For three months, Nahia and Loraine, final-year Psychology students from the Basque Country, took part in the Rato Baltin project of be artsy in the Achham district of Nepal.
Before leaving, they wrote a note full of expectations, curiosity, and a little nervousness about the adventure ahead. Now, after returning home, they share how this experience has changed their way of seeing the world.

“One of our expectations for this trip was to take off a little of the Eurocentric mask that we unconsciously wear… We wanted to get to know this culture up close and personally, and free ourselves from some prejudices.”

With that open attitude, they arrived to Nepal, where they lived and worked alongside the local team, taking part in educational workshops and learning from the community. After three months, they both recognise that the cultural and emotional impact was profound, but also deeply enriching.

“Living with the people of Achham, listening to their stories and sharing their daily lives made us rethink many things and look at the world through different eyes.”

They also emphasise that their time as volunteers was an important professional learning experience, allowing them to grow both as psychologists and as individuals:

“Working with a different team, with distinct values and a different work ethic, made us grow… Achham has taught us about empathy, respect, and the power of small actions.”

Their reflections reveal how an internship abroad can transform the way we understand cooperation and global justice — when approached with humility, empathy, and a genuine desire to learn.

At be artsy, we deeply value the involvement of young people like Nahia and Loraine, who approach Nepal’s reality with openness and respect. Experiences like theirs strengthen the bridge between universities, students, and transformative projects, helping to build connections of knowledge and empathy across cultures.

Read their full stories:

• Before the trip: “What expectations do we have about these internships?”
• After the trip: “Learnings and emotions”

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to the Faculty of Psychology of the University of the Basque Country (Donostia) and to Professor and be artsy member Luixa Reizabal for their support in making this collaboration possible.