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1 .5 Week Sample Faculty Led India Program(7 Cities, Service, Site Visits & Optional Homestay)
Named a “Top Ten Program” by the Center for Citizen Diplomacy and the State Department
$1585
1 .5 Week Sample Faculty Led India Program
(7 Cities, Service, Site Visits and Optional Homestay)
Program Introduction
Since time immemorial, India has been the cradle of fascinating cultures, glorious history and rich architecture, for which the country earned a distinct spot for itself on the world map. People from far-off continents embarked on perilous voyages to this country to soak up the idiosyncratic cultural experiences that this country had to offer. India is famous for its ancient and magnificent temples, tombs and forts, embodying world-class architecture and reflecting diverse artistic influences from the Far East, Europe and Middle East. The country is equally famous for its natural, traditional fabrics and indigenous crafts carved out of semi-precious/precious stones and metals. India also boasts of a rich linguistic scene—here 30 languages boast of having a population of more than a million native speakers.
There's a lot more to contemporary India than its mix of cultural traditions, history, architecture and art. Modern India is a thriving hub of technological innovation and business. Yet with economic progress come insurmountable challenges. Modern India is riddled with social problems and is hence a good location for students, who are interested in understanding issues of community development, peace and social justice.
In India, our students will not only take a headlong plunge into its intoxicating culture and history, but will also understand its non-profit and corporate sectors better, learning in-depth about the development issues that the country encounters as well as the enormous strides that it has made in. In fact, our 1.5-week program in India will help students get to the bottom of the quintessential Indian experience. Through volunteer opportunities in local non-profit organizations, visits to high tech companies, academic excursions and an optional homestay family experiences, students will gain a thorough understanding of its culture, history, language and traditions. Additionally, through site visits to local high tech companies, students will understand the breakneck speed with which the country is progressing in the field of technology and innovation.
Students will visit various sites of historical and cultural interest in India. These activities, coupled with our academic excursions to selected locations in and around Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Bangalore, will facilitate a diverse introduction to the Indian life, culture, and history. Students will enjoy healthy and tasty local Indian meals throughout the program.
Afternoon Volunteer Service Learning in Non-Profit Organizations
Most of our placements involve teaching English to disadvantaged children. For teaching placements, we have partnered with several local NGOs, which are devoted to helping children from a variety of disadvantaged backgrounds including homeless children, the children of migrant workers, and children from economically-challenged groups. By teaching basic English to these disadvantaged children, students will indirectly give them the skills that they need to escape poverty. Through this activity, participant students will not only immerse themselves in Indian culture, but will also learn about community and developmental issues faced by a well-developed Indian metropolis.
Visit to a High Tech Company
The “Silicon Valley of India” boasts of quite a few industry leaders in the high tech sector, including Microsoft and Google. Some of the brightest minds of the county are employed in this industry. Through a visit to one such high tech company, students in this program will be able to learn about the experience and aspirations of locals in these industries and gain insights into the inner workings of a typical IT company.
Program Components
About Minds AbroadMinds Abroad is a US-based organization that conducts study abroad programs in Asia for both individual students and customized groups from colleges and universities. Most of our programs are a blend of morning classes, afternoon volunteering, internships or language exchange sessions, evening cultural activities and weekend excursions to sites of educational value.
We were recently named as a “Top 10 Program in Citizen Diplomacy” by the Center for Citizen Diplomacy and U.S. State Department.
The program price includes costs of activities that are listed in this booklet. These activities include:
- Tickets to cultural sites and cultural performances listed in the program
- Morning volunteer service learning placement- High tech company visit- Shared rooms in comfortable guesthouses or
homestay accommodation in Bangalore- A private bedroom is possible for a supplement of
$499- All meals during the days of the program- Land transportation to sites listed in the programs- Detailed in-country orientation within the first few
days of arrival
The fee of our programs DOES NOT include visa processing fees or the cost of international airfare to Asia and back home. Some additional fully refundable deposits which are not included within the quoted participation fee but are to be paid along with program fee:
- Refundable housing deposit ($200) - This is a deposit covering the student's housing. The deposit is returned to the students on conclusion of stay, less any damages.
Program Price and Items Included in the Program Price
Optional Homestay ExperienceAs a part of the quintessential Indian experience, student groups can stay with an Indian family. In fact, homestay experience is at the center of most cultural immersion programs. By coming in direct contact with an Indian family and living with people from a completely different background in very close quarters, students will get an idea about the intricacies of Indian social conventions, traditions and values. If lucky, students might have the chance to witness typically Indian religious and cultural rituals, participate in social functions and make friends for life. Delicious home-cooked meals served by a loving mother figure will be an added incentive for student groups.
Academic Excursions to Sites Of Historic And Cultural Interest As part of this program, students will be brought to fast-paced, modern cities like Delhi, the political capital of India and a treasure trove of Mughal architecture and to Bangalore, the technology hub and knowledge capital of India. Students will also visit locations steeped in spirituality and natural beauty such as Coorg and Mangalore as well as sites known for their cultural heritage, artistic achievements and unique craft traditions such as Agra, Jaipur and Mysore.
Program Components (Continued)
Delhi
Filled with incongruities and surprises, the current Indian capital was once the capital of the Mughal Empire during Shah Jahan's reign. Now home to innumerable historical monuments and beautiful parks, this world-class city is endowed with a planned city center from the late days of the British India. The narrow lanes in the city's older quarters are equally fascinating for their dazzling displays of traditional artwork.
Agra
Agra is one of the most historic cities of India and most importantly, home to the iconic monument of Taj Mahal, one of the “Seven Wonders of the World” and a vision in white. In addition to the Taj, Agra is a treasure-trove of other historic wonders, including the Fatehpur Sikri, nicknamed as the 'Deserted City' of red sandstone and Agra Fort, another excellent example of Mughal architecture. Navigating the dusty alleys of the city can be a rewarding and culturally enriching experience.
Cities Introduction
Jaipur
The Pink City, as it is endearingly called, Jaipur is a walled, historic city strewn with majestic ancient palaces and forts, whose resplendent glory is a constant reminder of a bygone era. Apart from its clamorous bazaars, its out-of-the-world forts hovering over its hills and its palaces with remarkable architecture, Jaipur is a city that is irrepressibly on the move, with camel carts and cows staggering through its crowds, rickshaws angrily overtaking hordes of business men and a steady stream of intrepid and curious travellers in the city's heart.
Cities Introduction (continued)
Bangalore
Bangalore, one of India's most happening metropolises, is known worldwide as the IT capital and “Silicon Valley” of the country. As a city aiming to attract significant foreign direct investment (FDI), Bangalore h a s m a d e i n c r e d i b l e s t r i d e s i n i n f r a s t r u c t u r e d e v e l o p m e n t , a n d established itself as a hub for talented young people from across the country.
The city is also dotted with innumerable cultural symbols that have lent it its quintessential charm and cultural identity.
Another attractive feature of Bangalore is its climate, which verges on being cool, dry and pleasant, interspersed with occasional showers.
Cities Introduction (continued)
Mysore
Mysore, a city of more than 600 years of glorious historic heritage and the cultural capital of the South Indian state of Karnataka, is full of old world charm. The precincts of its royal palaces bear the stamp of the distinct culture of a regal era. A short tour of this city will give a visitor an insight into
the dazzling royal heritage of its regency era.
Coorg
Hidden behind the brooding hills of southernmost Karnataka, is the lush-green Coorg (Kodagu), known for its fabled landscapes and sprawling plantations of coffee. Coorg has still retained its distinct flavor. Its natural beauty is still not spoilt by mass tourism and commercialization. This
time-warp hill-station is home to the largest Tibetan settlement in India and if someone wants to have a peek into a slice of Tibetan life, Coorg is the ideal destination, as it is a microcosm of all Tibetan cultures.
Mangalore
Once a foremost trading port, Mangalore now tops the itinerary of an intrepid traveler for its o f f - t h e - b e ate n b e a c h e s a n d s e n s at i o n a l , distinctive coastal cuisines. Located on the estuaries of the beautiful Netravathi and Gurupur Rivers on the Arabian Sea coast, Mangalore is particularly inviting for someone, who wants to enjoy the tranquil charm of the Arabian sea away from the stresses and strains of life back home. A generous helping of fish-curry smothered in coconut juice and exotic spices after a long,
lazy stroll across its impressive coastal frontage is just another reason to head to this town for a day or two.
MONSept 30th
TUEOct 1st
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CalendarMON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4
InTransit Delhi Delhi Delhi/Agra
Depart home country.
AM &PM: Arrive in Delhi and adjust to
the jetlag and rest. Evening:
Welcome dinner and if time permits, visit the
iconic Humayun's Tomb and the
adjacent Lodhi Garden.
AM: Start the grand tour of the
Red Fort, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Visit Jama Masjid, India's most
renowned mosque. PM: Visit
Qutab Minar (the world's tallest brick minaret and
another UNESCO
Heritage Site) and
the Mehrauli
Archaelogical
Park.
AM: Have breakfast, and
then drive to Agra. Tour Taj
Mahal.PM & Evening: Spend some time,
marveling at the beauty of the Taj
and then visit the walled Agra Fort, another UNESCO
World Heritage
Site. Stay
overnight in Agra.
Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11
Agra/
Jaipur
Jaipur/
BangaloreBangalore Bangalore
Bangalore/
Mysore
Coorg
Tibetan colony
Mangalore and
return home
AM & PM:
Stop over at
Fatehpur Sikri,
another
UNESCO
Heritage Site
on the way to
Jaipur.
Evening: Rest
upon arrival in
Jaipur. Visit the
unique village resort of
Chokhi Dhani.
AM & PM: Cover
sites such as the
City Palace, Jantar
Mantar, the best-
preserved and
largest observatory
of India and "Hawa
Mahal" or "Palace
of Winds,"specially
constructed for the
women of the
royal family. Evening: Fly
to Bangalore and
optional homestay.
AM:Volunteer
Service
Learning PM:
Visit a high tech
company.
Evening:Option
al homestay.
AM:Volunteer
Service
Learning PM:
Visit local sites
of interest
such as St.
Marks
Cathedral,
Brigade Road,
Cubbon Park,
Government
Museum and St. Mary's
Church site
visits. Evening:
Optional homestay.
AM: Travel to
Mysore. On the
way visit
Srirangapatna,
once the capital of
King Hyder Ali and
Tippu Sultan.
Afterwards, visit
the grand Mysore
Palace.
PM: Visit the
sprawling Brindavan Gardens
and enjoy the
musical fountain and light show.
Overnight stay at Mysore.
AM: Start early for
Coorg. Begin
exploring Coorg,
upon arrival. Visit
the Bhagamandala
temple and
Talacauvery – the
origin of the
mighty river
Cauvery.
PM: Visit Harangi
Dam and Bylakuppe
Tibetian
monastery. Evening:
Overnight in Coorg.
AM: Leave early
for Mangalore. If
time permits,
students will see
the beautiful sea
of Arabia. Depart
South India for
Delhi and then fly
back home.