After more than two years of planning, four University of Hawaiʻi Maui College students and Associate Professor of STEM Buddhi Rai went on a scientific and cultural expedition to Nepal this summer. Chancellor Lui Hokoana also joined the trip.
The educational objective was to study the physics of high altitude in action. Students Tara Apo, Dustin Palos, Brissa Christopherson and ʻAleʻa Kimokeo also signed on to immerse themselves in Nepalese life. It turned out to be a life-changing experience for all, including Rai, a native of Nepal, who visited places he’d never been before.
All four students either have or are pursuing degrees and advanced degrees in sustainable science and/or environmental management. During the three-week trip, the group engaged in science, physics and climate experiments at altitudes reaching up to approximately 14,000 feet.
“It was thrilling to join our college’s Nepal travel study group to explore the culture in Kathmandu and some of their high-altitude science on Mount Everest,” said Hokoana. “The students were able to spend time with local families and to take part in a very significant cultural exchange. It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime journey for them and for me, too.”
Getting acclimated in Kathmandu
Upon arrival in the capital of Kathmandu at an elevation of 4,300 feet, the group started to get acclimated to high-altitude living. They visited several United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Sites. Then they had two days of STEM meetings and activities with the government, World Wildlife Fund, Council for Technical and Vocational Training, and Nepal Academy of Science and Technology officials.
“From the beautiful city of Pokhara (120 miles west of Kathmandu), we traveled deep into the Himalayan mountain range,” said Apo. “It was breathtaking. We were in awe as we drove along the winding dirt road, next to a massive gorge with majestic rising mountains on either side of us. Then when you see the snow-peaked mountains, it takes your breath away. Once you get past the Himalayan mountain range, the climate is dry and arid—much like the crater in Haleakalā.”
Once in a while, they would pass a small village. The group had a “home stay” at one such village called Jarkot Muktinath, about five hours from Tibet.
“It was so humbling to feel you were in one of the most remote places in the world,” said Apo.
Experiencing altitude
The next morning, however, Apo woke with a splitting headache and didn’t realize she was experiencing altitude sickness. Rai texted the students to check their oxygen levels. All were significantly below the normal threshold of 95%, and Rai was at 70%.
They persevered with the day’s activities at the 12,000-foot level—a horseback ride, a hike to Muktinath temple, and continued up the mountain as far as they could go.
“The group replicated the high-altitude science as we descended to lower altitudes,” said Rai. “We also participated in community activities, lived in Indigenous homes, ate home-cooked Nepalese food and learned how the people live day-to-day.”
On the way back to Kathmandu they also visited religious sites and temples.
Rai said, “Every member of my team was overwhelmed with the religious practices, the foods and especially the flowers—marigolds are everywhere, and also used for lei.”
At last, it was time to experience Mount Everest. In addition to the visitor attractions, the group visited the Pyramid International Laboratory/Observatory, Nepal’s high altitude scientific research center at an elevation of 16,568 feet.
“We got to experience such a wide range of diversity of climates, ecosystems, biodiversity and diversity of Indigenous people,” said Apo. “We went right to the border of India—the hottest place I’ve ever been in my life—and also experienced the rainiest places. The ecosystems changed so dramatically within such short distances.”
Kinship of culture
Over the course of the next six months, Rai plans to review the students’ reflective papers while continuing to compile his own notes, analyzing the wealth of data collected in Nepal and drawing comparisons with Hawaiʻi’s sea-level-to-high-altitude data. This comprehensive research work holds the potential for a significant paper to be submitted for publication and, possibly, for a documentary to be made.
As is often the case, the most meaningful memories of a travel study experience are not necessarily academic.
“It was special to go with other Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians),” Apo said. “There was a kinship of culture that I noticed with the Nepalese people. They are kind hearted, and they always treated us with respect and honor. The way they hosted us—very giving, preparing a big meal and having us eat first. It was the same kind of hospitality you would expect here. It was a beautiful cultural exchange.”
