Focusing on Kathmandu as a beginner-friendly destination, Prof Rahman guided students through the essentials of travel planning, budgeting and cultural awareness. He highlighted the role of travel in personal growth and independence, encouraging students to explore new cultures responsibly. A video presentation showcasing key attractions helped participants visualise Kathmandu’s heritage, lifestyle and travel opportunities. He also expressed pride in seeing Bangladeshi ride-sharing platform Pathao operating successfully in Nepal as one of the leading travel apps used by visitors.

The session offered detailed budgeting advice, noting that students could plan a comfortable yet economical international trip within a range of BDT 25,000 to 50,000. Prof Rahman advised prioritising affordable experiences over luxury and recommended flights for a first overseas journey where possible. He shared practical booking strategies, including exploring multi-city routes such as Dhaka–Kolkata–Kathmandu to reduce airfare costs, and emphasised booking tickets early to secure lower fares. Students were also introduced to travel platforms including ShareTrip for flights, as well as Booking.com and Airbnb for accommodation planning.

While discussing accommodation options, Prof Rahman encouraged students to choose safe, clean and hygienic stays rather than luxury hotels, highlighting the financial benefits of staying in central locations. He specifically recommended the Thamel area of Kathmandu for its accessibility and affordability. Additional travel preparation tips covered currency matters, SIM card arrangements, carrying two passport-size photographs, and using digital tools such as Google Maps and Google Translate to navigate unfamiliar settings. Students were also informed that the time difference between Dhaka and Kathmandu is only 15 minutes, making travel coordination easier.

Prof Rahman further stressed the importance of responsible cultural engagement. He advised students to dress modestly, respect local religious practices, maintain polite behaviour and avoid loud or disruptive conduct. He also cautioned about Nepal’s monsoon season, noting that heavy rainfall can affect travel plans, and suggested avoiding December and January due to extremely cold weather.

Concluding the session, Prof Rahman reminded students that meaningful travel is rooted in personal growth rather than luxury, leaving participants with the message that a first trip is about independence, not indulgence.

The session ended with active student participation and interactive discussions, reflecting strong enthusiasm among attendees. The ULAB Co-Curricular Office expressed its appreciation to all students who took part and contributed to making the programme engaging, informative and impactful.