Navraj is exceptional, making significant contributions to his chosen field, carrying forward the values instilled in him during his time at Kopila Valley School. His academic accomplishments, coupled with his well-rounded development, provide him with a solid foundation for success in his professional and personal endeavors. He is intelligent, ambitious, creative, and with his authenticity, he creates a profound impact on the world around him. 

We are all young, we are all old, we are all unique and beautiful in our own ways. The way Navraj sees it, life all comes down to learning as much as you can in your lifetime, and experiences dramatically change people’s lives. 

Navraj enrolled in Kopila Valley School when it first opened. He shares with us only joyous experiences. “From the moment I stepped foot onto the grounds, I was captivated by the vibrant atmosphere and the warm embrace of the community.  The school itself was a haven of learning and creativity. I transformed into an enthusiastic and eager student, wanting to expand my knowledge and explore the world around me. What truly set Kopila Valley School apart for me was its emphasis on holistic education.” Navraj thrived in Kopila Valley School. He always scored top marks, participated in debate competitions, speech competitions, and even played soccer.  “But my favorite part has to be when I could come and play on the Kopila Valley grounds after school. I made so many memories with my friends there.” He graduated in the year 2017 and went on to pursue his A levels (degree with a variety of subjects) for two years with the support of Blinknow. 

After 2 years of A levels, Navrajs’s journey was not exactly easy, as he recalls. “I was actually striving to go to Germany to study. I was even taking German for six months, but then Covid-19 came, causing a halt in my dream and aspirations. I was home, doing nothing and possibly aimless.” After the lockdown ended, Navraj went back to Kathmandu only to be left in confusion. He had to start German from the beginning, which he quickly thought was a waste of time. Needing a course that would get him ready for a challenging university, he began his determination to complete IELTS (the International English Language Testing System). After his rigorous work, he passed the test and applied for a visa. And in no time, he booked a flight and left the country. 

In the UK, Navraj is studying Mechanical Engineering at DE Montfort University, Leicester. 

Now, juggling work and university life, he has become a responsible adult. 

“The UK is renowned for its world-class universities, vibrant student life, and cultural diversity, and I’ve had the opportunity to immerse myself in all of it.”  He has worked as a waiter, he has worked in a delivery factory, food factory, and whatever he could get his hands on. He says that earning a living has instilled a stronger? sense of responsibility. It gives him the push he needs in a foreign land. Humble about his achievements, he believes that patience, support, and perseverance are the winning ingredients. And that ‘losses are equally defining.’ 

“It warms my heart that I am able to create myself an opportunity to get a leg up across the universe, away from home without any family members close by. Maybe Kopila Valley School prepared me for it, maybe I learnt along my journey of growth, but whatever it is, life is an exploration.” The value of his unique perspective on life has taken him a long way. Coming in 2023, he can’t wait to find out what fate has planned for him and what amazing experiences he gets to experience and learn from. 

To his juniors, he says, 

“Dear Juniors, as an alumnus of this esteemed school, I want to take a moment to share some valuable advice with all of you. I vividly remember the mixture of excitement and nervousness I felt when I was in your shoes, eagerly embarking on my own education journey. Now, having experienced the ups and downs, successes and failures, I have come a long way. I hope you learn to embrace challenges, be curious and seek knowledge, build a strong network, and pursue your passions.”  

We are thrilled to have one of our very own Kopila Valley School graduates write this guest blogger series and share alumni stories! Anjali Karki graduated in 2019 and is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism along with a journalism career. We can’t wait to see what each of these world-changers does next. Follow us on social media with the series hashtag (#NarrateYourKopilaStory) for more about these young adults and their adventures.