Fall Religious Studies Study Abroad Programs in India

The world’s seventh-largest country, India boasts diverse landscapes and majestic landmarks including temples, palaces, and the iconic Taj Mahal. It is also the birthplace of yoga and Hinduism. Have the chance to explore much of this fascinating country through the Bangalore program offered by USAC. This international program encompasses sociology, Indian culture, business, service learning, and humanities study combined with volunteering in a local community together with fellow students. Attend classes at one of the most prestigious campuses in India, where you gain firsthand exposure to social issues concerning the Indian way of life. Enroll in a one-credit Service Learning course during your first semester, and then choose to add this with an Indian Cuisine course for further cultural immersion. Bangalore is an ideal setting to find out how the business and technological revolution has transformed traditional Indian society into a fast-paced hybrid of East-West life. Plus, its location in the country's Silicon Valley makes it the perfect platform for developing contacts and networking with companies specializing in business outsourcing and software.

Unlike traditional study abroad or tourism experiences, Semester at Sea offers a unique opportunity for deep, authentic engagement with countries and cultures around the globe. It's more than just the adventure of a lifetime. It's a transformative experience that will give you a global perspective to take on the challenges of tomorrow. Fall 2026: European, African, South American, and Asian Adventure Embark: September 9, IJmuiden, The Netherlands Disembark: Dec 22, Bangkok, Thailand Itinerary: Portugal, Morocco, Brazil, St. Helena, South Africa, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Hong Kong Spring 2027: Asia, Africa, and Europe Embark: Jan 5, Bangkok, Thailand Disembark: Apr 20, Bremerhaven, Germany Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Morocco, Scotland

Come face-to-face with complex social structures, diverse religions and geographic regions, and the intersections where tradition and change collide. You will get the chance to engage with organizations working on regenerative solutions to climate change, connect to life in local communities through homestays, experience the spirituality of an Ashram, trek in the Himalayas, kayak through the backwaters, and sample the amazing regional cuisines as you share meals with our amazing partners and soon-to-be new friends. Throughout your journey, the people you meet and the places you stay will teach you about the region's complexities, widen your perspective, and help you gain insights to understand the world's interconnectedness. As you understand how one action impacts another and how the mighty Himalayas affect coastal communities downstream, you can start to explore your purpose and the role you want to play in a globally interconnected world. 2025: CLOSED Spring 2026: February 25 - May 6 Fall 2026: September 24 - December 5

The Western Ghats region is well known to conservationists as a biodiversity hotspot, home to diverse local ecosystems with abundant plant and animal species found nowhere else. The existence of sacred groves in the Western Ghats, where local communities revere and protect remnant forest patches, predates recorded history. In return, these forests provide biological, social, and spiritual benefits. This course aims to deepen our understanding of the relationship between people and nature, addressing key questions about a sustainable future. The award-winning Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF) is our partner and host in India. AERF has worked with communities in the Western Ghats for more than two decades to support groundbreaking work on sacred groves and conservation. Before and following the field experience in India, students will complete coursework via Dragonfly Workshops' Web-Based Learning Community as they apply their experiences to their home institutions.