IFSA/Alliance: Varanasi - The City, The River, The Sacred
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- Location(s): Varanasi, India: Darjeeling, India: Kolkata, India: New Delhi / Delhi, India
- Program Type(s): Study Abroad
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Study abroad with the Institute for Study Abroad in Varanasi, India! Explore the intersections between religious practice, urban studies, and environmental issues through 15 credits of coursework.Learn Hindi or Urdu - and use your language skills ... read more
All Reviews
I gained insight into a culture very different from my own. I began questioning my own culture and learned a lot about myself. Yes, definitely worthwhile. Aly Campbell - Franklin & Marshall College View Entire Review
I learned so much more than I have ever learned from a semester at school. My experience helped me face things I never thought I could or would. Keiara G - Arcadia University View Entire Review
Varanasi is endlessly confusing, and therefore endlessly fulfilling. I learned about my spirituality, ability to adjust to new environments, and the world. The most influential part about my experience, however, was learning to love learning again. The program directors are great and help you along the way while host families ma... Rayna B - University of South Carolina - Columbia View Entire Review
I am a completely new person after Varanasi. I had no idea how much it would expand on who I was spiritually, mentally and emotionally. I love so much deeper now and I feel I understand people on a totally new level. I became passionate about Indian culture and Hinduism, things I knew absolutely nothing about beforehand. I fell ... Alexandra B - Elon University View Entire Review
I lost my fear of the unknown, learned how to be self-reliant, and am now ready to take chances. I am in control of my own life. It was WORTH EVERY STRUGGLE. Cam V - Mount Holyoke College View Entire Review
Certainly worthwhile, I learned that the greatest challenges can be simply readjusting to new habits of daily life - from bucket showers to crossing rickshaw ridden streets or simply functioning in the heat. When surmounting these simple tasks accomplishes a feeling of achievement, it's hard at first to return to the ease and ro... elise a - Emerson College View Entire Review
Varanasi is a challenging city to study abroad in. It pushes you outside of your comfort zone and you inevitably learn a lot about yourself in the process. That being said, it is also an amazing and beautiful city, and 100% worth it. A student - The College of Wooster View Entire Review
I learned so much from this experience both about Indian culture and myself. At times, it was really difficult, but this taught me to be independent and handle stressful situations. Your global understanding will expand tremendously. Hannah B - University of North Dakota View Entire Review
About
Study abroad with the Institute for Study Abroad in Varanasi, India!
- Explore the intersections between religious practice, urban studies, and environmental issues through 15 credits of coursework.
- Learn Hindi or Urdu - and use your language skills on a daily basis as you move about the city.
- Travel with experienced resident staff to diverse destinations in North India including stops in Delhi, Kolkata, Darjeeling, and the Himalayan foothills.
- Challenge yourself by living in a city that bombards the senses with new sights, sounds, and smells, and that requires you to rethink much of what you might take for granted.
- Study the city's rich traditions - yoga, a traditional Indian instrument or dance form, or artisanal crafts - under a guru, or master teacher.
The ancient city of Varanasi, arguably the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, serves as an important holy site for Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist communities alike. Today, this dense urban center is defined by its close symbiotic relationship with the Ganges River, which can be simultaneously understood as pure and polluted. Artistic and artisanal traditions thrive in Varanasi, known for its silk-weaving and pottery, as well as generations of mastery in classical Indian music forms.
Visit our website for more information about The City, The River, The Sacred program, including course syllabi, housing arrangements, co-curricular activities, and Culture in Practice opportunities.
Visit our website for more information about The City, The River, The Sacred program, including course syllabi, housing arrangements, co-curricular activities, and Culture in Practice opportunities.
Program Type(s):
Study AbroadProgram Length(s):
- Fall
- Spring
- Academic Year
Instruction Language(s):
- English
- Hindi
- Urdu
Relevant Study Subject(s):
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
- Peace Studies, Conflict Resolution
- Global Studies
- Religion / Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Urban Studies
- Fine Arts, Studio Arts
Minimum GPA:
3.0Year Founded:
2007Website
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IFSA Scholarships
Any student applying to an IFSA-Butler program can apply for our general scholarship awards, which are $500 for a summer program, $1,500 for semester study, and $2,000 for the full year. We also offer special opportunities such as First Generation College Student scholarships and a Fill the GAP study abroad savings program that matches contributions up to $1,000. Plus, any student attending a public institution or an MSI (minority serving institution) is automatically eligible for either the IFSA State School Grant or the IFSA MSI Grant. Both are worth $2,000 off the program price.
$2,000
Deadlines:
Coincides with program deadlines
Guidelines/Requirements:
Any student who applies for an IFSA-Butler program may apply for a scholarship by completing a scholarship application. This is separate from the general IFSA-Butler program application.
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