Community Education Program at GU-Q Fosters Lasting Connections through Service 

The Community Engagement Program (CEP) is more than just a service-learning trip, it is a transformative experience that shapes GU-Q students long after they return. This year’s Spring 2025 trip to Nepal to build an energy source in a remote village was particularly special, marking a full circle moment as the program partnered with a tourism company founded by Class of 2023 Nepali alumnus Nikhil Sangroula.

While an undergraduate, Nikhil participated in a CEP trip to Jordan where he helped build homes with Habitat for Humanity, an experience that deeply influenced his desire to work in service to humanity. After graduating, he initially pursued a career in consulting, before returning to Nepal, where he founded Hareet, a company which draws from environmental expertise and grassroots knowledge to create immersive learning experiences, offering customized study abroad programs and cultural engagements in Nepal. 

This year, he played a key role in shaping the trip, curating discussions with lawyers, human rights activists, and former presidential advisors, offering students a deeper understanding of Nepal’s socio-political landscape.  “As both a Georgetown and CEP alumnus, it was a profound personal privilege to bridge two communities that have shaped my worldview. My understanding of CEP’s mission enabled me to design a program that resonated meaningfully with both worlds,” he shared.

The result was a deeply rewarding engagement where students put their diplomacy training into practice. “The collaboration not only allowed me to honor my Georgetown community but also fulfilled my responsibility as a Nepali to present the depth and complexity of my homeland,” said Nikhil. 

The facilitation formed lasting bonds both in Nepal and back at home in Qatar.

 “CEP wasn’t just about engaging with the new community that we visited, but also with our own GU-Q communities,” noted Reigna Dukhan (GU-Q ‘26). This year’s cohort of 10 students spanned all class levels from freshmen to seniors, bringing together students who may not have otherwise crossed paths.“I connected with people that I don’t think I would have on that level because of the trip, the thought-provoking conversations, and being put in that challenging environment together, students and facilitators alike” shared Reigna. 

Even after returning to Doha, the spirit of CEP continued. Students gathered to organize a community BBQ, reinforcing the program’s core mission: to foster dialogue, reflection, and long-lasting connections built on shared values.  

This year’s CEP experience is a testament to GU-Q’s 20-year legacy of global engagement and student-led impact. As alumni like Nikhil Sangroula continue to shape their communities, CEP remains a defining journey, one that extends far beyond its original itinerary.