Is this an in person program and do I need to be present the whole time?

Yes, QUSA is conceptualised as a month-long living program and you need to be able to commit to dates 24 January through 22 February, including arrival and departure.

Am I eligible if I am currently in university?

You are more than welcome to apply even if you are enrolled in another tertiary program – including a Bachelors or a Masters degree. However, please be aware that this is a full-time commitment and, in our experience, it would be hard to balance the two. We cannot make any exceptions and will ask that you prioritise this program if you apply and are invited to participate.

Do I get any payment for this programme?

This is a fully funded programme with travel and accommodation covered by QUSA. On arrival, you will receive a 30,000 NPR per diem for the month in cash.

Do you pay for visa costs?

Nepal offers a free visa on arrival for the first entry for 30 days for all South Asian passport holders. In this spirit, we do not cover visa fees. If you wish to stay in Nepal longer than 30 days or if this is your 2nd visit in the year, we ask that you cover your own fees. If you hold a non-South Asian passport and live in South Asia, we will, in general, not cover visa fees for those holding a Global North passport.

Am I eligible to apply for QUSA if I am not South Asian?

As long as you identify as being currently based and working in South Asia, you are eligible to apply. If you are a South Asian passport holder living outside South Asia at the moment (whether on a temporary or permanent visa), you are not eligible for this program at the moment.

Do I need a passport to travel to Nepal?

Yes! All South Asian citizens (except Nepali and Indian citizens) need a passport with at least 6 months’ validity to travel to Nepal. Please ensure you have a valid passport that is valid for 6 months after your return to your home country. If you don’t have this, please do apply immediately, as we anticipate booking your ticket in early January 2026, if you are selected. 

Indian nationals can travel to Nepal with a Voter ID card. In some cases, it may be better and more convenient for you to travel to Nepal by bus/train, and we will discuss this if you are selected, depending on where you are coming from. If you are Indian, please make sure your Voter ID, Aadhaar, or PAN card is updated, with the date of birth clearly visible.

I am not out, nor do I come from a country where my queer identity is legal. What steps do you take to ensure my safety?

We fully understand and empathise. At QUSA, we are not here to ‘out’ anybody and will aim to protect your privacy and support you as best as we can. Your invitation letter will in no way indicate that you are coming for a queer residency programme. 

Where social media is used for the QUSA programme, you are free to use a pseudonym on social media and not use your picture. 

QUSA is documented, and you are welcome to hide your face. We will discuss this on a case-by-case basis, and everything is through consent, which can be withdrawn at any time.

While we cannot guarantee complete safety, we will aim to support you as best as we can. ❤

What is the living situation at Kaalo.101?

There are 6 rooms for QUSA participants: 4 smaller rooms for single accommodation and two larger rooms shared. All participants will live in the same house and have access to 3 shared bathrooms and one kitchen. 

In the front house, there are spaces for workshops – the whole building becomes a workshop space – including the rooftop and rooms. Aziz Sohail and Helena/Hunter will also live at Kaalo.101, and you will have four dogs and two chickens to keep you company, as well as lots of plants and art!

Is Kaalo.101 an accessible space?

Unfortunately, Kaalo.101, and most of the city of Patan, is not wheelchair friendly and those with mobility needs should be aware of old footpaths, broken areas and construction. Kaalo.101 spans three floors with stairs, bedrooms and workspaces on each floor. We apologise that we cannot offer a completely access-friendly experience. At the moment, this is beyond our structural capacity.

Tell me more about living together – how does it happen?

Living together with other participants is part of the QUSA experience (as well as Kaalo.101), and an important aim of our program. We do not believe in staying in expensive hotels and not being connected to our surroundings. There is a rotating chore list – which includes cleaning, watering, gardening, etc, and we ask that everyone participates in this. We do have daily cleaning of the communal areas and bathrooms organised, but ask that you support us in keeping the spaces clean. 

Please be aware that Patan is experiencing a water shortage, so we need to be mindful of shower time (you can take a daily shower, but it should be short!). We don’t want to rely on private water tankers and add to the extractive economy around us. 🙂

What is your policy on substance use?

At QUSA, we have a policy of not providing any alcohol during any of our mandated events. At the collective dinner, which is a traditional Newari Bhoe, there will be alcohol. At the closing event on the 21st February 2026, there will be alcohol available for purchase. To not invite police and legal intervention, Kaalo.101 maintains a drug-free environment. Overall, the QUSA team wants to underscore that we treat ourselves and our shared spaces responsibly and exercise maximum care and respect for the community regarding alcohol intake and the use of other substances, ensuring the comfort of the Kaalo.101 residents and our neighbours. We believe you are adults and can regulate and take care of yourself accordingly. Any substance abuse-related escalations will not be tolerated.

Tell me more about mental health support!

We understand that participants do come from diverse backgrounds and may be traveling for the first time. We want to be transparent that the workshops can require a level of openness and participation which can evoke all sorts of emotions. The nature of the programme of QUSA, requires a lot of intimacy and vulnerability. We make as much space as we can for weekly check-ins and for staying in touch with our minds and bodies. In addition, each participant has access to 2 sessions with a South Asian trans-counsellor, Layla. These are organised digitally on request and are entirely private.

Anything else I should know?

Kaalo.101 is a self-organized residential and cultural space, administered and managed by almost entirely an afab team. Safety of the house and its residents, and the positive relationship of the team with their neighbours is crucial. For this reason, there will be a written undertaking signed at the beginning of the QUSA between participants and Kaalo.101 that acts as an agreement towards collective safety and respect. This needs to be mindfully read and understood to ensure the Unschool is safe, enjoyable and tension-free for everyone involved. 🙂