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Summer
India trip planning underway Staff Writer
Summer
in India, a way to experience and emerge in a culture that dates back
more then 4,500 years, is planned for 2003. Dr.
Karl J. Schmidt, associate professor of history, will direct the
program. An
informative meeting held on Sept. 25 allowed students interested in the
program to become more familiar with India and what can be expected for
the six-week time period. Tentative dates for the trip are June 20-Aug.
2, 2003. Students
will study at the University of Hyderabad, the capital of the Indian
state of Andhra Pradesh. With a population of more than four million,
this city is a place to learn about the people of India as well as the
culture. The
university encourages students to study at Hyderabad to broaden their
cultural experiences and as an outreach to U.S. students. Professors
at the university have studied in the United States, Schmidt said. Before
leaving the country, an Orientation to Studying in India course, a
requirement for the program, will be offered during Intersession 2003.
When arriving in India, students have an option of a tour of Delhi, the
capital of India, and Agra, home to the Taj Mahal. This tour is not
included in the total cost. This is an additional $400. There will be a
choice of courses students may select including Introducing India,
Ethnographic Approaches to Indian Society, or an independent
research/study project. Some of the independent study projects range
from language study, music and dance, culture, science and technology,
environment and more. Courses
taught at the university will be instructed by professors from Hyderabad
and other universities. All will be in English. Students will live on
campus at Hyderabad, where newer accommodations have been made. However,
students should not expect the rooms and facilities to be like home. Its
not a picnic, Schmidt said. The
food in India is mostly vegetarian, and some students that went in 2000
did not adjust well. The university offers students access to e-mail,
the library, post office, bank, health center and long-distance
telephone facilities. During
the past 10 years, Schmidt has traveled to India and is familiar with
the country. His interest of the country has been endlessly
fascinating. He
created the Southern in India program in 1999, and took a group of 14
students along with several faculty members including Dr. Scott J.
Wells, associate professor of biology; Dr. William Kumbier, professor of
English; and Dr. Joy Dworkin, associate professor of English. Last year
there were some bumps Schmidt had to overcome. It
should run more smoothly [this year], he said. While
in India, Kumbier will direct students in what they need to do and what
not to do. An
estimated fee of $3,700 has been set, which includes international round
trip airfare, air travel in India, all tuition, fees, room and board,
local travel, airport pickup, and course-related site visits in India.
There are other non-program costs which can be viewed on the Web at
www.mssc.edu/projectsouthasia/sa/sii.htm. Aimee
Morey, sophomore chemistry and environmental health major, is interested
in the trip. Morey wants to learn more about the Indian culture. She
learned about the program through the honors office. This would be
Morey s first trip to India, and she is glad courses will be taught in
English. Safety
is a concern for some students. India
is safer than a lot of big cities in the U.S, Schmidt said. When
you travel, you have to be careful. Basic
requirements include at least a college sophomore standing (48+ credit
hours); an overall 3.0 grade-point average; and a valid U.S. passport Additional
requirements include an application from the Institute of International
Studies for students applying for financial assistance. Deadline for
Southern students is Friday, Dec. 6, and Friday, Jan. 17, 2003, for
non-Southern students not seeking financial aid. A $100 non-refundable
processing fee, two letters of recommendation, a current official
academic transcript, a one-page personal statement of reasons to attend,
and an up-to-date resum must accompany the applications. For
information, students may contact Schmidt at 625-9588, or by e-mail at
schmidt-k@mssu.edu. |