How BSW Students Can Get Hands-On Experience Before Graduation

Studying a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Kathmandu Model College (KMC) is more than just completing assignments and passing exams—it’s about preparing to make a real impact in society. 

As the best BSW college in Kathmandu, KMC provides the knowledge and skills needed for a meaningful career in social work. 

Social work is a practical field, and to truly understand the challenges and responsibilities it involves, students need more than just classroom learning.

That’s why gaining hands-on experience during your college years is so important.

For BSW students at KMC, the opportunity to step out of the classroom and into real communities can be both eye-opening and rewarding. 

Whether it’s through internships with local NGOs, volunteering during social campaigns, or participating in community-based projects, these experiences help build confidence, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of social issues in Nepal.

Let’s explore how BSW students can make the most of their time at KMC by gaining real-world experience before graduation.

1. Why Practical Experience Matters in Social Work

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is not just about reading books and writing exams—it’s a course that prepares you to work with real people, in real communities, facing real problems.

In Nepal, where many people still struggle with poverty, domestic violence, unemployment, caste discrimination, and lack of basic services, social workers have a big role to play. 

And to truly understand these issues, classroom learning alone is not enough.

Here’s why practical experience is so important in social work:

• Connects Theory to Reality: You may study about social problems in class, but fieldwork shows you how they actually affect people’s lives in places like rural villages, slum areas, orphanages, or rehabilitation centres.

   

• Builds Confidence: When you meet people, talk to them, and try to help—even in small ways—you start becoming more confident and professional.

   

• Develops Communication Skills: Social work is all about samjhauta ra samvad (understanding and communication). Field experience helps you learn how to talk to people from different backgrounds, with empathy and respect.

   

• Encourages Self-Reflection: Practical work helps you understand your own strengths and weaknesses. You start thinking: “Am I really listening? Am I making a difference?”

   

• Prepares You for the Job Market: NGOs, INGOs, and community projects in Nepal look for graduates with hands-on experience. Your fieldwork can give you an edge while applying for jobs or internships.

   

• Makes You a Change-Maker: Social work is not just a job—it’s a mission. By seeing real-life struggles and solutions, you become more committed to helping create a better society.

   

At colleges like Kathmandu Model College (KMC), BSW students are encouraged to take field visits, internships, and community projects seriously. 

These experiences shape you into a real social worker, not just a graduate with a degree.

2. Internships with NGOs and INGOs

Nepal is home to many active NGOs and INGOs working in areas like child rights, women’s empowerment, mental health, disaster relief, education, trafficking prevention, and more. 

For BSW students, these organisations are not just places to visit—they’re real classrooms where you can learn how social work happens in the field.

Interning with NGOs and INGOs helps you:

Get Real-World Experience: You learn how programs are planned, how field visits are done, and how social workers handle sensitive issues like abuse, trauma, or displacement.

Understand Community Work: You’ll witness how professionals engage with people in rural areas, slum settlements, or post-disaster zones—something no textbook can fully explain.

Explore Your Passion: Whether you’re more drawn to children’s issues, gender-based violence, mental health, or education, internships help you discover where your heart lies.

Build Professional Networks: Field supervisors, mentors, and co-interns can become valuable connections for your future career. Sometimes, internships even turn into full-time job offers!

Improve Soft Skills: You’ll learn time management, report writing, team coordination, and how to handle real-life challenges. These skills are crucial for any social worker.

Well-known organizations like Maiti Nepal, TPO Nepal, CWIN, SAATH, and Koshish Nepal often accept student interns. 

Don’t wait for someone to assign you—take initiative. Visit their websites, email them, or visit their offices to inquire about openings.

Even a short internship—of 1 to 3 months—can leave a big impact on your learning, personal growth, and career path. 

So, take that step and put your classroom learning into action!

3. Volunteering in Community Projects

Getting hands-on experience in social work doesn’t always require a formal internship. 

Volunteering is one of the best ways to connect with people, understand real issues, and contribute to your community—all while developing important skills.

As a BSW student in Nepal, you’ll find many opportunities to volunteer in meaningful ways:

Join Local Events: Whether it’s a blood donation camp, health awareness rally, plantation drive, or sanitation campaign, these small actions make a big impact—and you learn how to organize and engage people.

Support Vulnerable Groups: You can volunteer at orphanages, old-age homes, child care centers, or disability support organizations. Helping out—even for a few hours a week—teaches you empathy and patience.

Help During Natural Disasters: Nepal is prone to floods, landslides, and earthquakes. Volunteering during relief efforts builds your crisis management skills and shows the true spirit of social work.

Raise Awareness: Participate in school visits or community awareness programs related to issues like domestic violence, menstrual health, drug abuse, or mental health. These experiences sharpen your communication and public speaking skills.

Learn Teamwork and Leadership: Volunteering often involves working in groups. You learn to cooperate, lead small initiatives, and solve problems together—skills that are valuable in both your studies and future job.

Volunteering doesn’t require money—just time, interest, and a willingness to help. 

Even a few hours a week can create real change. 

It also adds weight to your CV and shows future employers or universities that you’re serious about your field.

In short, don’t wait for big opportunities. Start small, act locally, and grow personally. That’s the heart of social work.

4. Take Part in College Field Visits and Research

At Kathmandu Model College (KMC), field visits and research activities are a core part of the BSW curriculum. 

These aren’t just casual college trips—they are real learning opportunities that help you connect classroom theories with the real world.

During field visits, you get to:

Observe Real-Life Situations: Whether it’s a visit to a rural village in Kavre, a rehabilitation center in Lalitpur, or a government child protection office, each place shows you the real challenges people face and how social workers deal with them.

Interact with Communities: Talking to individuals, families, or community leaders helps you understand local realities—things like poverty, domestic violence, mental health stigma, and lack of education—beyond what you read in books.

See Social Work in Action: You witness how NGOs, government agencies, or community groups actually work on the ground. It helps you understand roles, responsibilities, and strategies used in the field.

Get Ideas for Research: These visits often spark inspiration for your research papers, field reports, or final year thesis. You might explore topics like child labour, gender inequality, drug addiction, or migration—all relevant to Nepal.

To make the most of these visits:

• Be Curious: Ask questions. Why is this program working? What challenges are they facing? What solutions are being tried?

   

• Take Notes: Document your observations in detail. They’ll help when writing reports or doing research.

   

• Engage in Group Discussions: Share your views, listen to others, and reflect on what you learned.

Field visits and research are what make BSW at KMC truly practical and impactful. 

So take these opportunities seriously—they shape you into a more aware, skilled, and thoughtful social worker.

5. Start Your Own Initiative

In social work, you don’t always have to wait for someone to give you an opportunity. 

Sometimes, the best way to learn—and make a real impact—is by starting something on your own.

As a BSW student at Kathmandu Model College (KMC), you’re surrounded by friends, mentors, and a supportive environment. 

So why not take the lead and create your own mini social project?

Here are some simple but powerful ideas:

• Organize a Mental Health Awareness Session at a nearby school or college. Many students silently struggle but don’t know where to turn.
• Start a Donation Drive for clothes, books, or sanitary products in your local community or for nearby orphanages.
• Launch a Social Media Campaign about issues like child rights, domestic violence, or menstrual hygiene. Use Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook to educate and inspire your network.
• Form a Clean-Up or Sanitation Group in your locality. Even one clean, safe space can bring dignity to a neglected area.

By doing this, you’ll develop:

• Leadership Skills – You’ll learn how to take initiative and motivate others.

   

• Planning & Coordination – From setting goals to organizing events, you’ll get real project management experience.

   

• Communication Skills – Whether you’re talking to a ward office or designing a poster, you’ll grow more confident in how you express your ideas.

And remember—at KMC, you’re not alone. Your classmates might want to help, and your teachers can guide you through logistics, planning, or even finding resources.

No project is too small. What matters is that you take action, make a positive impact, and grow in the process. That’s what being a social worker is all about.

At Kathmandu Model College (KMC), your journey as a BSW student is filled with opportunities to grow both academically and personally. 

But to truly prepare for a future in social work, you need more than just classroom knowledge—you need real-world experience.

Whether it’s through internships with NGOs and INGOs, volunteering in local projects, participating in college-organized field visits, or even starting your own initiative, every practical experience adds value to your journey. 

Learning from seniors, staying curious, and starting early can give you a strong edge by the time you graduate.

Remember, social work is about action, compassion, and connection. 

The earlier you engage with the community, the stronger your foundation will be for becoming a thoughtful, skilled, and impactful social worker. 

So don’t wait—step out, explore, and take charge of your learning beyond the classroom.