If traveling to South Asia is on your bucket list, why not earn credits in a Summer Study Abroad in India program? As the seventh largest country, India is located in the midst of water and mountains; Nepal, China and Bhutan are to the northeast. To its south, the Indian Ocean, to the south-west the Arabian Sea, and to the south-east lies the Bay of Bengal. As the birthplace of four religions, a booming telecommunications industry, and culture that spans 4,500 years, India is known as a land of color, culture and contrasts.
Why Consider Summer Study Abroad in India?
If you are coming from the West, Summer Study Abroad in India sounds like the perfect combination of exciting travel, personal discovery and immersion in a foreign country. Long before the Beatles travelled to Rishikesh in 1968, India has been known as a deeply ‘spiritual’ country that is simultaneously one of the fastest growing economies, the largest democracies, and one of the oldest civilizations.
FUN FACT: Namaste is the Hindi greeting used like a ‘hello’
Summer Breeze
If you have never experienced a monsoon, the season runs in the summer months of March, April and May. Depending on where you go in India, summer can be arid in the west, an alpine tundra in the north, or humid and tropical in the southwest.
Please Pass the Palaces
And temples, monuments and ancient ruins. Rich in architecture, India is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, aka the Taj Mahal, built by the Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his favorite wife.
A River Runs Through It
Home of the ‘holiest’ river to the Hindus, the Ganges runs 1,569 miles, flowing from the Himalayas in the North through India and Bangladesh.
From Curry to Tandoori
Foodies and lovers of flavor and spice will be met with many different regional cuisines. The North is known for tandoori chicken and creamy curry, while the ocean influences the South with tastes of coconuts grown in Kerala, seafood curries and rice.
Sipping Chai
Sip tea in the birthplace of Masala Chai tea. This aromatic blend is composed of cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, ground cloves, ground ginger, and black peppercorn together with black tea leaves. It has long (5,000 years) been considered a healing beverage.
Religion and Spirituality
India is not only the birthplace of the Indian Philosophical system of Yoga, but also of 4 religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Many continue to travel to India to attend meditation retreats in an ashram. Also ingrained is the 5,000 year old life science and healing system known as Ayurveda. So while you feed your mind and senses, you might look into harmonizing body and spirit as well. What about a day trip to visit the Lotus Temple in New Delhi - it is considered the 'Mother temple' of the Indian subcontinent
Color, Cotton and Culture
Marketplaces with colorful cotton saris, folk dances and festivals, Bollywood, and ancient philosophical literature, India is often spoken about as an ‘eye-opening’ experience, where you need to embrace the chaos of city streets as much as the depth of culture, tradition and ritual.
Finding a Summer Study Abroad in India Program
Technology students may quickly search ‘study abroad Bangalore’ since this city is well known as the IT capital of India. If you don’t know which city you want to visit, searching by specialty is a great way to find programs as well. With over 20 cities in India to choose from including the cosmopolitan city of New Delhi and the valley of Dharamsala, you are sure to find a Summer Study Abroad in India program that will both fascinate, challenge and fulfill you in your undergraduate years. Continued success as you Summer Study Abroad in India!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India | en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Temple
