| Description |
This program will introduce students to India, a rich and diverse nation that is home to over one billion people—or one-sixth of the world’s population. Program participants will have an opportunity to engage and explore Indian culture and life in a variety of settings. Specifically, the course will focus on southern Indian culture, religion, history and the role that technology plays in Indian culture today. Students who desire to see this incredible country first-hand are encouraged to apply. |
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| Location |
India is slightly more than one-third the size of the United States but has three times the number of people. It is a mainly Hindu nation, and in recent times, it has become a major technological center. This has created a striking contrast between the presence of sophisticated technology against the backdrop of a developing country.
The program will take place mainly in southern India, in the cities of Vellore and Chennai, ending with a short excursion to Bangalore. Chennai, a relatively young city founded by the British only 350 years ago, is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu, the most southern state of India. Vellore is home to the world-renowned Christian Medical College, which was founded by missionary Ida Scudder as a medical school for women. Bangalore is the capitol of the state of Karanataka and is the technology center of India.
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| Faculty leader |
Mark Vellinga, a member of Northwestern’s computer science faculty, will lead the program. Professor Vellinga has been teaching at NWC since 1990. During the summer of 2005, he explored India in preparation for this program. |
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| Course and credit |
Gen 350: Topics in Cross-Cultural Studies: India, 4 credits. This course fulfills NWC’s cross-cultural general education requirements. Summer study abroad courses cannot be taken for audit. |
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| Program structure |
Participants will spend the first five days of the program on the NWC campus for the pre-departure seminar. The pre-trip seminar will cover various academic and logistical aspects of the course via lectures, discussions, movies and Q&A sessions. Once on-site, students will meet and travel as a group, taking in a variety of activities and guest faculty presentations. There will also be numerous opportunities to observe and engage the culture through excursions, assignments, cultural visits and home stays. Group discussion/debriefing time will also play a prominent role in the course. See the faculty leader for a complete syllabus. |
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| Transportation |
Current plans have students flying as a group into India. On-site transportation around India will be via local trains. Buses or minivans may also be used for specific site visits. |
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| Housing and meals |
This program will utilize a variety of housing options, depending on the city. Current plans have students living with host families and in college housing in Chennai and Vellore. Most meals will be provided either by the host family, the housing organization or via stipends. |
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| Excursions and day trips |
This program will include a variety of excursions and day trips within and around Vellore and Chennai. Highlights include day trips to Mahabalipuram and Trichy; visits to museums, temples, churches, and medical and social agencies; shopping on Mahatma Ghandi Road; and sightseeing in the Lal Bagh Gardens. Sites of interest include InfoSys, Christian Medical College and Standard Chartered Bank. |
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| Passport and visa |
For U.S. citizens, a passport and visa are required for entry into and exit from India. The faculty leader and summer study abroad office (SSAO) will assist participants in obtaining a visa. Information on how to obtain a passport is available from the summer study abroad office or http://travel.state.gov. |
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| Vaccinations and health information |
No vaccinations are required for U.S. persons traveling to India, although it is recommended that all routine immunizations be up-to-date. Participants may be required to receive vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, polio and others. Anti-malaria medication will most likely be required. Travelers will be at risk for traveler’s diarrhea and other food- and water-borne illnesses. See the Center for Disease Control website for more information and complete details. |
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| Eligibility |
All NWC students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or with the consent of the faculty leader are eligible to apply. This program is also available to non-NWC students on a space-available basis. |
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| Application |
The 2006 India application consists of the two-page application form, two recommendations (one from a faculty member, one from a resident director), and a (student copy) transcript. Applications are available from the faculty leader, the summer study abroad office or on the website. |
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| Application deadline |
Feb. 1, 2006. Early application is encouraged, as there is limited space on this program. A minimum enrollment is needed in order for the program to run. After the deadline, call for space availability information. |
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| Program fee |
Tentatively, the program fee is $3,900 per student. The final fee will depend on the actual number of participants and confirmed prices for airfare, exchange rates, etc. A better estimate of cost will be given in February, and the final fee will be determined around April 1. Every effort is being made to keep the cost at a minimum. The program fee includes tuition for four credits (at a reduced rate of half off regular summer school tuition rates), airfare, in-country transportation, housing, meals or meal stipend, travel visa, international insurance (medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, basic health), pre-trip seminar and orientation, excursions, program activities, and entrance fees. Participants will need to cover books, passport and pictures, some meals, and individual travel and spending money, among other items.
Northwestern College summer study abroad programs are academic, educational, credit-bearing experiences—not mission projects. Study abroad programs are for-credit opportunities that focus on broadening students’ worldview through immersion in and academic exploration of a different culture. Therefore, the Northwestern College summer study abroad office does not sponsor nor coordinate fundraising activities to help participants cover the cost of the program fees. Payment of the program fees remains the responsibility of the participant. |
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| Tuition waiver |
The regular Northwestern College tuition waiver policy applies to summer study abroad courses. Eligible employees and their dependents may use the tuition waiver for the tuition amount only of the summer study abroad program fee. (See the staff and faculty handbooks for more information.) Tuition waivers may not be used for the $250 deposit.
A full-tuition waiver for a 2006 four-credit course will equal $520 off the final program fee. A full-tuition waiver for a 2006 six-credit course will equal $780 off the final program fee. (These figures equal the actual amount of tuition charged to participants as part of the final program fee, which is a special half-off discount of 2006 summer school tuition rates.)
Interested students should see Jill Fischer in the summer study abroad office for more details. |
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| Deposit |
Upon acceptance into the program, a $250 deposit will be required to hold a participant’s slot. This deposit will be applied to the final program fee. |
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| Financial aid |
Financial aid in the form of loans may be available. Contact the NWC financial aid office for more information. |
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| Payment deadline |
After determination of the final program fee, on or around April 1, the SSAO will send out billings. Deadline for payment is May 1. Participants will be provided with the Payment, Cancellation and Refund policies upon acceptance into the program. |
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Summer study abroad
