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Learning shouldn’t be limited to classrooms. We all know that but as the daily grind takes over, learning often takes a backseat. Many people ApEx spoke to confessed that without classes to attend and the threat of exams looming over their heads, they weren’t very likely to try and learn something new by themselves. While that is understandable, there are some skills that can possibly give your career a boost as well as help you feel confident about yourself. The best part is that you don’t even have to spend a lot of time every day to learn these essential skills. Just a few minutes of daily practice are enough. We recommend five handy skills that can help you become better at what you do and force you to be a little creative too, which is always a good thing.

A new language

Studies have shown that learning a new language, activates different parts of your brain and slows down age related changes. Nowadays, it’s not difficult to learn a new language from the comfort of your home. There are many apps that take you through the basics of any language you want to learn in just a few minutes a day. Learning a new language might also help you be considered for promotions especially if you work for multinational companies or open up new job opportunities. You might also be able to look into cultural exchange programs, things who previously had no access to. Additionally, learning a new language is also fun and engaging.

Basic photography skills

All of us take pictures on our phones, but how many of us can actually say that the photos we take are pleasing to look at? Learn the basics of photography through tutorials on YouTube or you can even ask a professional photographer if they would let you tag along during their assignments. Most photographers will let you assist them in their projects. There are many workshops and courses, both physical and virtual, that you can join to pick up a few tips and tricks. You don’t need fancy equipment to take good photos. Just your phone will do.

Graphic design

Graphic design is used in a wide range of fields from marketing and publishing to product design. It’s a great tool of visual communication and thus more important today than ever before. No matter which profession you are in, it helps to have some knowledge of graphic design. Are you interested in print or web design or is it motion graphics that holds a special appeal? Figure out which path you wanna take and get on board with some courses. Learning graphic design is a mentally stimulating activity.

Sewing and stitching

Many people don’t know how to mend a popped button and it’s unfortunate because you end up spending a lot of time and money fixing small things. We believe sewing and stitching are skills everyone should possess. And it’s not hard to learn either. But if you can work with a needle and thread, why not take things a step further by learning how to sew and stitch some basic items. This is something you can do as a family activity as well. Think about it, won’t it be fun to wear clothes that you made yourself? And if things turn out well, you can even start thinking of running a small clothes business in the future. 

Public speaking

Everyone, irrespective of who you are and what you do, can benefit from a public speaking course. It will make you more confident and better able to express yourself. These days, many organizations and corporate houses have realized the importance of public speaking and hold workshops and training for their staff. You can also learn public speaking by listening to experts in the field and picking up pointers on how to be a more effective communicator. This is a soft skill that has huge benefits.

Despite the ongoing deterioration of the United States’ decades-long diplomatic reputation under its 47th president and his foreign policy approach, one YouTuber and streamer is changing the game as a surprising representative of America to the world. iShowSpeed, aka Darren Watkins Jr., is an American YouTuber known for his high-energy IRL (in real life) livestreams, which at their peak draw over a million viewers. But he’s more than just another influencer—in many ways, he’s become an unlikely tool of soft diplomacy and cultural representation.

What is Track II diplomacy?

In simple terms, Track II diplomacy refers to any form of cross-border engagement, cultural exchange, soft power cultivation, or interaction between nations that occurs outside official diplomatic channels. This includes activities conducted by NGOs, think tanks, academics, artists, and even individuals. While the term originated in the world of international relations as a supplementary channel—often used in times when formal (Track I) diplomacy fails—its meaning has expanded with time to include new, more decentralized forms of global engagement.

The redefinition of Track II diplomacy

Track II diplomacy is informal and non-structured. Traditionally, public figures like influencers would not be seen as part of this framework. But with the evolution of people-to-people diplomacy, digital creators like iShowSpeed now fit squarely within this expanded definition.

Through his content, Watkins promotes Western values—not through propaganda, but simply by being himself. His livestreams integrate naturally with the local cultures he visits, bringing authenticity and spontaneity to cross-cultural encounters. His personality-driven interactions bring joy, surprise, and connection to millions. He makes foreign people and places feel familiar and real, and in doing so, helps shape international perceptions in ways formal diplomacy often can’t.

But who is this streamer?

Darren Watkins Jr., known online as Speed, began as a gaming YouTuber before rising to fame through provocative stunts, viral skits, controversial moments, and relentless content creation. His love for Cristiano Ronaldo made him especially popular across the Global South. But it was his international tours—from his Europe trip in 2023 to his recent tour of China in 2025—that cemented him as a household name among Gen Z internet-goers.

To date, he has visited more than 30 countries, including India and Thailand. With his spontaneous street encounters, humorous remarks, people-first approach, and genuine curiosity, he presents each country as it is to a massive global audience. His live streams—and the short-form content clipped from them—reach tens or even hundreds of millions of viewers.

So, can he be called a diplomat?

The simple answer is: no, he is not a diplomat in the official sense. But he is a representative—an unofficial cultural ambassador of sorts. With honorary mayor status in Lima, Peru, and a meeting with Albania’s prime minister under his belt, Speed is increasingly engaged in what can only be described as digital-era diplomacy.

According to Viewstats, his YouTube channel garnered 339 million views in the past 28 days alone. When you add in shorts, clips, and social media reposts, the number easily climbs to 500 million–1 billion views a month. That is an unmatched platform—an opportunity any tourism-reliant country should seriously consider tapping into.

His recent IRL streams from China gained huge traction online. Many western viewers even described his unfiltered portrayal of the country as a refreshing counter to decades of anti-China narratives. The Embassy of China in the US praised him in a tweet: “The 20-year-old… is bridging cultural gaps and creating alternative channels for foreign audiences to understand a vibrant China.”

A call for a lobby

Given Speed’s influence, and the fact that he has previously expressed a desire to visit Nepal (a clip is linked), this is the moment for Nepal to act. A joint initiative by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), or other relevant agencies and stakeholders could use this opportunity to invite him. 

With Speed recently concluding his Mongolia visit and not having declared his next destination, now is the perfect time. Whether through official or unofficial channels, Nepal could become the next stage for a cultural spotlight of immense scale. His visit could bring unmatched global attention to our temples, mountains, food, traditions, and everyday people.

The changing world of engagement

As the world grapples with growing isolationism, deglobalization, and geopolitical tensions, the internet remains a rare unifying thread. In this climate, content creators—streamers, YouTubers, influencers—function as informal ambassadors. They shape narratives, build bridges, and create empathy across borders.

This is more than just tourism promotion. It’s people-to-people diplomacy. It’s democratic soft power in action. Through the web, we see that people everywhere laugh, cry, hope, and dream in similar ways. These shared human experiences matter more than treaties, summits, or statecraft. Speed may not be a traditional diplomat—but in today’s world, he represents something just as powerful: connection.

Dibya Deep Acharya, International Relations, MA, Tribhuvan University

Storage is one of the most important aspects of every home. We all need it and lots of it too. But it’s often the one thing we lack. As we accumulate stuff over the years, we run out of space to keep them all and find ourselves struggling to manage our homes.

Proper storage can be a lifesaver. And the good thing is that you don’t need big homes for extra storage space. There are plenty of ingenious ideas that you can use to maximize storage space in your homes. Here we present some great storage solutions that can help you keep your home clutter free (and no, we aren’t going to tell you to stow things under the bed).

Functional coffee tables and ottomans

A great coffee table can make your living space come alive but it can also double as storage. These days, you can get tables with hidden storage space underneath them or those with shelves on the sides instead of legs. You can also customize your own coffee table to suit your needs. Build a deep one with storage inside or choose one where the top moves to varying heights depending on how much stuff you put underneath. You can also use ottomans as coffee tables. You simply have to put a wooden or metallic tray on top to display items you normally would like vases or coasters on the center table. Ottomans are great storage solutions as they look sleek and can be made in all kinds of shapes and sizes.

Baskets and boxes

Pretty baskets and boxes can be used to store things out of sight. From towels and toilet paper to charging cables and makeup items, you can store almost anything in big wicker baskets or lovely paper boxes with interesting designs on them. This will help keep your home tidy as well as maintain a sense of order. Most of the time, similar things tend to be kept in different drawers and in many places. Grouping them together and storing them in boxes and baskets can save space and help you find them easily when you need them. We suggest you get paper boxes in the same color to store similar items. For example, get green boxes for cords and electrical items, yellow for makeup and other personal knick knacks, and blue for medicines and such supplies. This can help you identify items without having to open each box.

Hidden storage spaces

You can have a local carpenter build simple shelves and cabinets in unused spaces like below the staircase and forgotten corners of your home like the awkward space between two rooms or the landing of the stairs. You can find many great designs on Pinterest and even Instagram. You can also strategically stow filing cabinets in corners of your home to maximize space or build concealed shelves along the walls. There are plenty of sleek cabinet designs that merge seamlessly on the walls. If you have a window space that is unused, consider building a seating area along the length of it. You can have storage underneath the seats. This idea can also be used in dining table benches or your living room sofa. The key here is to look at furniture pieces with a fresh eye and figure out which can double as storage space.

Kitchen island

Kitchen spaces need to be functional and practical. But they also tend to be the most under-utilized space in terms of storage. Just because a kitchen is where you cook your meals doesn’t mean it can’t be a space where you can aesthetically store your utensils and equipment. A kitchen island can be a great way to incorporate functionality into your space while adding tons of storage to it. Consider building one in the center of your kitchen. The top can be used to do all the work like chopping and prepping for meals while you can store pretty much anything in the cabinets and drawers underneath. If you think having an island at the center of your kitchen might make the area seem congested, you can also build a smaller one on one side of the area to ensure it doesn’t get in the way.

Revamp your entryway

Oftentimes, the entryway in your homes is the most unused and empty space in the house. At the most, we will have a table there to drop our keys and wallets. Otherwise it’s just a place that connects your front door to the rest of the house, a space you don’t give much thought to while decorating. Make use of this space while trying to maximize storage in your home. You don’t need a large lobby area to do this. A simple bench with storage underneath to put your shoes and maybe a rack to hang your bags and coats can keep this area from becoming cluttered. You can also use a large cabinet to partition the area from the rest of your space and use this as additional storage. 

Law Day is observed on May 9 and serves as a timely reminder of the foundational role that law plays in building an equitable and democratic society. In Nepal, Law Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and shortcomings of our legal system while fostering dialogue about the reforms necessary for a stronger future. It’s a time to honor legal professionals, acknowledge the importance of the rule of law, and commit ourselves to improving access to justice for all. ApEx spoke to three women law students to talk about the importance of law and how it can be improved in the education system.

Sadiksha Nepal

Fourth year, BA LLB, Chakrabarti College of Law

Over the years, I’ve learned a lot—about our legal system, our laws and regulations, and the structure of governance. But I haven’t had the chance to apply what I’ve learned. Sometimes, I feel like a bookworm—filled with theory but lacking real-world experience. The reality is our legal education system is still outdated. Most law colleges don’t have proper libraries, updated books, digital resources, or even well-functioning moot courts. Students often rely on personal copies of old materials. While some colleges offer internships and legal clinics, they are limited and not accessible to everyone. Most of our time is spent memorizing theory and preparing for exams instead of working with real clients or learning how the system functions outside the classroom. Workshops or mentorship to help us handle real-life moral challenges are extremely rare. Our textbooks are often outdated, and recent legal developments rarely make it into our syllabi on time. Colleges offer almost no career counselling or placement support so we’re left to build networks on our own. On top of that, the fees are so high that it’s a struggle for students from middle- or lower-income families.

Sanjita Khadka 

Third Semester, BA LLB, National Law College

The future of Nepal’s legal system is likely to be bright as AI and technology plays in e-filing and digital record-keeping, but cyber security will be a challenge. Environmental and climate laws are expected to be expanded to address Nepal’s risk of catastrophes and to align with international conventions such as the Paris Accord. To attract investment, Nepal may further make its business and intellectual property laws compatible with international standards. Emerging trends such as ADR and better legal education will help ease court overcrowding and prepare practicing lawyers for the real world. Legal education in Nepal can be enhanced by revising curricula to include practical skills (e.g., moot courts, drafting of laws). Developing teaching capabilities through training and international collaboration, technology integration (e-learning platform, online research tools), would enhance quality and accessibility. Partnerships with law firms, NGOs, and courts for internships and clinics bridge theory-practice gaps. Stricter accreditation by the governing bodies like the Nepal Bar Council is needed to bring about uniformity and accountability.

Puja Basnet

Fifth year, BA LLB, Kathmandu School of Law

With the adoption of the Constitution of Nepal 2015, Nepal is transitioning to a democratic and federal structure, and the legal system will be more inclusive and accessible than ever. The rapid technological advancement, however, will be a challenge for Nepal’s conventional legal framework, but with reform and modernization, embracing the technology will pave the way for ensuring timely justice and further strengthening the rule of law. Nepal needs to better train the available human resources and adopt technology-driven solutions to efficiently and effectively manage the caseload. As a law student, I have felt that the current legal education doesn’t adequately prepare us to meet the practical demands of the legal profession. The current academic structure is designed primarily to foster theoretical knowledge, and while it’s equally important, in the absence of essential practical skills, the transition from students to lawyers becomes difficult. To bridge this gap, legal education should be upgraded and skill-based training, such as moot court, internships, and clinical education, needs to be prioritized.