge that will serve them for a lifetime.
The program is modeled around cultural, spiritual and environmental exploration. Throughout the experience students have the opportunity to reside in homestays, interact with local guides and visit cultural and religious sites to provide situations ripe for gaining unique cultural perspectives and personal growth. Special teachings on Buddhism, Hinduism and Tibetan practices in Nepal will be used to prepare students for their pilgrimages to spiritually significant sites, such as Serang Gompa, Devi Ghat, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath. Students will learn about personal strength through physical and mental growth, and by opening themselves to new ways of thinking and learning as they participate in the pilgrimages.
Locations
The expeditions will take place in two world class environments that provide a unique opportunity to compare self-support backpacking and teahouse trekking on the same expedition: the Manaslu Circuit (with special emphasis on the Nubri Valley) and the Great Upper Himalayan Trail. The rafting takes place on the stunning Class III Lower Kaligandhaki River. With exciting white water rapids, spectacular mountain views, traditional villages, waterfalls, jungle corridor rich in wildlife, deep gorges, temples and beautiful white sandy beaches for camp, we consider this to be one of the best all-round river adventures in Nepal. Time spent in the cities of Kathmandu and Pokhara will allow for exploration of bazaars, temples and the uniquie urban settings of Southeast Asia.
Civic Engagement
The engagement project includes working alongside local healthcare workers that are stationed along our hiking and rafting expedition routes. We will assist in the further development of an ongoing campaign to promote hygienic practices in some of the most isolated and remote areas of Nepal.
All coursework is team-taught by SOU OAL instructors Adam Elson, Erik Sol, and Chad Thatcher. Students are required to take 12 credits from the following list to participate:
Required Course: Last 4 week Summer Session, July 25 - Aug 17
OAL 410 - International Expedition: Nepal {1 credit}
Elective Courses: Aug 18 - Sept 23 (Select 11 credits)
All foreign nationals, except Indians, need visas to enter Nepal. Multiple entry visas for 15 days (US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency), 30 days (US$ 40) or 90 days (US$ 100) can be obtained from any Nepalese embassy or consulate. You can also get a visa on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport , Kathmandu or at the Immigration Office at the entry points of Nepal.
Students are required to obtain the 30 day visa tourist upon arrival.
Tourist visas can be extended for a period of 120 days at the Immigration Department in Kathmandu or Pokhara. For more information, please, contact Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu, Tel: 00977-1-4433934 / 4429660 / 4438862 / 4438868, Email : mail@immi.gov.np ; Web: www.immi.gov.np
What are needed to get a visa?
A valid passport and one passport size photo with a light background . Immigration Department has not specified the size of the passport-size photo. Visa can be obtained only through payment of cash in the following currency : Euro, Swiss Franc, Pound Sterling, US dollar, Australian dollar, Canadian dollar, Hong-kong dollar, Singapore dollar and Japanese Yen.
Credit Card, Indian currency or Nepalese currency are not accepted for payment of Visa fee.
What to wear?
Light, loose garments are recommended in spring (March, April and May) and summer (June, July and August), while woolens and jackets or similar warm cloths are needed from November to February.
What is the currency of Nepal?
The Nepalese currency is the rupee and is divided into 100 paisa. Bank notes come in denominations of Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000. Coins are of 1, 2 and 5 rupee denomination.
Where can I exchange my money?
It is illegal to exchange foreign currency with persons and organizations other than those authorized such as banks, hotels and licensed money changers. Nepalese banks do not accept Indian currency of denomination of Rs. 500 and 1000. You will find the exchange rates for different currencies in the Nepalese papers.
In order to exchange surplus rupees at the time of your departure, please retain your encashment receipts.
Are there ATMS in Nepal?
There are ATMS in Kathmandu, Pokhara and other big cities in Nepal that accept AMERICAN EXPRESS, VISA and MASTERCARD.
Are credit cards accepted in Nepal?
Major hotels, restaurants and curio shops accept AMERICAN EXPRESS, VISA and MASTERCARD. You can contact the banks for credit card services.
If I run out of money, how do I get access to more funds?
You can draw funds against your AMERICAN EXPRESS, VISA and MASTERCARD cards in Kathmandu. The service premiums for doing this, however, could be high. You can also have money wired directly to Kathmandu through any major bank within two to three working days.
What inoculations are recommended before visiting Nepal?
Although specific immunization is not required to enter Nepal, it is, however, best to protect yourself against diseases such hepatitis, meningitis and Japanese encephalitis. Malaria has been reported in the Terai plains of Nepal, so take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes. Please notify the authorities or the hotel of any symptoms of bird or swine flu or any endemic.
What health precautions need to be taken?
Use bottled or treated (filtered, boiled, SteriPEN, etc.) water only. Always wash your hands before eating. Do not eat unpeeled fruits or vegetables unless they have been thoroughly washed.
If I need to see a doctor, where can I do so?
There are well-equipped general and specialized hospitals, nursing homes and private clinics manned by very competitive doctors in Kathmandu, Pokhara and other cities if you fall sick. Your hotel will provide good advice on the matter.
What is Acute Mountain Sickness and how do you prevent it?
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is caused by thin air at high altitudes starting from 3, 000 meters upwards and may even lead to death. The main precaution that needs to be taken while trekking is not to go up too high too fast. So the body should be given enough time to acclimatize.
If you suffer from initial symptoms like headaches, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, inability to sleep, swelling of the face, hands and feet and loss of appetite, descend to a lower elevation immediately, and seek medical help.
Are there clinics to treat AMS on trekking routes?
The Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA), a non-profit organization that works to prevent casualties from AMS, operates a permanent aid post in Manang which is managed by volunteer doctors from HRA. It also operates a small aid post in the Khumbu village of Pheriche at 4,280 m during the trekking season by volunteer doctors. HRA also operates a camp at Everest Base Camp during the mountaineering season.
Is travel insurance necessary to go trekking in Nepal?
Helicopter services are available should you fall sick or meet with an accident while trekking. However, such rescue services are expensive. So comprehensive travel insurance is advised to cover emergencies like helicopter rescue and medical treatment.
How safe is Nepal?
It is safe to take a walk around the city from morning to late evening until the shops are closed. But you are advised not to trek alone. Trekking with a guide from a registered agency is the best security. Do not display your cash or expensive items. Always lock your room and baggage. The Tourist Police at Bhrikuti Mandap is there to help you with security and travel-related problems. If any valuable item is lost, you can contact the Tourist Police to prepare documents for theft to claim insurance.
Are there public toilets in Nepal?
Public toilets can be used for a small fee. But visitors are advised to use the toilets at the shopping malls, stores and restaurants which are cleaner.
What is the country code of Nepal?
The country code for Nepal is 977 and the area code for Kathmandu is 01, for Pokhara 061, Chitwan 056 and Lumbini 071.
What is the time difference in Nepal?
Nepali time is GMT plus 5 hours 45 minutes.
Do I need a converter and/or adaptor to charge electronics in Nepal?
Electricity in Nepal is 220 volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. A voltage converter is needed for a device that does not accept 220 volts at 50 MHz. Sockets in Nepal accept only round three or two pins. So if your electrical device uses flat pins, please bring a universal electric plug adaptor.
What are some basic Nepali customs that I need to know?
When visiting a temple, always circumambulate all religious objects it is a clockwise direction.
Take off your shoes before entering a temple or a Nepalese home.
Entrance to some temples is forbidden, so look out for such notices.
Seek permission to take photographs inside temples or of religious ceremonies.
You can accept a handshake offered by either a male or a female but never offer your hand first.
Show decency in dress and avoid any show of public affection.
How do I get around in the cities and to other destinations?
During the program all transportation will be provided, however the following information may be helpful for students after the course has ended.
There are metered taxis, buses, battery-operated three- wheelers and rickshaws in the cities. Long routes are served by buses. Nepal does not have a railway system connecting cities.
The only other travel option is by plane, and Nepal is well connected by air.
There are Intercity Tourist Buses to popular tourist destinations like Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini from Kantipath in Kathmandu, while you can board a bus to Jiri and Dhunche at the New Bus Park.
How reliable is the post office in Nepal?
The post office is reliable. Express Mail Service (EMS) is available at the General Post Office located at Sundhara near the Dharahara tower in Kathmandu and at Thamel, Basantapur and airport postal counters in the capital. Kathmandu has the only Post Restante of the country.
How are communication facilities in Nepal?
Getting a Nepali cell phone that makes international calls is very easy and requires no contract. Students simply present a copy of passport and visa details and purchase a SIM card. The SIM will work with most phones. Then units can be purchased to make calls. A call to the states costs a few pennies per minute.
Mobile coverage is wide in Nepal, even in the rural areas. Internet facilities are available in hotels and cyber cafes in all major cities. Apart from the urban centers, popular trekking destinations – the Annapurna and Everest region – also have modern communications facilities.
What kind of food is available in Nepalese restaurants?
Kathmandu is a melting pot of international cuisine. Dining out is, therefore, a pleasure. The Nepali staple is rice, dal (lentils) and curry. Apart from Nepalese cuisine, there are restaurants serving Continental, Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Japanese, Italian and Korean food. Fast foods like burgers, pizzas are found everywhere. There are two KFC outlets in Kathmandu.
What souvenirs can I take home?
Popular among visitors are handmade apparels like woolen sweaters, jackets, trousers and caps. And the Pashmina shawl is a highly coveted item. Then there are ethnic and contemporary carpets, gems and jewelry, metal and wooden products, Khukuri (the curved metal knife, music CDs, Nepali paper products, pottery, spices, tea and Thangka paintings to take home. There are exclusive showrooms at Durbar Marg, Asan, Thamel, Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square area which specialize in these items.
Please email Erik Sol, sole@sou.edu, with any questions, or to set up an appointment.
Field Immersion
OAL majors further test their skills and build confidence by completing the required intensive spring quarter, spending over 35 days in the field. Student plan and execute multiple expeditions, ranging from 5 to 10 days in the field. Spring in the Pacific Northwest presents the perfect environment, starting with the deep spring snowpack for winter exploration, then transitioning to water activities such as rafting and kayaking, and culminating in mountain bike, multi-day rafting and backpacking excursions. OAL students graduate with the confidence and experience to follow their passion and dreams, shaping the lives they were born to live.
Internships & Jobs
Students enrolled in the OAL degree have opportunities to apply their learning through direct practicum and senior capstone experiences which can include paid or unpaid internships and part-time or full-time jobs. This page outlines requirements for each and includes directions for searching and for posting opportunities through Handshake, an online career community.
Student-generated project based on field experience in OAL related discipline; 90-hours total
Students - Sign up and login here to search for current opportunities on Handshake.
Employers - Handshake is SOU’s official job and internship board and will let you post full-time, part-time, internship, and volunteer opportunities to SOU students. Posting your positions on Handshake provides you with a tool for collecting and reviewing applications, messaging applicants, and storing your position descriptions in a single place for future use that is accessible to all of your team members.
career community. 
