Nepal: Microgrid Systems for Rural Development

This two-week online course taught by Dr. Sagar Sharma from Kathmandu University about the Ethics of Sustainable Development was engaging and eye-opening. This course focused on the importance of ethics in sustainable development and the theories and practices behind it. Dr. Sharma encouraged us to engage in insightful, inclusive, and head-scratching discussions in an open and safe (virtual) environment. After taking this course I will definitely approach future projects and problems from a new, different, and more inclusive angle.

Additionally, each student was required to complete a Capstone project that was focused on sustainable development. The capstone project provided an opportunity for people from all different places and backgrounds to come together and collaborate to develop an innovative solution to a worldwide problem. I loved having the opportunity to work along side passionate people to develop a creative, ethical, and sustainable solution.

If you are looking for a study abroad experience, you have to check out The Green Program! The Green Program provides an amazing program that is also compatible with the schedule of busy college students. The 10-day program was jam-packed and full of knowledge. The Green Program first ensured that travel and accommodations were comfortable for all of its attendees. I enjoyed that along with the educational aspect of the program, The Green Program also highlighted the importance of learning the Nepalese people and their culture. We visited World Heritage UNESCO sites, visited renewable energy sites in the Kathmandu Valley, and ate traditional foods throughout the trip.

We also were able to transform the knowledge we learned from Kathmandu University into action when we installed the micro-grid system in a rural Nepalese village. The Green Program truly executed its mission in this program to utilize the world as a classroom. The students were encouraged to collaborate with the local people during the project, to learn more about the Nepalese culture, and to have a well-rounded understanding of the installation of the solar panels.

It is also important to mention how the program coordinators ensured that everyone on the trip was safe and welcomed. The Green Program is definitely a community builder that enabled all of the attendees to create lifelong relationships. I am extremely excited to attend another program led by The Green Program, and I am proud to be an alum of an incredible organization.

What I loved most about the course was being able to learn more about how I can consciously help people with my work in sustainable development! I feel like most of my education focuses on the environmental aspect of things without considering a community's social or cultural needs. The Nepal program not only considers the way that development impacts the environment, but it also explores how it impacts the people and their economies. In this course you are able to examine the interconnectedness of the relationships between people and planet, and it enables you to create a sustainable capstone project.

I think what stuck out most to me about the Nepal online course was that this was the most well facilitated class I ever took online (and I've spent three semesters taking online classes for my university). I can honestly say that I felt way more connected to people that I knew I was never going to meet in person who were thousands of miles away from me than I did with people that I could more easily access or potentially meet on campus. It was just a much better experience. Programs like these will be the future of intersectional education abroad, and will go a long way in achieving the sustainable development goals.

I love all things sustainability. I was just expecting to meet like-minded people and have interesting discussions around ethics. I loved the conversations around Ishmael and what it brought. I liked that Prof Sharma called on people. I tend to be more of a listener but I was encouraged to think. I typed my thoughts and being called on kept me on top of it. I liked the food for thought questions. I liked Prof Sharma's personal stories. I want to know his life story! I would've liked more ice breakers in the beginning. I'd like to speak to more people in the group with face to face conversations (breakout rooms were nice). It would've also been interesting to go into different ethical theories and philosophers and apply them to real-world problems (eco-egotism, utilitarianism, the social contract, etc.).

**Note: I took the online certificate ethnics course so I could not rate the housing. I rated 5/10 as a neutral answer**
This is my second time being with TGP after the hackathon. Every time, TGP blows my mind and I gain new knowledge. I love how our conversations explode every class. It's very different from all of my other courses and a great change for me. I enjoyed doing the capstone project again and every time it's really rewarding and I always learn something new. I would highly recommend students to take this course as it is very applicable in many fields of study.

This class was really great. Best virtual course I have attended so far! I loved the fluidity of the class and how the professor guided the class discussion while still being unassuming and allowing everyone to express their own opinions, especially in the tough and controversial conversations we had. Everyone's perspective was welcome and respected. I really liked hearing different perspectives and being challenged to think outside of my initial understanding, and realizing that different countries need different solutions. Would highly recommend taking it!