Sociology, Service Learning and Indian Culture Studies: Bangalore, India-USAC

This program is provided by

Location

India: Bangalore

Description

The Bangalore program provides the extraordinary opportunity to study Indian culture, sociology, service learning, business, and humanities while also volunteering in the local community with fellow students who are interested in contributing and making a difference in their society. You will be studying in one of the most prestigious and beautiful campuses in India and will gain personal exposure to the social issues of Indian life. Bangalore is an ideal place to learn how the technological and business revolution is transforming traditional Indian society into a fast-paced hybrid of East-West life. Its location in India's Silicon Valley makes it an excellent spot for networking and developing contacts with companies involved in software and business outsourcing.

USAC students are integrated into the university atmosphere and have many opportunities to experience the culture, learn about the country, and make friends. Volunteer opportunities are available, along with college sports, clubs, and association activities. All students are required to enroll in a 1-credit Service Learning course during their first semester in India. You may also take a program-organized Indian Cuisine course to gain even more knowledge of the local culture. USAC students are paired with Indian buddies to help orient them to the university and surrounding areas.

Highlights

Bangalore is the fifth largest city in India. It was founded in the sixteenth century by a Hoysala king and was ruled by the maharajas of Mysore throughout much of its history. Today it is the capital of the state of Karnataka and one of India's most modern cities with malls, bargain shopping centers, cafes, nightclubs, and multi-cuisine restaurants. Its abundance of parks, lakes, and gardens, many built by the British Raj, has earned it the nickname "Garden City." It also is endowed with a pleasant sub-tropical climate (55-80 degree F). March through May is the warmest season and most of the rain falls between June and September, leaving the air clean and fresh.

Bangalore's location is an ideal place from which to explore southern India. Within a few hours you can be wandering through the Maharaja's Palace in Mysore, sunbathing on the beaches of Goa, visiting World Heritage Sites such as Hampi, and taking in one of the world's tallest waterfalls, Jog Falls. Cities such as Mumbai, home of Bollywood the world's largest film industry are just a day's train ride away.

Bangalore's Electronic City Industrial Park has also become the world's second largest producer of software. Bangalore is at the heart of the information technology and business outsourcing boom in South Asia and many multinational high-tech companies have offices here; Oracle is located right next door to Christ University.

Karnataka is the entrance to the deep south of India. Karnataka has extraordinary historical and cultural sites such as the ruins of the once powerful Vijaynagar Empire, the medieval monuments at Bidar, and the splendid dome of the Golgumbaz in Bijapur. Karnataka is famous for its sandalwood, incense, spice, flower markets, and towering gopura temples adorned with Hindu gods and goddesses. Its landscapes range from palm-fringed coastal regions and forested mountains to dry plateaus.

India is the seventh largest country in the world and, with 1.21 billion people, is the second most populated. It is a country of contrasts its slums in Kolkata rival those found in the poorest nations, but it is also home to some of the world's greatest palaces, temples, and monuments including that immortal memorial to love, the Taj Mahal. It is the birthplace of Hinduism and yoga, and has the world's largest secular democracy.