Program Provider:  IES Abroad

Program Site:  IES Delhi Center, Delhi University's Kamala Nehru College, and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). 

Duration:  Fall, Spring, or Year. The fall term runs from late July to the first week of December. The spring term runs from the first week of January to mid May.

Description:  India's capital is a monumental city of layered histories and cultures and at the same time a bustling, forward-moving, modern metropolis. Students with a major or minor in the following fields will find interesting courses that introduce them to India and the region: anthropology, art history, comparative literature, economics, English, history, international relations, linguistics, narrative studies, peace and conflict studies, political science, and sociology. Students of all majors and minors are welcome to participate in this program and learn about a fascinating country and region that are increasingly important politically and economically as well as culturally.   

Students take one Hindi language course and several area studies courses at the IES Delhi Center and are strongly encouraged to take one or more courses (in English) alongside Indian students at Kamala Nehru College or JNU, both of which are among India's most highly-esteemed educational institutions.  Kamala Nehru College is one of the many undergraduate colleges of Delhi University. JNU is a graduate-level institution where third- and fourth-year undergraduates with strong preparation in their major field may take graduate-level courses.

Academics:  Students take intensive Hindi (at their level of proficiency) during the two-week orientation period.  They then take a semester Hindi course and area studies courses at the IES Delhi Center alongside other American students and up to two courses alongside Indian students at Kamala Nehru College or JNU.  Students at Kamala Nehru College and JNU will be limited to certain courses or departments, primarily area studies courses in the humanities and social sciences.  All courses, except Hindi, are taught in English.

Sample IES Delhi Center courses:

• Hindi language (beginning, intermediate, advanced; Urdu available to those fluent in written Hindi)
• Cities of Delhi (includes multiple visits to important sites in Delhi)
• Cultural Diversity, Linguisitc Plurality, and Literary Traditions in India
• India Since Independence
• Indian Microeconomic Development
• Service-Learning (Seminar along with a volunteer placement with a non-governmental organization)

Kamala Nehru College fields of study include:

• Economics
• English
• History
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) fields of study include:

• Art History
• Economics
• History
• International Relations
• Linguistics
• Political Science
• Sociology

Courseload and Credit:  USC students are required to take the semester Hindi course. The maximum number of USC units granted per semester is 16. Students must take a minimum of 15 units. A typical courseload would be Hindi language (4 units), two IES courses (3 units each), and two 3-unit courses at Kamala Nehru College or JNU.

Accommodations:  Students live in a homestay with an Indian family.  Students who do not a want to be the only American student in the houshold may choose to live in a group homestay.  In that case, several IES students will live with the same Indian host family.  Students who are very mature and independent may choose to live in a rooming house arranged by IES Delhi.

Activities and Other Program Features:  Each semester the IES Delhi staff arranges several field trips to nearby locations such as Agra, Mussoorie, and Jaipur as well as a longer trip further afield. Students will spend one weekend in a rural community far removed from any tourist routes. Students are encouraged to get involved in community service, and the IES staff helps students find placements in local service agencies. IES Delhi routinely offers cultural events and guest lectures for students or for individual courses. In the past, students have attended concerts, celebrated local holidays such as Holi and Diwali, participated in regional cooking classes, and learned yoga.

Eligibility: Minimum 3.0 GPA. Hindi is taught at USC by the Department of Linguistics, and students are encouraged but not required to take Hindi before studying in Delhi.

Estimated Semester Cost:
Tuition..........................................$15,380
Additional Expenses*......................$13,981
Total.............................................$29,361

Cost Updated: 12/12/11
Text Updated: 9/6/11

*Additional expenses include estimated costs for airfare, room and board, books and supplies, health insurance, and personal expenses (which can vary greatly from student to student). USC financial aid, scholarships, and tuition remission may be applied to program costs. Please visit the Office of Overseas Studies for more detailed cost information.

Links:
IES Delhi
IES Delhi Blog by USC student
Lonely Planet, India