A branch of Webber International University
In their own words...
"My time here has instilled within me a special kind of character, one that only comes as a result of a community geared toward opening your mind... not just filling your mind with more information."
- Blair Garnett, Class of '10, from NC

"India: Encounters with Other Cultures"

32- days during the summer of 2009
Very tentatively scheduled for July 9 - August 10, 2009

Signup deadline February 13, 2009

India is probably the most accessible yet different and exceptional culture and civilization one can still encounter in our increasingly homogenized world. The central activity of this study tour will be an eleven day trek in the Himalayas with time in New and Old Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal), Jaipur, and Manali. The focus of the trip will be on recording, reflecting upon, analyzing, and enriching personal experiences and encounters. We will seek to challenge our preexisting ideas and develop new ways of seeing and understanding. This will be Professor Bushoven’s 23rd trip to India.

Open to all St. Andrews students, students from other colleges, alums, and friends of the college who are in good health and physical condition. The trek while physically demanding is not overly so; any able bodied person in good health and physical condition should be able to accomplish the trek without great stress or discomfort. The trip is open to all St. Andrews alums and their families and friends as well as other friends of the college. Since space is limited to approximately 15 persons, priority will be given to St. Andrews Honors students and then other St. Andrews students. Because of the nature of the travel and experiences to be encountered permission of the instructor is necessary. Application and interview required.
The tour leader for the course is Dr. Neal Bushoven. He can be reached via email at cbiii@sapc.edu or 910-277-5237.

Class: Hon 290 and S&BS 290

Learning Outcomes:

  1. increase in appreciation for other cultures and religions, for their own culture, and for humans as creatures whose primary habitat is their culture,
  2. increase in their ability to travel (rather than tour) and further their self-esteem as a competent and capable person,
  3. increase their knowledge and understanding of Indian and Tibetan culture, of the practices and beliefs of the Hindu, Tibetan Buddhist, and Muslim religions, of the national politics of India and the international politics of the region, and of Indian and Tibetan history, and 4. increase understanding of the dynamic relationship of geography, weather, and culture, and the impact of tourists and tourism on peoples and cultures.

Course Requirements:

  • Assigned readings and exercises before departure with a test on geography and the reading upon arrival in India (10%)
  • Daily required meetings of the class to discuss the experiences of the day and the assigned readings for that day (15% for participation and attendance)
  • The keeping of a directed and reflective journal on the experiences encountered and the commentaries read (20%)
  • Two essays while in India (20%)
  • A test at the end of the trip (15%)
  • A final essay due upon return (20%)

Costs: Estimated $3,200

Please note: costs may change according to airfare and other ground costs. This is the best estimate at this time. $1500 plus airfare New York City to India and return (airfare in 2007 was $1550; there is no guarantee it will be as low for this trip. Persons will purchase their tickets directly from our designated travel agent. Tickets must be purchased by March 13th (or sooner if necessary). Costs include all major travel in India (trains and mini-vans), all hotels, visas (note that persons without passports by March 1st will have to obtain a visa at their own cost), all trekking expenses (meals, cooks, guides, porters), and the travel expenses of the professor. Does not include meals (except while on trek), transfers, shots and medications, insurance (other than a basic health insurance), travel to and from the departure city, souvenirs, and basic personal equipment for the trek (hiking boots, rain gear, etc.). Estimated cost while in India $400 to $700. Modest scholarships for all students are available based on need. Honors scholarships are available for Honors students in good standing. Since this trip is a course for college credit, loans and other financial aid may be available.

  

Itinerary:
(Subject to change)

Day 1 - depart United States

Day 2 - flying to India (arrive late evening)

Day 3 - Old Delhi hotel

Days 4/5 - New Delhi

Day 6 - train to Agra (Taj Mahal)

Day 7 - Agra

Day 8 - bus to Jaipur (visiting Fatehpur Sikri)

Day 9 - Jaipur

Day 10 - train to New Delhi

Day 11 - New Delhi

Day 12 - train to Chandigarh (overnight Chandigarh)

Day 13 - mini-van to Manali

Day 14 - acclimatizing in Manali (6725 ft)

Day 15 - Manali Days

16-26 on 70 mile trek with following campsites:

Day 16 - past Sythen (9,500 ft)

Day 17 - Chikha (10,625 ft)

Day 18 - Bhalu ka kera (12,136 ft)

Day 19 - Siliguri (12,300) via Hamta Pass (14005 ft)

Day 20 - Chatru (10,750 ft)

Day 21 - Choladrara (12,136 ft)

Day 22 - Batal (12,300 ft)

Days 23-24 - Chandra Tal lake (13,945 ft)

Day 25 - Kunzum pass (14,927 ft)

Day 26 - jeep return to Manali via Rohtang Pass (11,020 ft)

Days 27/28 - Manali

Day 29 - mini-van to Chandigarh (overnight Chandigarh)

Day 30 - train to Delhi

Day 31 - Delhi ( late evening departure)

Day 32 - arrival USA early morning

Special conditions:

  • HEALTH FORM: Students will only be able to accompany this trip after they have met the requirements of and filled out the forms mentioned in the St. Andrews "Policy on Precautionary Health Care Measures for Travel Abroad." All persons on this trip will be required to fill out a special health form for this trip.
  • ADMINISTRATIVE FEE AND TUITION: Please note that St. Andrews charges $100 "Administrative Fee for Summer International Courses" which must be paid by all persons seeking college credit. This fee is listed in the Estimated Costs section. Students who have not been on a previous summer academic trip or have pursued a prior summer internship will not be charged for the course credit. Otherwise students seeking credit must pay the standard per credit fees.
  • AIRPLANE TICKET: Persons will directly buy their own ticket for the common flight to India from a designated travel agency.
  • DEPOSITS AND REFUNDS: A deposit of $500 will be due by Feb. 2. Unless the trip is cancelled by the college, this deposit will not be refunded after April 1. Full payment for the trip will be required by May 1. Persons not making the final payment by May 1 will be charged a $100 penalty. Persons who have not made the final payment by May 11 may be cancelled from the trip. Persons who withdraw from the trip after May 1 will not have the initial deposit returned and may get a limited refund according to money already spent in making advanced reservations.
  • HEALTH INSURANCE: Please not that the college requires that all persons traveling overseas be insured through a policy purchased through the college.
  • INDEMNITY AGREEMENT: The College requires each person who travels on an overseas trip to sign an indemnity agreement and to fill out a health form. These documents must be filed with the college before departure on the trip. Persons who have not supplied these forms by their due dates will be unable to travel on the trip and will receive a limited refund according to expenditures already committed.
Please contact Neal Bushoven at cbiii@sapc.edu or 910-277-5237.
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St. Andrews University
A branch of Webber International University
1700 Dogwood Mile
Laurinburg, NC 28352
(910) 277-5555 • (800) 763-0198 • (fax) 910-277-5020