Insights Abroad-India
(A Program for cultural immersion and volunteering in India)
Objective:
The proposed program is the result of a creative collaboration of dedicated educationists, artists, and intellectuals in Jaipur. The objective is to facilitate a unique experience for people across the globe that will stimulate a stronger connection with India, its cultural roots and heritage. Our ultimate goal in this program is to give participants an opportunity to step outside of their "comfort zone" and learn about life in India by really living it themselves for at least a short time.(Also, to hopefully learn much about themselves, and who they are, or more importantly who they can be. This, in relation to a broader understanding of the world and alternate ways of thinking) At the same time we want to give them an opportunity to give something of themselves back by doing volunteering work to the communities that they visit. In brief, that is our focus as a program. It is our hope that by crafting a total immersion program open for people across the globe, we can help provide these individuals with greater awareness of their own origins, and also acquaint them with the situation of India today.
Program Details:
For groups of 10-24 participants- We offer our “Insights Abroad-India program for cultural immersion and volunteering work opportunities”. This is a structured program specially designed for a group as per the following details:-
This program is designed as a three-weeks experiential learning activity (can be extended up to six weeks) focused on the rich cultural heritage of the greater Jaipur region of India. Specific cultural items to be explored include:
• Arts and crafts including puppet-making, block printing, blue pottery, miniature painting, Tie & Dye Textiles, Batik Painting workshop etc.
• Visual and performing arts including dance, drama, puppet shows, storytelling, visit to local folk artist’s colony etc.
• Architecture and design including field-trips to local palaces, gardens, historic buildings, and other sites of architectural interest.
A second component of the program is aimed at exposing these participants to some of the rural communities in South Rajasthan. Incorporating a short rural home-stay component would allow these individuals to join host families in their daily chores of life, do some volunteer work at different sites and gain some vital insights into the development issues that face certain Indigenous communities in this area.
The Volunteer work opportunities may include the following:-
• Teaching English/ sports/play-way method of learning in local community school to the children from indigenous communities.
• To help in construction/ repair work in local village schools.
• Help in building Check dams and gully plugs for irrigation and repair of hand pumps etc.
• Interactive sessions with subsistence farmers in recently opened Farmer schools to promote innovative and eco-friendly agrarian practices. The participants could be attached with these schools and they can interact and exchange knowledge with local farmers.
• During harvesting season, the participants can join their host families and help them at their farms.
• We will encourage the participants, in general, to join daily chores of life with their host families during the village stay.
The Challenges
Since this program is designed to be an intensive cultural immersion, certain aspects of it may be both physically and emotionally challenging. India is currently emerging as a global economic power, which has triggered massive changes in both urban and rural societies. For India, it is a time of complicated self-reflection and questioning, as an ancient and traditional society confronts modern economic and social challenges. The participants in this program may find some of their preconceived notions about both urban and rural India challenged and tested during these demanding three weeks. In addition, the climate of Rajasthan is hot and dry, and the rural excursions may involve traveling in mountainous or harsh terrain. The rural home stay with poor subsistence farmer families will be particularly challenging the comfort levels of the participants. However, those coming with an open mind and a healthy attitude to learn and experience from this rich and stimulating environment, will be well situated to enjoy personal growth and development.
The Program Schedule
This would be a three-week program spread across two different regions and themes within Rajasthan. The program begins in the greater Jaipur environs, and focuses on the first component of art, crafts, and architecture. In the second half of the program, the participants will travel to Udaipur, where they will explore and experience village life through a rural home-stay. The focus in the second half will be on rural development, subsistence agriculture, and environmental issues.
Days Location Highlights
Day 1 New Delhi Group arrival and welcome
at the Airport. Checking-in to
the guest house.
Day 2 Delhi/Jaipur Introductions, Orientation activities,
health-orientation, visit to Lodi
gardens, Bus to Jaipur. (about 6 hour’s
journey).Check-in to the guest house
in Jaipur, welcome/folk Dance.
Day 3- 9 Jaipur Home stay, morning yoga, basic
Hindi lessons, lectures on the history
and archeology of Rajasthan, temple
architecture, Theatre, women’s issues,
lect. /demo. on tie & dye textile, blue
pottery, Dhrupad music And Jaipuri
Kathak Dance, excursions to main
Archaeological sites, museums,
temples, Sufi shrines.
Day 10 Free day, evening train to Udaipur
Day 11-13 Udaipur Workshop on Batik Paining, Lectures
On voluntary sector, development
Issues followed by visits to NGOs.
Day 14-18 Ogna Village Village home stay with indigenous
Families, volunteer work, learning
about Subsistence farming, Adivasi
village Life, development issues,
Organic Farming initiatives.
Day 19 Udaipur/Jaipur Free day, Evening train to Jaipur.
Day 20 Jaipur Program evaluation, Farewell dinner
With host Families.
Day 21 Jaipur Program ends. Delhi/Airport Drop-off.
Staff Bios
Some of the founding members of our foundation had been Involved in administering Cross-Cultural experiential learning Programs in India for American and/or Canadian students for many years.
Director -Rishi Chaturvedi
Mr. Chaturvedi has been involved in administering SIT/World learning. College Semester Abroad Program in India for American Undergraduate students for 13 years. He worked as an In-Country Program Coordinator and that as a senior administrative position an the specific responsibilities include but not limited to: In-Country Administration, selection of faculty members for the interdisciplinary seminars, building strong relationship with NGOs, supervise general office/program centre needs, home stays, student's counseling, language and cross-cultural Training, logistics etc.
Program Coordinator- Dr. Rekha Bhatnagar
Dr. Bhatnagar is a Professor of Fine Arts in one of the most prestigious women's college in Jaipur. She has over 10 years of experience in organizing and facilitating study Abroad programs for visiting Canadian students, In-Country Administration, selection of faculty members for the interdisciplinary seminars, field trips, Home stays, student's counseling, language and cross-cultural Training, logistics etc.
Behind us is a dedicated team of Tazurba volunteers, host families and other resource people like guest faculties, visual and performing artists, fraternal NGOs and service providers.
Costs & Dates
US $ 1000 per person
US $ 175 per person for each extended week.
Proposed Dates
For Groups:-
Option I- November 25-December 15, 2008
Option II- January 7--27, 2009
Option III- October 4- 24, 2009
Option IV- November 25- December 15, 2009
Institutional Capacity
Our core team of Tazurba staff and volunteers has all necessary
skills, experience and talents to successfully run the program. We have wide
ranging contacts in academics, art and culture world and intelligentsia.
Behind us is a dedicated team of Tazurba volunteers, host families and
Other resource people like guest faculties, visual and performing artists,
fraternal NGOs and service providers.
Our partner and host of the Ogna Village stay, Gandhi Manav Kalyan Society (referred to as MKS) is a non-profit, non-government, voluntary organization working in the tribal belts of Aravali region of Rajasthan. MKS has been working for the past two decades to empower and strengthen the marginalized tribal communities in this region. MKS has a dedicated team of 14 full time staff members and 112 local field level volunteers.
Contact us
Email-
chaturvedirishi@hotmail.com
