I never thought that I would eventually end up being at Iowa State University teaching or advising students...but I feel that I am here for a purpose to motivate students not only to be successful academically but also to become global citizens.
As a Nepal native and socio-economic community development practitioner, Dr. Ramesh Balayar has a deep understanding of the value that the region has to offer students both academically and personally. He hopes that Exploring Ecosystem Services and Subsistence Farming Activities in Rural Nepal exposes students to the challenges that smallholder farmers, particularly women, face each day when met with issues such as climate change and how that has contributed significantly to the collapse of their operations and livelihood.
Dr. Balayar recalls his upbringing in a very remote village in western Nepal as extremely harsh. Good schools and good teachers were difficult to come by in such a village, and he had to drop out twice when going through middle school and high school before eventually making it to college. His five siblings experienced the same hardships, making Dr. Balayar the only one to finish his schooling and make it as far as he has in his career.
“That’s why I’m so passionate about being in education. I never thought that I would eventually end up being at Iowa State University teaching or advising students...but I feel that I am here for a purpose to motivate students not only to be successful academically but also to become global citizens. Perhaps these are the reasons I sometimes feel frustrated when students don’t come to class, don’t pay attention to class activities, don’t ask questions, or don’t take their education seriously... I came from such a difficult background and worked so hard to achieve an education, which made me realize the sheer importance of education... I am increasingly realizing that there’s no other field that could make me more joyful than being in education and encouraging young people.” -Dr. Ramesh Balayar
When taking on his role as an Assistant Teaching Professor and Academic Faculty Advisor at Iowa State University, Dr. Balayar had no idea that many students here in the United States also face struggles when it comes to completing their education. Although they may be under slightly different circumstances, he validated that college presents obstacles for everyone and knew that it was an area where he could step in as an advocate.
The longing to return to Nepal has always been there for Dr. Balayar. Connecting back to his home is constantly on his mind, which was why he chose to obtain many of his degrees and conduct much of his research in Nepal and based on Nepali people. With the help of Dr. David Peters and Jodi Cornell, Dr. Balayar recognized the ability he had with the resources surrounding him to make his vision of connecting Iowan students to his home country a reality.
Both faculty advisors wanted to ensure that students were going to receive a comprehensive and authentic experience when traveling to Nepal that encompassed everything from the heritage and cultural value of the region to interactions with village farmers to the gorgeous landscapes and wildlife. They have done just that by building out an itinerary that travels between Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Pokhara. Dr. Balayar is hopeful that this program will provide a life-changing experience for students, opening their eyes to agriculture on a global scale and the challenges that developing countries face.
When Dr. Ramesh Balayar isn’t preparing for his travels later this Spring, he can be found writing and publishing poetry in Nepali and his local, native dialect. Many of these poems center around nature, humanity, and his upbringing, which Dr. Balayar finds to be very healing to write.