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The Taj Mahal

• Program Information
• Application Information
• Financial Information
• Contact Information

Study Site

The International Semester: India program will be organized around the theme of “Mughals to Modernity.” The Mughal Empire (1526 to 1707) gave way to the British Raj, followed by India’s independence and the modern period. We will visit several import sites for each of these three periods of India’s history. We will begin in Delhi, India’s capital and once the seat of Mughal and British power. Here we will both tour important historical sites, but also meet with Indian intellectuals to discuss contemporary India. Themes might include: politics, the economy, women’s issues, and the environment. From Delhi, we will visit Agra, home of the Taj Mahal, and then on to Lucknow. This north Indian city is Hindi-Urdu speaking and blends both old Islamic culture with remains of the British presence (including the battered Residency buildings of the great mutiny of 1857) as well as modern espresso bars and bookshops. From Lucknow, we travel to the village of Kotwara, the ancestral home of Indian filmmaker and fashion designer, Muzaffar Ali. As guests in the village, we will have the opportunity to see a north Indian village close-up, and get to know its residents. From Kotwara we dash back to Delhi for last minute shopping and eating before returning to Salt Lake City.

Academics

Students must enroll in History 3565: Mughals to Modernity (4 credits) to participate in this program. No exceptions. The course will meet on Wednesdays from 7:15 pm - 10:15 pm during Spring Semester and include an overview of Indian and South Asian history, politics, culture, and other information necessary to help make the most of the trip to India. Students are required to keep a field notebook during the trip, and combining notes with research conducted at the University of Utah, they will produce a major research paper.

Students enrolling in a full year of First Year Hindi-Urdu (LANG 1010-1) will be eligible for a $1000 scholarship good towards the cost of the trip. Students who drop the language after the first semester will not be eligible.

Program Director

Professor Benjamin Cohen of the University of Utah Department of History will be the instructor for the History course as well as the Program Director in India.  Professor Cohen speaks three Indian languages and has researched and worked in India. He has previously led study abroad programs to India.

Housing

Hotels in India will be safe and clean (students will stay in double occupancy rooms). To keep costs low, and to avoid being isolated, we will stay in guesthouses where possible which are less formal. At times, we will retreat to 4 or 5 star hotels for a night of luxury. Your breakfasts will be free along with all food while you are in Kotwara. Plan to provide your own lunches and dinners while in the hotels. Indian food is relatively inexpensive.

Tentative Itinerary

Eligibility Requirements

• Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
• Minimum age of 18
• Undergraduates must enroll in HIST 3565 (4 credits) during Spring Semester 2008 (class is held Wednesday evenings from 7:15 - 10:15 pm)

Application Deadline

Late applications will be accepted with a $50 late fee through November 21, 2007.

Application Process

• Students must submit a complete application, including a personal statement, one reference form, and a photocopy of the identification page of their passport.Applications are available at the International Center and online.
• The application and $500 initial program payment should be presented or mailed to the Cashier's Window, 165 Student Services Building.  (Please be sure to include your U of U ID number).  The cashier will issue a receipt and stamp your application "Paid."  Return the application materials to the International Center.  All applications will be reviewed by the program director and the International Center staff to determine eligibility.  Applicants will be notified by email of their acceptance into the program.Non U of U students should submit their initial program payment directly to the International Center.
• Additional pre-departure materials will be emailed to all accepted participants.
• If an applicant is determined ineligible for program participation the $500 payment will be refunded in full.
• U of U students, students at other colleges of universities, alumni and qualified members of our community are welcome to apply to participate in U of U study abroad programs.
• Questions about the application process?  Contact the International Center.

Program Cost

$3400 including airfare.

Although not anticipated, the program price may change due to fluctuation of currency exchange rates and contracted agencies, or number of participants.

Includes: Airfare (round-trip Salt Lake - Delhi), airport transfers, visa fees, lodging (double accommodation) and breakfasts in hotels, ground transportation in India between cities, scheduled excurions and city tours, international health insurance.

Does not include: Passport, tuition for academic courses, lunches and dinners, personal expenses, and personal ground transportation. 

Refund Policy

$200 plus any unrecoverable costs to the International Center at the time of withdrawal are non-refundable. To withdraw, the applicant must formally file a Withdrawal Form with the International Center. If an applicant is determined ineligible to participate, the $500 deposit will be refunded in full.

Scholarships

Matriculated U of U students may be eligible to apply for scholarships to assist with the cost of the program.

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