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IFSA - The City, the River, the Sacred (Outgoing Program)

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Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Program Type: Study Abroad Areas of Studies: Anthropology, Art History, English, Environmental Science, Fine Arts, History, International Relations, Liberal Arts, Literature, Music, Peace Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, Studio Arts, Theology, Urban Studies, Women's and Gender Studies
Language of Instruction: English Minimum GPA: 3.0
Class Standing: 2.Sophomore, 3.Junior, 4.Senior Housing Options: Homestay
Program Description:
 
      
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   Study Abroad in INDIA





The City, the River, the Sacred
                                                                       
 



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 About the Program
Experience how the influx of religious pilgrims to the sacred Ganges River has given rise to unique urban and environmental issues over the centuries. Through studying Hindi or Urdu language, living with a host family, and learning an Indian art form or artisan trade, you will be fully immersed in Varanasi's daily life!

About Varanasi

The ancient city of Varanasi, arguably the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, serves as an important holy site for Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist communities alike. Today, this dense urban center is defined by its close symbiotic relationship with the Ganges River, which can be simultaneously understood as pure and polluted. Artistic and artisanal traditions thrive in Varanasi, known for its silk-weaving and pottery, as well as generations of mastery in classical Indian music forms.

Program Benefits
 
  • Explore the intersections between religious practice, urban studies, and environmental issues through 15 credits of coursework.
  • Learn Hindi or Urdu—and use your language skills on a daily basis as you move about the city.
  • Study the city’s rich traditions—yoga, a traditional Indian instrument or dance form, or artisanal crafts—under a guru, or master teacher.
  • Challenge yourself by living in a city that bombards the senses with new sights, sounds, and smells, and that requires you to rethink much of what you might take for granted.
  • Travel with experienced resident staff to diverse destinations in North India including stops in Delhi, Kolkata, Darjeeling, and the Himalayan foothills.

Scholarships

IFSA scholarships are primarily need-based and factor in any additional cost your study abroad program might have over home school tuition. The awards are $500 for summer programs, $1,500 for semester programs and $2,500 for full year programs. These scholarships may apply to any IFSA program, with the exception of our custom programs.

Take the Next Step!
 

Contact IFSA
6201 Corporate Drive Suite 200 
Indianapolis, IN 46278
1-800-858-0229
studyabroad@ifsa-butler.org
 
 


Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline Decision Date Start Date End Date
Fall 2025 03/21/2025 ** Rolling Admission TBA TBA

** Indicates rolling admission application process. Applicants will be immediately notified of acceptance into this program and be able to complete post-decision materials prior to the term's application deadline.