For many Nepali students, studying
abroad can feel overwhelming, confusing applications, uncertainty about
scholarships and pressure to “follow the crowd.” But for Bikalpa Panthi, currently a third-year
student at Duke Kunshan University in
China, the journey has been less about chasing prestige and more about
understanding himself, building a unique identity, and staying curious.
Speaking in an interview, Bikalpa
reflected on leadership, scholarships in China, and what continues to motivate
him even after achieving significant milestones at a young age.
Leadership
Is Not About Standing Alone
Asked about leadership, Bikalpa was
quick to challenge the idea that leadership is always individualistic. Drawing
comparisons between Nepal and abroad, he noted that progress often comes from groups and collective efforts, not
lone heroes.
“In Nepal, sometimes it’s hard for a
single person to move things forward,” he explained. “Abroad too, leadership
usually happens within groups’ student unions, organizations and communities.”
However, he also highlighted a key
difference: abroad, people tend to be more open. Even if someone approaches
opportunities alone, they are often welcomed. Over time, Bikalpa learned that
leadership doesn’t mean forcing independence but it means blending into groups, contributing
meaningfully and growing from within.
Interestingly, leadership was not
something he initially sought. Once involved, however, he began to stand out
through consistent engagement and community work. His efforts were eventually
recognized with awards such as Best
Representative of the Year and Emerging
Student Leader of the Year. At present, he serves as the president of his university’s student body,
with plans to continue next semester as an advisor.
“Once you’re in leadership, there’s
no stopping,” he said.
The
Scholarship Journey: Identity Over Rankings
Bikalpa’s academic path began in
Nepal, where he studied at IOE Pulchowk
before moving to China. He emphasized that the application process is often
perceived as complicated, but in reality, it is quite similar across
universities.
When he applied to Duke University,
he did not even know much about Duke Kunshan University at first. A single
application allowed his profile to be considered across multiple Duke campuses,
leading to several interviews. Eventually, he was offered a full-tuition scholarship that also
covered food and accommodation, though insurance costs were his responsibility.
What made his application stand out
was not just academics, but extracurricular
depth. Bikalpa had represented Nepal at the Mental Math World Cup, becoming the first Nepali to do so. What
many once dismissed as unnecessary “just use a calculator” became a defining
part of his identity.
He also authored a book on Vedic math at a young age, worked as a
teaching assistant at Kathmandu
Metropolitan City, and held contract roles with two companies in Nepal.
These experiences, he believes, made his profile unique.
“My priority was not a country,” he
said. “It was to get into a good university.”
He cautioned students against
blindly chasing rankings, noting that Duke Kunshan University despite not
appearing prominently in global rankings is supported by strong institutions
like Duke University (USA) and Wuhan University (China), making it innovative,
well-resourced and academically solid.
Scholarship
Opportunities in China for Nepali Students
Bikalpa highlighted that China offers strong scholarship opportunities, particularly through:
·
CSC
(Chinese Government Scholarship)
·
Scholarships at top universities
like Peking University and Tsinghua University
·
Sino-foreign
universities, where instruction is often in
English
He explained that many scholarships
cover tuition and provide monthly stipends, allowing students to manage
accommodation and living expenses. Beyond China, he stressed that embassy scholarships such as those offered
by the Japanese government are often overlooked by Nepali students.
“People don’t explore enough,” he
said. “Instead of scrolling through social media, they should be finding the
right people, asking questions, and being curious.”
Growth
Fueled by Curiosity, Not Comfort
Despite his achievements, Bikalpa does
not see himself as “anything special.” What continues to drive him, he said, is
curiosity. From mental math and
abacus techniques to psychology and pedagogy, he is constantly looking for the
next learning step.
He spoke warmly about the global
connections he made through competitions; friends from Germany, Algeria, India,
Canada and beyond. These networks shaped his worldview and reminded him that
growth often comes from unexpected places.
Even when resources were limited, he
continued teaching, sometimes distributing his books for free, believing that knowledge should be shared rather than
protected.
Currently, his focus has shifted
toward education consulting,
understanding how the human mind works, and exploring effective learning
techniques. He is open to research, collaboration, and even writing academic
papers in the future but without rigid expectations.
“I don’t plan too far ahead,” he
said. “I just keep learning.”
A
Message to Nepali Students
In closing, Bikalpa shared a
grounded message for students deciding between studying in Nepal or going
abroad.
“There are opportunities in Nepal
too,” he said. “Studying abroad is not for everyone and that’s okay.”
He encouraged students to think
clearly, consider family and financial realities, and avoid blindly following
trends or peer pressure.
“Don’t do things just to show
others,” he said. “Balance everything, understand what works for you, and then
take your next step.”
For Bikalpa Panthi, success has
never been about racing ahead, it has been about choosing thoughtfully, learning deeply, and growing with purpose.
