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.

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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.