Internships in the Himalayan Region of India (Palampur)

Fall, Spring or Summer: 12 weeks

Summer 2009: May 13 - August 15, 2009
Fall 2009: September 6 - December 6, 2009
Spring 2010: January 18 - April 10, 2010

Spring semester 2010 closed

Sponsored by the College of Social Science, the College of Arts & Letters, and James Madison College

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

This program is designed to engage students in a variety of internship opportunities that reflect their career interests, and provide an academic component to reflect upon their professional development.

The program will be hosted by Global Student Consultants (GSC), a professional internship provider jointly based in Novi, Michigan and Palampur, India. GSC staff will secure internships based on a resume and statement of interest, and will provide orientation, internship oversight, room and board, and 24-hour emergency response in Palampur. While the working language of the internships is English, the introductory Hindi course is designed to facilitate cultural immersion.

Opportunities are available for unpaid internships in areas such as:

• microfinance
• primary education
• community-based enterprises
• inter-communal relations
• community health clinics
• gender empowerment
• rural tourism

Palampur is a small city located in the foothills of the Himalayas, in the Kangra Valley region of the state of Himachal Pradesh. Because of its altitude, the climate is temperate, and proximity to the mountains opens many recreational options. The location of the Tibetan Exile community in adjacent Dharamsala and Mcleodganj widens the range of available cultural opportunities.

What can I study?

All students will enroll for a minimum of 12 credits (maximum of 14) in the following courses:

*LL 490	Hindi Language Independent Study	2 cr.
AL 493B	Arts & Letters International Internship	10-12 cr.
MC 400	James Madison Field Experience	9 cr.
MC 401	Field Experience: Analysis and Interpretation	3 cr.
SSC 493	Social Science Internship	10-12 cr.

*Required; all students must enroll in the language course

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.75 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Prior to approval, applicants will be asked to submit a resume, and an essay detailing the applicant's internship interests and relevant background (academic training, professional experience, community service/volunteer work, and relevant skills). Participants must be enrolled for MSU internship or field study credit. Please speak with your college or department internship coordinator to discuss credit arrangements and academic requirements.

Applicants' participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students will be housed in shared apartments that are owned and operated by Global Student Consultants Inc. Apartments are equipped with linens and kitchen necessities. Arrangements for laundry facilities will also be coordinated by GSC staff.

Meals are provided as part of the program.

Who can tell me more about this program?

For information on academic requirements or internship placements contact:

Oumatie Marajh
College of Social Science
201C Berkey Hall
Phone: (517) 353-9202

Bethany Judge
College of Arts & Letters
Phone: (517) 355-6519

Grant Littke
James Madison College
Phone: (517) 353-6757

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program's itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

The program fee for Spring 2010 is $3,462 and includes the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• accommodations
• some meals
• accident and sickness insurance
• field trips

Additional costs not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• MSU tuition and fees*
• airfare
• additional meals
• books and supplies
• passport application fee
• visa application fees (if applicable)
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs are estimated at $4,000 for Spring 2010. Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1st for summer programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.

Return to the Study Abroad Home Page