The 2026 Montana Journalism Abroad class will take students from the University of Montana School of Journalism to Nepal in May. Student projects will focus on efforts to protect and preserve wildlife; understand water quality and control issues; and examine the challenges facing women and indigenous cultures.

We are slated to meet with journalists and policy experts in Katmandu while we acclimate to the time zone change. We will then travel to Chitwan National Park to learn from Nepali scientists and researchers with the National Trust for Nature Conservation. The park is home to world-class wildlife conservation efforts centered on tigers, rhinos and vultures.  Issues related to water – hydroelectric generation, water quality and water control – will percolate through each of our stops, coming to the fore in Pokhara, with the famous Phewa Lake.

Montana Journalism Abroad challenges Journalism students to work in unfamiliar environments on complex issues. The class aims to teach students how to travel abroad safely and with confidence.

Our Team