Khusvegi English & Nomadic Culture Camp
Khusvegi English & Nomadic Culture Camp is a community-led tourism initiative that aims to foster an authentic human connection and transformational slow travel experience that mutually benefits tourists and the local community. It is a four-week English teaching and cultural immersion program that offers travelers a chance to immerse themselves in the nomadic culture and eagle hunting traditions by becoming a part of the Kazakh nomadic community of Sagsai in Western Mongolia. The eagle hunters invite you to
Be a Nomad. Celebrate Life.
Travelers will teach English to young Kazakh nomads while they discover and learn about the nomadic lifestyle first-hand as guests of the local community. For the local community, English learning will open doors for the young generation of nomads to become tour guides, ambassadors and storytellers on behalf of their community as they connect and share their stories, culture and traditions directly with tourists, thereby creating “language equity” in the long run. The program runs every summer from mid-June to mid-July.
Khusvegi English & Nomadic Culture Camp is the AWARD WINNER for the Launch Track category at the 2021 Social Entrepreneurship in Tourism Competition hosted by TUI Care Foundation, UNWTO, Sina, Travel Massive, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, and ITB Berlin. Khusvegi Camp aims to promote the following U.N. Sustainable Development Goals in tourism:
KHUSVEGI CAMP IS A FINALIST FOR BESSIE AWARDS 2022 - COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR!
See the list of amazing women who have been selected as finalists for the Bessie Awards at the Women in Tourism Summit 2022 in Kansas City. The Bessie Awards was created by Wanderful to honor women who are creating a positive impact in the travel industry.
MEET THE FOUNDERS
Bakhitgul Altay
"I live in the town of Sagsai. I have been working as a teacher for 16 years. I teach English and Russian. Khusvegi English Camp is a big opportunity for our young kids to learn English. With English, they can share and introduce our unique culture to the world. Khusvegi English & Culture Camp is a golden opportunity and a path towards the future."
Marinel M. de Jesus
“Khusvegi English & Nomadic Culture Camp was born out of my personal experience with the community of Sagsai where I taught English to the young Kazakh nomads while stranded in Mongolia for 294 days during the pandemic in 2020. I witnessed the utmost hospitality and kindness of the Kazakh nomads while living with them.
The local people yearn to share their culture and traditions with the world. They also want access to the tourism industry, open doors for job opportunities for their youths in tourism or elsewhere and be the storytellers of their history and culture. Learning English is the key towards these goals. For travelers, my hope is to cultivate a transformational travel experience by investing in the local community and fostering long-term connections that benefit both the travelers and the nomads"
Learn more about the vision for Khusevgi English & Nomadic Culture Camp via this short film courtesy of Alphy.
be a nomad.
scenes from our Khusvegi Camp Pilot program
in June of 2022
Photos by Hattie Watson
2022 Pilot program outcomes
50 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED
PARTICIPANTS OF AGES 5 TO 18
FOUR CLASSROOMS WITH 2 TEACHERS EACH
5 FOREIGN TEACHERS & 3 LOCAL TEACHERS
FULLY SUPPORTED BY THE MONGOLIAN PARLIAMENT AND THE 5000-PERSON COMMUNITY OF SAGSAI
“This experience introduced me to a whole new culture and a bunch of new friends. As a traveler, it was a great experience of cultural immersion and cross-cultural communication and learning. I think that being there a long time made us more comfortable within the community and helped the community become comfortable with us. I think also just us committing time and energy to our students showed the community that we cared, and many families invited us into their homes and showed us different parts of their homes and culture- including singing and dancing” - Megan Carroll, 2022 English Teacher
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Immersive cultural experience led and curated by the local Kazakh nomads.
An authentic experience in learning about eagle hunting traditions and the Kazakh nomadic culture.
directly supporting and Investing in the community by way of teaching English to the young members of the community.
Exploring the Mongolian landscapes.
BENEFITS TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
English immersion for the young Kazakh nomads.
CREATING A NEW GENERATION OF NOMADS AS STORYTELLERS OF THEIR own HISTORY AND CULTURE.
Creating a community-led local tourism that caters to the priorities and goals of the community including the preservation of eagle hunting traditions and nomadic culture.
Building a local cultural museum and library for the community.
2024 summer camp (june 17-july 16)
ITINERARY
Mon, June 17
Arrive in Ulgii. Transfer to Sagsai. Community Orientation. Dinner with a local family.
Tues, June 18
Breakfast at School. Teacher Orientation in the morning. Lunch in Ulgii. Shopping.
Wed, June 19
Welcome Reception with Parents & Students
Classes are from June 19 to July 12, 2024.
Class schedule:
M, Tu, Th F: 10-12:30 / 2:00-4:30
(with Lunch Break 12:30-2:00)
Wed: 10-1pm
Classes will entail a combination of teaching at our ger classrooms and experiential teaching combined with cultural aspects that are done outdoors and various locations within the community.
Teacher Class Preparation & Social from 9-10 am daily.
Thurs, June 20
Class from 10-12:30 & 2:00-4:30pm
Fri, June 21
Class from 10-12:30 & 2:00-4:30pm
JUNE 22-23 WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
Day Hike to Turgen Valley and Lake & Teacher-Parent Lunch and Cultural Exchange Social
On Saturday, teachers and their students will do an all day hike to Turgen Valley and Lake. On Sunday, we will have our Teacher-Parent Lunch & Cultural Exchange Social in which travelers will learn about nomadic chores and activities such as herding, milking cows, making dairy, cheese & yogurt, and more.
Mon, June 24
Class from 10-12:30 & 2:00-4:30pm
Tues, June 25
Class from 10-12:30 & 2:00-4:30pm. Dinner with a student’s family.
Wed, June 26
Class from 10-1 pm. Ulgii visit in the afternoon for food shopping, shower and teachers’ luncheon.
Thurs, June 27
Class from 10-12:30 & 2:00-4:30pm. Dinner with a student’s family.
Fri, June 28
Class from 10-12:30 & 2:00-4:30pm
JUNE 29-30 WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
Eagle Hunting Trip
Program participants will spend time with eagle hunters and their families in Sagsai and learn about the ancient tradition of eagle hunting. On Friday evening, program participants will spend the night at the home of eagle hunters and their families. On Saturday, program participants will venture into the mountains with the eagle hunters to witness the tradition first-hand. Program participants have the option to ride horses. On Sunday, we visit other eagle hunters and their families in the area. To learn more about the eagle hunting tradition and the female eagle hunters who are continuing this tradition, see How a Young Eagle Huntress Kicks But at a Kazakh Tradition.
Mon, July 1
Class from 10-12:30 & 2:00-4:30pm
Tues, July 2
Class from 10-12:30 & 2:00-4:30pm. Dinner with a student’s family.
Wed, July 3
Class from 10-1 pm. Ulgii visit in the afternoon for food shopping, shower, and teachers’ luncheon.
Thurs, July 4
Class from 10-12:30 & 2:00-4:30pm. Dinner with a student’s family.
Fri, July 5
Class from 10-12:30. Drive to Dayan Town in the afternoon.
JULY 6-7: WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
Dayan Town & Lake
Program participants will visit a much smaller town called Dayan which is located next to a beautiful lake by the same name. Dayan is a half a day’s drive from Sagsai that affords our program participants scenic mountain vistas along the way. This town hardly sees tourists and so having travelers as guests in the locals’ home would be a treat to both the travelers and their local hosts. The region is ideal to visit in the summer where hiking, fishing, camping and other outdoor activities abound. Travelers will stay and share meals with the locals of the town while exploring the area. To learn more about Dayan town and the lake, see Mongolia’s Dayan Lake is a Winter Wonderland for Nomads.
Mon, July 8
Class from 10-12:30 & 2:00-4:30pm
Tues, July 9
Class from 10-12:30 & 2:00-4:30pm. Dinner with a student’s family.
Wed, July 10
Class from 10-1 pm. Ulgii visit in the afternoon for food shopping, shower, and teachers’ luncheon.
Thurs, July 11
Class from 10-12:30 & 2:00-4:30pm. Dinner with a student’s family.
Fri, July 12
Last day of classes from 10-12:30 pm. Farewell party for students, teachers and the local community.
JULY 13-14 WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
Naadam Festival in Sagsai
The Naadaam Festival is the biggest festival in Mongolia. “Naadam” means feasts of sports and it covers three areas of competition: archery, wrestling and horse racing. In Sagsai, Naadam is a two-day event. On the first day, the event is celebrated in the town center of Sagsai where program participants can watch the competitions and enjoy locally made delicacies and handicrafts. On the second day, the event is held just outside of Sagsai for the horse racing portion of the event. Our program participants will have the opportunity to enjoy two full days of Naadam festivities in Sagsai.
***Mon, July 15
Drive to Ulgii. Overnight in Ulgii.
Tues, July 16
Fly to Ulaanbaatar and start your journey back home.
FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR CAMP, READ THE TRAVEL DOSSIER.
Altai Tavan Bogd National Park Hiking Tour (5 days)
***OPTIONAL TRIP ADD-ON
For travelers with extra days to spare, we will visit the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park and do a hike to the base camp and then from there to Malchin Peak (4050 meters) where we can have the best view of the highest peak in Mongolia, Khuiten, and the mountain ranges that border Russia and Mongolia. This visit will take five days which ends in Ulgii where you can connect to your flight back to Ulaanbaatar.
Learn more about the 5 Day Hiking Tour of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park.
2024 PRICING
The program requires a minimum of 5 participants with a maximum of 8. This is a community-led program. The funds go towards school setup costs, accommodations, transport, weekend excursions, activities, the salary of the local staff, and operational & administrative fees.
Pricing per person: $2095*
A nonrefundable deposit of ($565) is due for those who are accepted to the program. For those who are selected, the background check fee is additional ($30-$40 for U.S. applicants).
Merchant service fees (e.g. Paypal) may apply.
*Please note as per the terms and conditions, the program cost may be subject to change based on factors out of our control (e.g. increase in gas prices, accommodation, guide fees, transport service costs, etc.).
INCLUSIONS
English-speaking local members of the Sagsai community as program managers & hosts
Community and Program Orientation
Accommodation and activities coordinators to assist throughout the duration of the program
Ger classroom setups and support staff
Local accommodation in Sagsai for the entire duration of the camp program
Round trip transport between Sagsai and Ulgii for weekly errands
All teaching materials and amenities
Some school lunches and dinners at students’ homes
Weekend excursions, including accommodation and transport (Eagle Hunting, Dayan Lake, Naadam Festival, Day Hiking, and Cultural Exchange Social with the Local Families)
1 night hotel stay in Ulgii
Virtual pre-departure trip preparation consultation (group & one-on-one)
Certificate of Program Completion
EXCLUSIONS
International flights
Round-trip domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar to Ulgii
Some meals during the program and on weekend excursions
Travel and emergency medical insurance
Trip extensions such as the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park Hiking Tour
Tipping to locals on weekend or day excursions
Additional activities during the weekend excursions such as horseback riding, etc.
Personal expenses (laundry, sim card, etc.)
Visa fees
(Note: You are responsible for booking your international flight and securing your visa. Check with the Mongolian Embassy in your location for the latest requirements).
travel style, ACCOMMODATION & MEALS
Sagsai is located in a valley that is surrounded by the mountains of Western Mongolia. The current population is around 5000. It has a government office, hospital, mosque, school, public shower facility, and a few small markets. Bayan-Ulgii, which is 23 kilometers from Sagsai, serves as the hub for tourists who visit this region of Mongolia as it has tourist amenities such as hotels, restaurants, markets, bazaars, hospitals, and more. Sagsai is an hour’s drive from Ulgii. Many locals from Sagsai come to Ulgii for shopping, healthcare, and visiting relatives and friends.
This program suits travelers who are adventure-minded and outdoorsy as many of the activities involve outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, horseback riding, camping and sleeping in basic accommodations which often do not have running water, proper toilet, shower facilities, heating or air-conditioning. During the program, the participants will be staying in the homes of local nomads where they will be provided with beddings, as well as, kitchen and dining amenities and furnishings. The homes will have an outhouse for the use of the participants but more likely than not there will be no shower facility as this is an uncommon feature in the locals’ houses. Like the locals, travelers can use the public shower facilities in Sagsai (or Ulgii). We provide travelers transport to and from Ulgii every Wednesday afternoon to allow them to use the shower facilities and do their food shopping.
Each participant will be responsible for preparing their meals. Sagsai has small markets where you can buy basic necessities such as rice, potatoes, sugar, salt, eggs, cooking oil, toiletries etc. A few local people also make dairy products for purchase and/or sell fish, lamb or beef. For more options, it is best to shop at the bigger markets in Ulgii. We organize weekly transport to Ulgii to allow participants to purchase their groceries. Participants will be attending weekly dinners with the local families on Tuesday and Thursday of every week.
For a comprehensive overview of the daily life in Sagsai, read the Khusvegi English & Nomadic Culture Camp travel dossier.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
To become a participant-volunteer teacher, our program requires the following:
Participant must be at least 18 years of age.
Participant must be willing to undergo a criminal background check.
Participant must be a native or fluent English speaker.
Participant must have travel and medical/emergency evacuation insurance.
Participant must be willing to comply with COVID-19 Safety Protocols, Child Safety & Protection Policy and Equity Traveler Guide.
the camp experience
All volunteer teachers will be co-teaching a group of 10-12 students at our ger camp set up specifically for the Khusvegi English & Nomadic Culture Camp. Students will range from age 5 to 18 and will be divided up into classes depending on their ages and English learning level. Volunteer teachers will create lesson plans and utilize teaching methods that uniquely address the learning needs of their students. Teachers may also engage in teaching on special topics that can include how to apply to universities abroad and information on cultural norms for western/English-speaking countries that can help the locals advance in their careers. The Teacher Orientation will provide participants with ideas and tools for teaching. The teaching method will generally be based on “experiential learning” combined with learning the technicalities of the English language (e.g. grammar). Teachers will be using the gers as classrooms combined with conducting lessons outdoors, in the community, or on field trips. Teachers are welcome to design activities that will foster interactive participation from their students.
As part of the community, we encourage our participants to actively engage in cultural exchange with their students and the local community, share any relevant knowledge and skills to benefit the locals, and collaborate with the local teachers and school to improve the English learning process for all students in Sagsai. As community members, program participants are expected to take advantage of the time to discover and learn all aspects of the nomadic culture and partake in the local activities.
IT’S IMPORTANT FOR US TO NOTE THIS: ASK YOURSELF - DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT MINDSET FOR THIS PROGRAM?
In order to enjoy your experience being part of the nomadic community, it is important to be respectful, open-minded, curious, and adaptable. At times, schedules and activities may change depending on what is happening in the community. Also, accommodations and transportation come with fewer amenities and comfort by western standards. You may find the roads in Mongolia challenging and uncomfortable which happen to be typical within the country. You may find that the meat dishes at lunches and dinners are repetitive. You would wish to have more vegetables and fruits in your diet. To live authentically with the community would mean living without some of the things you are accustomed to. This is inevitably a part of the camp experience. Keep in mind that the local families are welcoming you into their homes and providing you with the best meals that they can offer. So, being in a state of gratitude and positivity is a must.
The nomadic lifestyle is fluid and flexible. Hence, keep in mind that although we strictly adhere to the camp’s teaching schedules, activities outside the classes are always subject to change. We cannot emphasize enough that nomadic life is often dictated by the weather, daily routines, etc. as opposed to a rigid schedule that westerners commonly follow. We would advise participants to leave behind the notion of strictly adhering to routines and schedules in order to do well as guests in the nomadic community. Early/advance planning is not part of the culture as nomads possess a more spontaneous, go-with-the-flow attitude when it comes to carrying out their daily activities. We seek participants who can adapt to this way of living and thinking for the success and enjoyment of everyone in the program.
Join our community via our Facebook page.
JOIN kHUSVEGI ENGLISH & NOMADIC CULTURE CAMP
The teaching component of the program officially runs for four weeks. We expect our participants to fully commit to teaching the students for the full duration of the program. As part of the cultural immersion and to create a transformational travel experience, participants are expected to actively partake in the activities and excursions noted in the program. The English teaching component of the program will help cultivate a deeper connection with the locals and meaningful travel experience. To fully enjoy the program, though not required, it helps to have some interest or experience in teaching, the outdoors and working with children/youths.
For more details on the application process and to apply, see Khusvegi English & Nomadic Culture Camp Participant-Volunteer Teacher Application. Please note that there are only 8 spaces available for our participant-volunteer teacher positions. We encourage you to submit your applications early to be fully considered for the program. Please see the Terms & Conditions and Liability Waiver before applying. For questions, please send us an email (equity@browngaltrekker.com).
CAN’T JOIN US AT THE CAMP?
You can support the Sagsai community directly by donating to our GoFundMe page to raise money to build the Khusvegi Museum & English Library in Sagsai.
ARE YOU PART OF THE MEDIA?
We welcome collaborations and partnerships with members of the media and content creators. Send us a message via email (equity@browngaltrekker.com).
Photos on this page by Hattie Watson & Marinel de Jesus