India

“Shared Futures: Building Sustainable Communities”
Instructors: Ishita Sinha Roy and Rachel O’Brien

Description

Focus on global sustainability issues that will be addressed in the interdisciplinary collaboration between the FS101 media & cultural studies and geology courses taught by the EL faculty leaders in fall 2011. The EL seminar will examine how urban development and the growing pressure on natural resources (especially water), in India, have resulted in drastic ecological and environmental changes, and equally innovative sustainability responses. The three week study tour will cover Kerala, one of India’s southern States, best known for its success with locally driven sustainability experiments, such as the “People’s Campaign for the Ninth Plan,” so that despite its low per-capita income level and a population of more than 30 million, Kerala has achieved a remarkable record in terms of achieving an almost 100% adult literacy rate, providing access to public healthcare, stabilizing population growth, and narrowing the gender gap. The EL course also involves hands-on eco-tourism education, and a sustainable community development component – both of which have become portals for a new kind of global participation. Students will work on a watershed project in Baste village, where the initiatives by the Allegheny College student organization “Growing Hearts, Growing Minds,” in previous years, have contributed to ongoing educational programs, and the pipeline delivery of potable water to the village.

India EL 2012 Program Brochure (PDF)

Pre-Requisites

Though the India EL seminar will be open to all Allegheny College students, preference will be given to students and peer leaders who have taken either of the FS101 courses taught by the EL faculty leaders in fall 2011, and who meet the EL selection criteria.

Dates

  • Departure from the US: May 17, 2012
  • Return to the US: June 8, 2012

Costs: $5982

Includes tuition, room, all breakfasts, some lunches and all dinners, international airfare, local transportation and excursions required by program, international insurance, and books.

An additional $770 is recommended for the following personal expenses:

  • passport ($125-if applicable) and travel visa costs
  • inoculations and malaria pills
  • most lunches/snacks/drinks
  • personal spending money & gratuities

Applications are due by 5PM on December 1, 2011. All EL Travel Seminars are pending student enrollment numbers to be determined in mid December 2011.