In the heart of Pokhara, Kaski, Nepal, amidst the serene beauty of the Himalayan foothills, a luminary named Som Gurung entered the world on the 6th of February, 1963. A son of Nepal, he embodied rich experiences that transcended borders, much like the rivers that meander through the valleys.
This distinguished man, now a proud U.S. citizen, found solace in the harmonious blend of Hindu and Buddhist philosophies. His Asian heritage infused him with resilience, a quality akin to the strength of a bamboo grove swaying gracefully in the monsoon winds.
His life, similar to a captivating novel, is a story of exploration and selfless dedication. He thrives in the art of teaching, revealing the mysteries of knowledge like a wise sage from antiquity.
Som Gurung possesses a unique talent—the ability to bridge cultures and languages with the grace of a diplomat. He can weave linguistic threads, effortlessly transitioning between English, Nepali, Hindi, and Japanese.
His academic achievements are milestones on his journey.
He earned a Master’s degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Tribhuvan University in 2003. His educational foundation was laid at the same institution, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1988. Prithvi Narayan Campus in Pokhara, Nepal, witnessed his intermediate-level education in 1984, while Mahendra Higher Secondary School in Bhalam, Kaski, Nepal, nurtured him during his high school years in 1980. In 2007 he then went to do ESL Advance Level certification at BCCC Baltimore.
A significant chapter of his life unfolded as the Academic Dean at Bal Kalyan English High School in Pokhara, Nepal, from 1992 to 1998. His role as an English and Social Studies teacher at SOS Hermann Gmiener High School and St. Mary’s School in Pokhara, Nepal, from 1988 to 1990, left an indelible mark on young hearts and minds.
His influence reached beyond borders. In Japan, he served as the on-site Country Director for the Buddha Foundation from 1999 to 2003, facilitating cultural exchange. As the Executive Director of PABSON (Association of Private Schools in Nepal) in Kaski, Nepal, from 2002 to 2004, he encouraged private education.
He is also the founder and principal of Nepal Adarsha High School, where he nurtured the dreams of countless young minds. As the District Superintendent overseeing the Nepal SLC Board Examination in 2004, 2005, and 2006 in Kaski district, he was the architect of educational progress.
He also had the privilege to be part of the community involvements, throughout his life that were expanded over numerous positions, such as the General Secretary of Heralo Academy, Pokhara, Nepal, from 1999 to 2001, then as Educational Director of the Tamu (Gurung) Cultural Academy Nepal from 2000 to 2004.
He was also President of the NH Nepali Community from 2017 to 2019 and re-elected from 2019 to 2021, championing the welfare of his people. He has been a dedicated Board of Directors member at the Manchester (Amoskeag) Community Health Center, Manchester, NH, USA, since 2017, fortifying the foundations of healthcare.
Som’s additional leadership roles also include General Secretary of the New Hampshire Nepali Community (NHNC) (2011-2015), Advisor to the Gurung Society in Northern California (2009-2011), Chairperson of the Greater Washington Gurung Society MD (2007-2009), and Executive Member of the Association of Nepalese in Americas (2007-2009).
Entrepreneurship is another facet of his brilliance, as he founded Nepal Adarsha Higher Secondary Boarding School and Everest Community Care Services, Manchester, New Hampshire, USA. Som Gurung’s life is a masterpiece, a work of art where every stroke of experience adds depth and color. His journey is not just a story; it is a legacy of harmonizing cultures, languages, and communities, leaving an indelible mark on the canvas of humanity