Center for Global Study and Engagement

CIEE Hyderabad, India

The program is designed for students with a desire to understand the complexities and paradoxes of the world's largest democracy. Students have the opportunity to explore India's cultural and religious diversity while experiencing the impact of modernity upon tradition. This program is also ideal for a student who would like to do a service project, participate in volunteer work or undertake an internship.

What You'll Learn

The goal of the Arts and Sciences program is to enhance students' knowledge of India from interdisciplinary perspectives. The orientation in Hyderabad, combined with specialized and direct enrollment courses throughout the semester, enables participants to grasp the historic and cultural density of the largest democracy in the world. Situated at the gateway between northern and southern India, Hyderabad's location ensures that students gain insight into the linguistic, religious, and cultural diversity of the region--in a city undergoing massive physical and cultural transformation due to India's rapid ascension in the global economy.

Program Snapshot

• Choose from extensive course options in social sciences, humanities, performing arts, life sciences, and computer/information sciences
• Visit ancient mosques, temples, religous centers, and Golconda Fort; join on group excursions to Hampi, Visakhapatnam, Mysore, or Melkote; take yoga classes at the yoga center on campus
• Learn traditional Indian music and dance through classes conducted by experts
• Work with Hindi language peer tutors

Subject Areas

• Anthropology
• Art
• Communications
• Computer Science
• Dance
• Economics
• Engineering & Technology
• Film Studies
• Geography
• Hindi Language
• History
• Literature
• Management
• Performing Arts
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Religion
• Sociology
• Telugu Language
• Theology
• Urdu Language

Eligibility Requirements

• Overall GPA 3.0
• Junior standing and above

Academic Program

The academic program is offered in collaboration with the Study in India Program (SIP) at the University of Hyderabad. SIP provides international students the opportunity to study various aspects of Indian society, history, and culture, and creates an international environment on campus. SIP is nationally recognized by the Ministry of Education in India for its international education model. The CIEE Study Center at the University of Hyderabad offers students a combination of specially designed courses organized by SIP along with direct enrollment in regular University courses.

Academic Culture

The University of Hyderabad is an undergraduate and graduate-level Indian university. This designation is somewhat different than in the U.S. system, but does not provide a barrier to undergraduates. The B.A. degree in India is three years in duration. M.A. students in their first year of study are roughly at an equivalent level to a senior at a U.S. university. Because the University of Hyderabad primarily provides graduate education, CIEE students should expect a good deal of independent work in each direct enrollment class, including, but not limited to, reading all of the books and articles in the suggested readings list for each course. As the academic classroom environment in all direct enrollment courses at the University is vastly different from classes in the U.S., students should enroll in these courses with an open mind and be prepared for minimal classroom discussion and in-depth lectures from their professors. Due to regulations and limited resources in the University library, students should also be prepared to do most of their research by accessing their home institution library database online.

CIEE students primarily take their classes from the arts, social sciences, and humanities departments. The student body is made up mostly of Indian students drawn from all over the country. Classes are relatively small and are taught through lecture. Some but not all professors welcome discussion and active student participation in direct enrollment classes. SIP courses are similar to courses found at U.S. universities. Many faculty members who teach specialized courses for the SIP have experience teaching American students.

As no scheduled academic break exists in the University calendar, semester students are encouraged to travel following the program end date. Academic year students have a three-week break in December.

Where You'll Study:

University of Hyderabad

Founded more than 30 years ago, the University of Hyderabad was the first federally funded university in the southern part of India. The University has over 275 faculty, 2,700 full-time students, and eight schools: chemistry; life sciences; mathematics and computer and information sciences; physics; humanities; social sciences; management studies; and performing arts, fine arts, and communication. The campus is located approximately 30 to 45 minutes from the downtown area by public transportation, affording students a more tranquil environment outside of the city center to learn about student life in Andhra Pradesh.

Program Requirements

A mandatory course load for one semester is four courses. Students are required to take Hindi at their level, as well as three additional courses either through the Study in India Program or by directly matriculating in regular University courses. Students who already speak Hindi also have the option of taking one of the other local languages, Urdu or Telugu. In addition, all students have the option of taking Basic Sanskrit as an elective.

It is recommended that students take two courses offered by SIP. These have been designed specifically for international students and are structured like classes taught in the U.S. CIEE strongly encourages each student to directly enroll in at least one course at the University with local Indian students to ensure that they benefit from this unique crosscultural opportunity. Of course, students may enroll in more than one direct enrollment course, but they should be prepared for differences in course structure and delivery of information by the faculty. Independent/directed study courses, in which a faculty member supervises readings, field study, and/or research focused on a topic, are also available as direct enrollment courses at the University. Students interested in this option need to provide email confirmation from their study abroad advisor during the on-site registration process while in India.

Program Fee

The program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, tuition, full-time leadership and support, housing, meals, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions and field trips, pre-departure advising, visa fees, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.

Online Pre-Departure and On-Site Orientations

Students begin their study abroad experience in Hyderabad before even leaving home--by participating in a CIEE Online Pre-Departure Orientation. Meeting with students online, the Resident Director shares information about the program and site, highlighting issues that alumni have said are important, and giving students time to ask any questions before leaving home. The online orientation allows students to connect with others in the group, reflect on what they want to get out of the program, and learn what others in the group would like to accomplish. The CIEE goal for the pre-departure orientation is simple: to help students understand more about the program and site, as well as their goals for the program, so that they arrive to the program well-informed and return home having made significant progress toward their goals.

CIEE staff organize a comprehensive mandatory orientation in Hyderabad that includes information on academic requirements, safety and security issues, a campus tour, an introduction to student facilities, academic conventions in India, and interactive workshops on cross-cultural issues. Gender issues are also discussed in a workshop to generate awareness. In addition, there are orientation sessions conducted at the University of Hyderabad, which introduce students to the country, the culture, and the academic program, as well as provide practical information about living in Hyderabad. Lectures by experts from different walks of life assist students in understanding the diversity of India and its traditional and contemporary relevance to the world. In addition, the orientation includes an activity called Khojo Hyderabad. A Hindi word, Khojo means search. The premise of Khojo Hyderabad is to discover the city and its diverse offerings within a planned and timed schedule. Cultural programs and tours of the city and its vicinity also provide insight into the rich cultural heritage of the city. Orientation activities are mandatory for all students and an important part of students acclimating to life in India. Ongoing support is provided on an individual and group basis throughout the program.

CIEE believes that students learn most effectively abroad when they pursue specific learning goals, reflect on their own learning, and develop the skills to communicate effectively and appropriately in a culture different from their own. CIEE staff organize ongoing orientation activities that serve as an extension of the intercultural preparation that students learn during the initial orientation week. These ongoing orientation activities help students learn in three different goal areas: the Subjective Culture of the individual students (exploring U.S cultural values), Cultural Literacy (exploring other cultures and their values), and Bridging of these two cultures (learning concepts and intercultural communication skills).

Housing & Meals

Students have the choice of two housing options. Meals are included with both options. Although every attempt is made to grant each student's preference, roommate and housing assignments are based upon availability and other factors. Therefore, housing preferences cannot be guaranteed. Housing options include:

Tagore International House--Specially designed for study abroad students at the University of Hyderabad, the Tagore International House provides furnished, air conditioned single and double occupancy rooms on the University of Hyderabad campus. Each wing has separate common bathrooms for men and women, as well as a common area used by students for studying or other activities. The Tagore International House also includes a common dining room, a small computer facility, TV room, and laundry facilities with washers. Food is of a very good standard with many vegetarian options. While most of the food is Indian, some western food items are also available. As Tagore International House is 1.8 miles from the central campus, students typically ride bicycles or walk to class each morning and evening.

Homestays--CIEE works with two homestay families who can accommodate a total of six students. Students usually eat breakfast and dinner with the family and are given monthly stipends for lunch and transportation to and from the University. There are reasonably priced cafeterias on campus for lunch. Homestay families live three to four miles from campus. Sharing in the life of a family through a homestay provides an excellent opportunity for interested students to experience various aspects of Indian culture. Families often encourage their students to join them in preparing meals, in trips to a temple or market, to attend a wedding or similar function, and in regular conversation in the language that the student is studying

Internet

Students have Internet access at various places on campus, including a common computer facility at the Tagore International House dormitory, the CIEE Study Center office, the computer center, and the University library. Students may also access the Internet at other common areas on campus. While they are encouraged to bring wireless-enabled laptops, Internet reliability and access are not typically available at the same level as in the U.S., especially in the student dormitory. This can be a point of frustration for some students expecting Internet connectivity similar to what they enjoy on their home institution campus.

Cultural Activities

Cultural Activities and Field Trips

During orientation, students learn about Indian culture, history, and society through lectures and site visits (in four States of India) to such places as the Charminar, Golconda Fort, ancient mosques in Hyderabad, Mysore Maharaja's palace, Tipu Sultan's kingdom near Mysore, Chowmahalla Palace, and various temples.

To further acquaint students with parts of south India and to foster self-reflection, the program includes visits to Mysore and Melkote, and to saree weavers (entrepreneurs) or Hampi (a world heritage centre and the capital of the largest empire in post-moghul India), or Visakhapatnam (a coastal city of cultural and religious diversity). Students are exposed to Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. In the past students have also taken trips to NGOs that work with women and children in rural parts of Andhra Pradesh.

Students interested in undertaking daily yoga practice may do so at the yoga center located on campus. Opportunities are also available for students to study classical Indian music, critical thinking, classical instruments such as the Sitar and Tabla, and to study the North Indian classical dance Kathak. These are available as non-credit courses.

Part-time volunteer projects can be organized for highly motivated students, but are minimal due to the fact that students attend classes every day.

Independent Travel

Students must submit a completed Independent Travel Request Form two weeks prior to any independent travel, along with an independent travel release form. After submission, the resident staff considers each participant's request. Resident staff schedules meetings with the participant to discuss independent travel details once the forms have been completed.

Peer Tutors

Program participants are paired with University of Hyderabad senior students for weekly one-on-one Hindi (or Telugu, Sanskrit, and Urdu) language tutorials.

tuition and fees
room and board
pre-departure and on-site orientations
academic excursions
*The program fee does not include primary health insurance, airfare, optional travel, personal expenses, books or supplies.

Special Requirements

3.0

For more information, contact:

Sharon O'Brien, On-Campus Coordinator
P.O. Box 1773
Carlisle, PA 17013-2896
Phone: (717) 245-1497
E-mail: obrien@dickinson.edu