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 (or near) 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, journalism, performing arts, physical therapy, renewable energy, social justice and law, social work, water resources or other development issues in India. Specific courses vary each year. In 2011-12, 142 students participated in 9 different courses. Each section is led by UI faculty and has its own disciplinary perspective. Students work with Indian NGOs 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.

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

December 28, 2012 – January 18, 2013

For More Information

For further assistance contact:
Cory Petersen
Study Abroad, International Programs
cory-petersen@uiowa.edu
319-335-0353

Online Resources

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

Course Locations

Chennai

•Music, Dance, and Culture of India
Professors Alan Sener & Trevor Harvey, Dance & Music

Delhi/Multiple cities

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

Dindigul

•Tiger Conservation in Southern India
Professor Marc Linderman, Geography

Gurgaon/Delhi

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

Kochi

•Sustainable Development in Kerala
Professor David Osterberg, Occupational & Environmental Health

Madurai

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

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

•Health Sciences and Rehabilitation Medicine in India
Professor John Yack, Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation

•International Development of Teacher Leadership and School Transformation
Professor Susan Lagos Lavenz, Education

•In Search of Excellence in Social Entrepreneurship
Professor Joe Sulentic, Business & Entrepreneurship

Trivandrum

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

•Pain, Palliative Medicine, and Hospice Care
Professor Joann Eland, Nursing

Udaipur

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

Travel Arrangements

Students will fly to their course’s program site. Students 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. 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.

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. This will happen in October/November.

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 who have a clear interest and commitment to the program. Students at other U.S. universities and community members may also apply. Graduate student applicants should contact the faculty leader of the course they are applying for, to clarify what additional assignments or assessments they’ll need to complete for graduate level work.

Application Deadline

The Application Deadline for 2013-2014 is September 20, 2013.

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:

• official university transcripts (UI students may submit a copy of their Completed Grades report from ISIS)

• 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.

• reference form (in a sealed, signed envelope)

• application fee of $50 (non-refundable)

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 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.

US Applicants:India Winterim Application

India Applicants:India Winterim Application

Important notice for students without a valid U.S. passport, or whose passport will expire before July 2013:

Those with valid passports already should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months PAST the anticipated return to the U.S. from studying abroad, i.e., through July 2013.

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 2012-2013 India Winterim courses are listed below. Higher fees may apply for some sections to reflect higher costs of accommodation and services in certain locations. The program fee includes tuition, international health insurance coverage, orientation, accommodation, program-related transportation in India, translators and field guides, and excursions/cultural programs. Airfare and an Indian Tourist Visa fee are not included in the program fee.

Program Fees for Sections 001-011 and 013:
UI Participants: $3000
Non-UI Participants: $3200

Program Fees for Section 012 (Art)
UI Participants: $3100
Non-UI Participants: $3300

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Students may be able to use financial aid for winter courses, particularly if you already use it for fall/spring. Speak with the Financial Aid office to see what might be available to you.

Winter study abroad students are also able to apply for Study Abroad scholarships. There are three: Need-based (for those who use financial aid), Merit-based (for those with a GPA of 3.33 and above), and a Diversity Ambassador scholarship (eligibility includes students from under-represented backgrounds, LGBT students, students with disabilities, first generation college students, and others.). Deadlines to apply for these scholarships are in September and October for Winter session programs.

Confirmation Materials

Once you've been accepted to the program (after the application deadline of September 27, 2012) you'll find the forms you should complete and return to Study Abroad in order to confirm your place on the program here. An additional document is required for non-UI or non-degree students.

Please SUBMIT the following items to Study Abroad by October 15, 2012:

• Confirmation of Participation Form

• Program Deposit of $200 (Check payable to 'University of Iowa')

• Medical Self-Assessment Form

• Copy of your Passport ID page (if you have not already submitted this)

• Transcript Request Form (Non-UI and Non-Degree Applicants ONLY)

Please READ the following items and keep for your records:

• Withdrawal Schedule and Fees

• International Medical Insurance

•UI Financial Aid procedures (UI students only)

Non-UI and Non-Degree Participants

In order to receive a Transcript for your participation in the University of Iowa's India Winterim program, you must submit a Transcript Request Form. One transcript will be issued to you at no additional charge after completion of the course. Be sure to include your name, signature, birth date, university ID, residing address, and the address your transcript should be sent to (check with your home institution's Study Abroad office to confirm this). Please submit the Transcript Request Form with your confirmation documents.

If you wish to request additional transcripts, they are $15 each and a separate request should be sent to the University of Iowa Registrar's Office.

Passport

If you have not already done so, please submit a copy of the information page of your passport to Study Abroad as soon as possible. If you do not have a passport, please apply for one immediately 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

After students have been accepted and have submitted their confirmation documents to secure their place on the program, information will be provided about how to apply for an Indian Tourist Visa.

Orientation

Orientation sessions will be scheduled for November or early December.

Funding

If you have already applied for the Need-based grant, Merit-based Summer and Short Term Scholarship or the Diversity Ambassador scholarship through Study Abroad, you will be informed of the outcome soon.

Applications for these awards are due on October 15th, so if you have not yet applied please do so soon! You can find more information about scholarships and other financial aid on our Financial Aid page.

Registration

You will need to register for this course on ISIS using a special permission code. We will send this information to everyone later in the semester.

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 soon!

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 Nurse 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.