The India Winterim is an intensive, three-week field-based program that provides students with the opportunity to learn from and directly interact with leading social entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations and academic institutions within India’s diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and geographical mosaic. Each course is based in one of several cities throughout India. This program is designed for undergraduate students, graduate students and community members with related interests and experience.

Click here to read a recent article about the program in SPAN Magazine, an ezine published by the US Embassy in New Delhi.

Academic Program

The India Winterim program allows students to explore their interests in art and architecture, biodiversity and sustainability, education, entrepreneurship, housing, performing arts, physical therapy, renewable energy, social work, water resources or other development issues in India. Specific courses vary each year. In 2012-13, 141 students participated in 9 different courses. Each section is led by UI faculty and has its own disciplinary perspective. Students work with NGOs in India employing a diverse variety of techniques to address social issues.

The working language for all courses is English although you are sure to come away with a few new phrases in one of several local languages. And while each course is different, the weeks in India are devoted to learning about and developing solutions to real-world problems. The courses are taught through a combination of lectures given by University of Iowa professors and local NGO representatives, although most of the teaching/learning occurs outside the traditional classroom.

The list of courses for the 2013-2014 session will be available by early July 2013. In the meantime, take a look at the syllabi from last year's courses to get a sense for what courses this year will be like.

2012-2013 India Winterim Courses

•Eco-sensitive Low-cost Housing: The Kerala Experience (Section 001)
Professor Jerry Anthony, Urban & Regional Planning

•Sustainable Development in Kerala (Section 002)
Professor David Osterberg, Occupational & Environmental Health

•Economic and Health Care Innovations to Help Women and Children (Section 003)
Professor Amy Butler, Social Work

•Pain, Palliative Medicine, and Hospice Care (Section 004)
Professor Joann Eland, Nursing

•Megafauna Conservation in Southern India (Section 005)
Professor Marc Linderman, Geography

•Diagnosing Diseases: Patient History and Physical Examination (Section 006)
Professor Harald Stauss, Health & Human Physiology

•Health Sciences and Rehabilitation Medicine in India (Section 007)
Professor John Yack, Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation

•Music, Dance, and Culture of India (Section 008)
Professors Alan Sener & Trevor Harvey, Dance & Music

• International Development of Teacher Leadership and School Transformation (Section 009)
Professor Susan Lagos Lavenz, Education

•Forests, Water, Climate: Saving the World One Village at a Time (Section 010)
Professor Uday Kumar, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

•Development of Resilient and Sustainable Agricultural Watersheds (Section 011)
Professor Marian Muste, Civil & Environment Engineering

•Art and Architecture of India: North Central States (Section 012)
Professors Anita Jung & Susan White, Art & Art History

•In Search of Excellence in Social Entrepreneurship (Section 013)
Professor Joe Sulentic, Business & Entrepreneurship

Cultural Activities

Excursions are a central part of the academic component of this program. Participants visit a variety of local NGO facilities (and engage with their clientele), hospitals, museums, temples and other significant historical, cultural and environmental sites.

Program Dates

This program takes place during the University of Iowa's winter break. Specific dates vary by year. The program dates for the 2012-2013 session were December 28 – January 18. Dates for the 2013-2014 session will be posted here by early July 2013.

For More Information

Cory Petersen, Advisor and Program Coordinator
Study Abroad
1111 University Capitol Centre
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
cory-petersen@uiowa.edu

To set up an appointment, please call the Study Abroad office at 319-335-0353

Online Resources

National Portal of India
Tour India
Lonely Planet: India
The Guardian: India
Maps of India

Course Locations

Program sites vary by year, but each course is typically based in one of the following cities. Take a look at the following links for information about each of the host cities. Information about the host organization each course will be working with will be available here in early July 2013.

Chennai
Delhi
Kochi
Madurai
Trivandrum
Udaipur

Travel Arrangements

Students will fly to their course’s program site. The University of Iowa will help to arrange a suggested group flight. Students are free to make alternative plans if they prefer to do so. After students have been accepted and have submitted their confirmation documents to secure their place on the program, information will be given about how to book flights. Please do not purchase tickets until you receive this information.

Students participating in the suggested group flight will be picked up from the airport and taken to their program site; they will also be taken back to the airport at the end of the program. Students making their own flight arrangements to/from India may be responsible for making their own travel arrangements to their program site of the airport.

Local travel is arranged by the program staff and is typically on trains and private buses. The costs for all program-related travel in India are covered by the program fee.

Accommodation

Participants are housed two to a room in medium-range hotels and/or in NGO dorm-style guesthouses throughout the program. Lodging is included in the program fee, but students will need to cover the costs of their own meals. Meals are often provided on-site by the program hosts; when this is not possible the accommodations are located near to reasonably priced restaurants. Internet access is typically available at all program sites.

Eligibility

The India Winterim program is open to students of all majors in good academic and disciplinary standing, and who have a clear interest and commitment to the program's subject matter. Graduate student applicants should contact the faculty leader of the course they are applying for to clarify what additional assignments or assessments they will need to complete for graduate level work.

Students at other U.S. universities and community members may also apply.

Application Deadline

The Application Deadline for 2013-2014 will be in mid-September.

How to Apply

Applicants should download and submit the appropriate form to the Study Abroad office, along with the additional required documents. For US applicants, this includes:

1- India Winterim application form (available in early July 2013)

2- Statement of Purpose

3- Reference form (in a sealed, signed envelope)>

4- Official university transcripts (UI students may submit a copy of their Completed Grades report from ISIS)

5- A copy of valid passport ID page (if you do not have a passport please indicate that you have applied for one and that you will provide us with your passport information as soon as it arrives. For more information on applying for/renewing your passport, please visit the US Department of State website

6- $50 application fee (non-refundable)

Next Steps

Once your application is received it will be reviewed by the Study Abroad office and your course instructor. You will be notified of your acceptance status by email shortly after the application deadling, and will also receive information about how to confirm your place on the course (additional documentation and a $200 program deposit are required). Details about flights, obtaining a tourist visa, orientation materials, and more will follow.

Important notice for students without a valid U.S. passport, or whose passport will expire before July 2014:

Those with valid passports should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the U.S. from studying abroad, i.e., through July 2014. If your passport is not valid through July 2014 you will need to renew your passport before leaving for India.

Expedited passport processing service is available (although this still takes several weeks and is expensive) and we encourage students to ask at the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.

Costs

The program fees for 2013-2014 session will be announced early in the fall semester. For reference, the program fees for the 2012-2013 session are listed below. Expect the fees for the 2013-2014 session to be slightly higher.

2012-2013 program Fees for Sections 001-011 and 013:
UI Participants: $3000
Non-UI Participants: $3200

2012-2013 program Fees for Section 012 (Art)
UI Participants: $3100
Non-UI Participants: $3300

The program fee includes tuition, orientation, accommodation, program-related transportation in India, translators and field guides, and excursions/cultural programs. Higher fees may apply for some sections to reflect higher costs of accommodation and services in certain locations.

The program fee does not include airfare (approximately $1850), food (~$400), passport (~$135), Indian tourist visa ($81), immunizations (variable, but typically ~$200), CISI health insurance coverage (~$25), and personal expenses ($300+).

University of Iowa study abroad administrative fees are included for all participants. They are based on tuition set by the Iowa Board of Regents. Please check the Costs of Study Abroad page for more information on these administrative fees.

Program cost sheet

The cost sheet for the 2012-2013 session can be found below. Your home campus may need this information for financial aid purposes.

Sample cost sheet- 2012-2013

Funding

Students may be able to use financial aid (scholarships, grants, and loans) to cover the costs of the India Winterim program. Take a look at the Financial Aid section of our website for information on applying your aid package to study abroad, and speak with the Office of Student Financial Aid office to see what might be available to you.

The Study Abroad office offers several scholarships and grants for Winter session programs. The awards listed below are available to University of Iowa students studying on the India Winterim program:

1- Merit-based Short-Term study abroad scholarship (requires a 3.33 GPA or higher)

2-Need-based study abroad grant (for students who are eligible for financial aid)

3- Diversity Ambassador scholarship (see website for details)

Other awards

4- Other University of Iowa awards

5- External Awards

6- Or a Google search for 'study abroad scholarships'!

If you have any questions about funding for this program, please contact Cory Petersen at cory-petersen@uiowa.edu or call the Study Abroad office at 319-335-0353 for an appointment.

Confirmation Materials

Once you've been accepted to the program (after the application deadline) you'll find the forms you will need to complete and return to Study Abroad in order to confirm your place on the program here.

Passport

If you do not have a passport, please apply for one soon to ensure you receive it before the program begins. You can find more information about how to apply for or renew a passport on the Department of State’s website

Visa

Program participants will need to apply for a *Tourist visa* in order to enter India. After students have been accepted and have submitted their confirmation documents to secure their place on the program, Study Abroad will provide information about the visa application process. Please do not apply for your visa until you receive instructions from Study Abroad.

Orientation

Orientation sessions will be scheduled for late November or early December.

Funding

You can find more information about funding options under the 'Application' tab above.

If you have any questions about funding for this program, please contact Cory Petersen at cory-petersen@uiowa.edu or call the Study Abroad office at 319-335-0353 for an appointment.

Registration

You will need to register for this course on ISIS late in the Fall semester. You will receive more information on registration process from your study abroad advisor.

Students currently attending other universities will need to take the additional step of enrolling as a non-degree seeking student at the University of Iowa, and will receive more information about this process along with the registration information.

Vaccinations and Health/Safety

We’ll address many issues related to health and safety during the information sessions, but until then our general advice is that before you go abroad it is best to check with your doctor about any health concerns you have. Take a look at the Centers for Disease Control website for India-specific health information and visit your doctor or the Travel Clinic at the Student Health Service for any vaccinations you might need.

Safety, too, is vital to your study abroad experience. While India certainly is generally a very safe place, safety cannot be guaranteed anywhere. Take a look at the Health and Safety section of the Study Abroad website for some tips on staying safe abroad.