Academic Immersion Focused on Real Cultural Understanding
The Program Director, a leading Indian scholar and native of Kolkata, will guide and tutor you through the program and your studies. The other professors are some of the best-known scholars of Eastern India. Areas of these courses are interwoven so that, combined with the many site visits, the homestay, and service experiences, you will have a multi-layered educational and cultural experience that goes far beyond what academic tourism can provide. Loreto College, in association with Tagore-Gandhi Institute of Culture Studies and Service-Learning, issues transcripts for both the 3-week and semester programs.
3-week Program Studies
For the first three weeks, all students participate in two integrated seminars: The Indian Heritage and The Evolution of Modern India (see below).
Semester Studies
Semester students continue for another 10 weeks with an interdisciplinary course of study entitled "Perspectives on India," which further explores some of the themes introduced during the 3-week session and consists of three seminars of 3 credits each: Contemporary India, The Indian Imagination and Morality, Ethics, and Leadership in Indian Society.
Experience Kolkata from a Local Perspective
Located in eastern India, in the Indian state of West Bengal, the vibrant city of Kolkata has long been known for its literary, artistic and revolutionary heritage. Kolkata served as the capital of India during the British Raj until 1911.
Kolkata is also a city challenged by poverty, rapid population growth, traffic congestion, and other urban problems. Widespread and extreme poverty inspired Mother Teresa to begin her missionary work here, and evidence of her life permeates the city. In the past several years, economic rejuvenation has led to a spurt in the city's growth and revitalization. You will experience the many faces of Kolkata, from the artistic and intellectual elite to destitute children.
Housing
You live in a homestay with a middle-class Indian family, who provides your daily meals. An integral part of the program, the homestay offers you the opportunity to make life-long friends and experience the culture from "the inside." Students are generously welcomed, treated as a member of the family, and taught about and participate in family activities and events. Host families are carefully selected and experienced with hosting students.
Volunteer Service that Addresses Real Human Needs
Typically, students provide direct human care to the poor, to those who are ill or unable to care for themselves, and to premature infants and malnourished children who have been abandoned. In the past, students have served at:
- rehabilitation centers for children
- literacy schools for street children
- Mother Teresa's home for the destitute and dying
- Mother Teresa's home for abandoned children
Travel and Excursions that Broaden Your Perspective
Excursions to historic, cultural, and religious sites in Kolkata, as well as to other Indian cities and villages are planned throughout the program, and are an important part of the academic courses. In addition:
- January session and Spring semester students go on a trip to Delhi/New Delhi and Agra, where they visit the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, medieval mosques, tombs, and other forts.
- August session and Fall semester students go on an extensive trip to the ancient sun temple at Konarak on the Indian Ocean and neighboring historic sites.
Other excursions may vary by season and year. Some examples include:
- Buddhist sites such as Udayagiri; a Buddhist temple in Kolkata; and a trip to Bodh-Gaya, one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage site in Asia
- a beautiful synagogue in the heart of Kolkata
- a trip to Santiniketan and village Bengal
- visits to Puja festival sites (August/Fall semester) or Dol/Holi festival in March
- field-trip to rural Purulia and environs to see village life, mask-makers and craft workshops.
