Finance

The currencies cashed at local banks include traveler's checks and cash in United States dollars, Euros, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars, Hong Kong dollars, Singapore dollars and Japanese yen. Credit cards such as Visa, American Express and MasterCard are accepted at many places in Kathmandu, sometimes with a surcharge. ATMs (cash machines) are also available in Kathmandu and seem to be the most convenient way get cash.

For students who to stay at the IBA, monthly fees of US$285 include tuition (course fees), room, three meals a day and tea breaks. For a detailed fee description visit the Registration page.

To help you plan your trip, we list the following expenditures you may encounter during your stay at the Academy. Apart from the textbooks listed in the course descriptions, you may want to purchase supporting texts. Required textbooks for language courses as well as other less expensive Indian edition Dharma books may be purchased here in Kathmandu. Laundry service is available at local Nepalese prices, if you choose not to wash your own clothes.

During the Academy's weekly break and after the conclusion of the semester you may wish to take the opportunity to visit the many holy sites the Kathmandu Valley offers. Joining with other students makes these outings affordable and fun, so be sure to keep this potential in mind when budgeting.

You may want to include in your planning the costs of any special foods you may need to shop for here in order to meet any special dietary requirements you have.

Students who wish to make other accommodation arrangements should ensure they have sufficient funds to pay for the accommodation and should make their own arrangements directly with the hotels or guest houses. Guest houses in the Boudha area vary in standards and prices, ranging from US$5 to US$20 equivalent per day.

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The climate in Kathmandu typically varies between  21 and 33 degrees Celsius between June and September. As it is also the rainy season in Kathmandu, one can expect heavy rainfall occasionally.

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What to Bring

The following is suggested as a guideline to facilitate in planning your trip.  Many personal use items are available in Kathmandu. There are supermarkets, pharmacies and retail stores in the Boudha area where the IBA is located, as well as bigger establishments in other areas of Kathmandu (around 20 minutes away by car/taxi from Boudha). Although you will find that you can purchase almost anything here, it is a safer bet to bring whatever you know you will need with you as the choices here may be limited.

• Sunhat and sunglasses

• Short sleeved shirts

• Long sleeved shirts

• 1 light jacket or windbreaker

• Durable pants such as jeans or corduroys

• Skirt, mid-calf or longer length is optional for women instead of pants (no short skirts please)

• 1 pair of sandals (rubber beach thongs are ideal for wearing in showers)

• Personal toilet articles-soap, toothbrush, shaving needs, towel, shampoo, tampons or sanitary pads, etc.  

• Good flashlight, batteries

• Sunscreen lotion

• Insect repellent or mosquito net

• Prescription medicine and vitamins & supplements (unobtainable here)

• Cold remedies and over the counter medicines you normally use

• Laptop computer

• MP3 or other audio recording device with rechargeable batteries

• USB stick (external mini-drive)

• Special foods (for example, herbal teas, good coffee, health foods and snacks which you like)

• Rain poncho or folding umbrella (you can buy very good umbrellas here)

• alarm clock

• tea or coffee mug if you wish to take to your room

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Transportation

The public transportation in Kathmandu includes taxis, public buses and three wheelers. Taxis cost around Rs150 from the Boudha area to the Thamel shopping area; the cost of public buses and three wheelers are usually less than Rs20.

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Telecommunication and internet service

To facilitate students' ability to stay in touch with friends and family, the IBA has developed a wireless network for internet users on campus. Internet access also enables research, file sharing and information storage. The network is accessed by students' wireless laptops in most places on campus or by desktop computers in the student lounge room. Be forewarned that the connection speed is very slow by international standards.

In addition to regular and express mail services, there are internet cafes and public phone service shops available at the Boudha area which provide internet services, fax and long distance phone calls (some provide Voice Over Internet Protocol - long distance service at substantially reduced prices) which will enable you to maintain contact with your family and friends easily.

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Laundry

Pickup and drop-off laundry service is available during the semester at approximately 10 to 30 RS per item. You can also wash some or all of you clothes by hand.