Study abroad in India with IFSA
Pune
, India

IFSA January in India

Program Overview

See how a rich culture, deeply rooted traditions, and a complex history shape the approach to public health issues like disease prevention and pediatric care in lively Pune. In just three weeks, you’ll expand your knowledge, shift your paradigms, and build valuable intercultural skills.

Ideal for students of global or public health, international relations, development studies, and social justice, this intensive program features a challenging mix of academics and hands-on placement. Join a partner NGO or research hospital to complete an eye-opening project that fits your interests and goals. Meanwhile, learn local customs and explore India’s many tastes with your carefully selected host family and explore city palaces and temples with Indian peers as your guides.

Throughout, IFSA’s supportive staff help you maximize your time, connecting you to local resources, providing an interpreter for your project if needed, and more.

Students attending select Australia universities are welcome to participate in this program.

Details at a Glance

Application deadline

January: Nov. 1

Minimum GPA

2.00

Credit load

3 - 4

Housing

Home Stay

Instruction language

English, Hindi

Prerequisites

None

Apply Now

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Academics

Global Health and Development
The class explores the complexities of delivering primary health care across the globe. Starting with the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978, students analyze key initiatives and government programs while exposing present realities and interrogating potential outcomes. An in-depth case study of India from its independence to today invites students to evaluate future challenges for development. By comparing the responses from different nations to important events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, students broaden their understanding of the health and development fields.

This class features a project-based learning experience designed to lead students into consideration of the challenges faced by those working on the ground in India and the strengths of the local organizations working in this space. See Internships & Experiential Learning section below for examples of placement and hosting organizations. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Essential Hindi
Essential Hindi is an optional class for those students without a Hindi language background. It has two focuses: to equip students with essential communication skills, key words, and phrases, to engage in basic conversations, as well as build their ability to read basic signs and request emergency assistance; and to promote students’ understanding of the local environment and culture in contemporary India enhance their language skills in real world settings. Upon acceptance to the program, you will confirm with your IFSA Admissions Counselor whether you would like to take advantage of this unique language learning opportunity. (1 U.S. semester credit hour)

Australia Outbound Program
Students enrolled at select Australia universities are invited to participate in this program. The program is open to students of all year levels and all fields. Students will earn 45 contact hours credit; the equivalent of one subject.

Please see the Australia Outbound term below in the Dates and Fees section for program fees and expected expenses in Australian dollars. For more information on the Australia Outbound program, please reach out to us at australiaoutbound@ifsa-butler.org.

PROJECT-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Team up with an Indian NGO to complete a meaningful project, designed to help you consider the challenges faced by organizations that strive to improve health care and conditions, as well as the strengths NGOs bring to this effort. Start off strong with a kickoff workshop designed to teach best practices and set expectations. Then seize the opportunity to develop rich personal connections to an Indian community, as you work with a personal interpreter and your contacts at the NGO.

Organization: This independent charitable organization works to better the lives of low-income communities in Pune through a range of family welfare programs such as education, healthcare, child development, and women’s empowerment.

Subject Area: Public Health

Potential Projects: On the background of COVID-19, the organization would have you prepare awareness material for their target population. They also work with women, adolescents, and HIV+ people regarding their health and nutrition. Depending on student interest, the work may be designed for a team of students.

Language: English

Organization: The mission of this NGO hospital research center is to conduct research in areas which affect the life of common people, with an emphasis on women and children. Areas of research include reproductive and child health, adolescent health, HIV and AIDS, quality of health services, women’s development, and various clinical topics.

Subject Areas: Public/Global Health

Potential Projects: You may work on projects related to literature review, data analysis, and preparing awareness materials for COVID-19, reproductive health, mental health, child sexual abuse, and HIV.

Language: English

Organization: This organization focuses on sustainable socio-economic development through granting micro-finance loans, imparting skills and vocational training, and availing health services through micro-insurance plans. Additionally, the organization successfully runs training, family security, education, and awareness programs.

Subject Area: Finance

Potential Projects: Projects will be based on your specific skill set but may include creating visuals and pamphlets, supporting vocational programs, or developing new tools for measuring outcomes.

Language: English

Organization: This K-10 school serves more than 800 children from underprivileged families residing in the old central parts of Pune. Many of the students are the first-generation learners in their family.

Subject Areas: Education Studies, Elementary Education

Potential Projects: You would assist in developing personality development workshops for fifth grade to ninth grade students. Other projects available based upon your skill set.

Language: English

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

  • You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
  • You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university. Students attending select Australia universities are also eligible.
  • You must have completed at least one (1) semester of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.

Recommendation Letter
Not required.

Visa Requirement
A visa is required for all students.

TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects courses taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.

Excursions

Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.

Below are examples from previous terms; outings may be different for your program. We’ll make every effort to run them all, but sometimes things we can’t our control, such as local regulations and health protocols, get in the way. As result, we cannot guarantee activities and excursions.

  • Heritage Indoor Games: Women have long taken part in indoor games as a way for housewives to gather, share their lives, and have fun. These games are also played at festivals for newly married girls where they worship the Hindu goddess Gauri. Take part yourself to experience this important element of local culture.
  • Cooking an Indian Meal: Indian food tastes even more amazing when you learn how to make it yourself! Roll up your sleeves with IFSA staff and learn to prepare three basic dishes including chapati bread, a potato vegetable dish, and shira, a sweet dish made with semolina.
  • Know Your City: Take advantage of Saturday sightseeing adventures to share time with Indian peers (your guides) as you visit Parvati Hill, Shaniwar Wada, Agakhan Palace, and more.
  • Henna Drawing: Learn about this ancient art form, an integral part of celebrations in India, as a local artist decorates your hands.
  • Village Velhe Visit: Seeing rural India is important to building an understanding of India as a whole. On this day trip, experience village market day, when people from remote villages come to fetch needs for the week ahead. You’ll also a visit to a rural primary health care center and a girl’s hostel run by Jnana Prabodhini — a school in Pune — as its rural development initiative. By playing games with students and meeting female leaders, you’ll learn about challenges for girls’ education and learn about inspiring local empowerment work. Wind up the day with a meal at a small resort where you’ll learn to prepare bhakri, a type of a bread commonly eaten in these villages.

Housing and Meals

Housing

Home Stay

Meals

All Included

Details

During the program, you will live with an Indian host family. All homestay families undergo an extensive vetting process with special attention to health, safety, and opportunities for cultural exchange. While every student has a different relationship with their host family, students are frequently brought along to religious, cultural and community activities, and introduced widely among their friends and family. Host families may be a large extended family, an older couple with children living abroad, or a nuclear family. They will likely speak Marathi, English, and some Hindi. All meals will be provided by the host family and/or IFSA program center. Arrangements for host family meals vary among housing placements. Indian cuisine is generally vegetarian, though some meat dishes are available in Pune. You may choose to eat out at Western-style restaurants at your own expense.

Dates and Fees

Term

Term begins

Term ends

Program costs

Application deadline

January 2024

Early Jan. 2024

Mid-Jan. 2024

$4,075

Nov. 1

January 2024 (Australia Outbound)

Early Jan. 2024

Mid-Jan. 2024

$5,500 AUD

Nov. 1

Term

January 2024

Term begins

Early Jan. 2024

Term ends

Mid-Jan. 2024

Program costs

$4,075

Application deadline

Nov. 1

Term

January 2024 (Australia Outbound)

Term begins

Early Jan. 2024

Term ends

Mid-Jan. 2024

Program costs

$5,500 AUD

Application deadline

Nov. 1

Get started

Apply Now
schedule time to talk
Vineeta Chauhan

Vineeta Chauhan

Admissions Counselor

Zipporah Gaines

Zipporah Gaines

Prearrival Counselor

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