Welcome to India. A country where history, culture, colors, cuisine and nature exhibit more diversity than nearly anywhere else in the world. A country of amazing paradoxes, where bullock carts and jets co-exist in perfect harmony. Modern India is a shining example of robust economic growth in a democratic setting.

Today’s competitive job market requires applicants to distinguish themselves, and international education experience is the perfect way to do so. Having international education experience is an incredible resume booster, as it shows prospective employers th

at the applicants are motivated, independent, and generally more qualified.

Study tour of India will give students a fresh perspective on themselves, India, and the world. By visiting a foreign country such as India, students will constantly challenge themselves in many new and exciting ways and gain a level of independence they never knew they had. Study tour will expose them to diverse people and viewpoints, and they will get to experience a different way of life apart from their own in the USA or Canada. They will be immersed in the language, culture, and people of the host country.

The only way to begin to understand Asia’s and India’s influence in the global economy is to visit the region, meet its corporate executives and business leaders, and experience its long history and rich culture first-hand. Students will gain international experience in Asia and develop an appreciation of the cultural dimensions of doing business in Asia. Study tour of India may enable students to earn credit towards their current degree.

The Indus Foundation is prepared to partner with American and Canadian colleges and universities in the creation of custom designed international study tour programs that promote global awareness and understanding. The Foundation’s goal is to support administrators and faculty in the complex task of developing, operating, and managing faculty-led study tours of India. The Foundation provides colleges and universities with comprehensive program management that includes: program development assistance, tour itinerary, logistical arrangements, transportation in India, academic coordination in India, and on-site management in India. A representative of the Foundation will accompany the group and faculty.

The customized study tour program will be based on the information provided by individual American / Canadian institutions to the Indus Foundation. The duration of the study tour may range from 10 to 21 days. The size of the tour may be 20 to 30 participants. The tour will cover major cities of India such as New Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Calcutta, and other cities. Students will have the opportunity to visit key corporate offices, industrial parks, and historic sites, in addition to meeting with leading academicians and entrepreneurs. The study tour of India will expose participants to the global cultural and business environment, so that they can see first-hand how fast-growing economies in developing countries provide opportunities for international businesses. Given below is a model of the itinerary of a study tour of India for 16 days.

A Model of Study Tour Itinerary
NEW DELHI

Day 1, Day 2, Day 3
Arrive in New Delhi
Meeting with Commercial Counselor, American Embassy, New Delhi
Visit Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Meeting with CEO, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
Meeting with CEO, Citigroup India
Meeting with President & M.D., Portalplayer India
Meeting with Chief Mentor, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
Visit industry sites: Maruti Udyog, NIIT (BPO), Purolator India

Cuisine: Authentic Mughlai Cuisine in central Connaught Place.
Music and Art: The myriad cultural, musical and art forms of India at Dilli Haat

Sightseeing and shopping in New Delhi:
Qutab Minar, Red Fort, Indira Gandhi Memorial, Indian Parliament, Swami Narayan Temple, Cottage Industries Emporium, India International Trade Fair, Lotus Temple

AGRA – TAJ MAHAL

Day 4
Visit Taj Mahal and Agra Fort

BANGALORE
Day 5, Day 6, Day 7

Arrive in Bangalore
Visit Indian Institute of Science
Meeting with Commercial Specialist, US Consulate, Bangalore
Meeting with Executive Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Meeting with President, UT Worldwide (India)
Visit Indian Institute of Science (IIS)
Visits to Indian corporate offices: Infosys / Wipro, Biocon,
Visit International Technology Park
Visit industry sites: HAL, BHEL, MICO

Dance: Indian dance at Nrityagram Dance Village
Religion and Philosophy: Whitefield set up by Sai Baba
Pub crawling: Best beer in the world at Polo Club / Royal Derby

Sightseeing in Bangalore:
Bangalore Palace, Mysore Palace, Vidhan Soudha, ISCKON Temple, Cauvery

HYDERABAD

Day 8, Day 9, Day 10

Arrive Hyderabad
Meeting with American Consul General, Hyderabad
Visit Indian School of Business (ISB)
Meeting with Regional President, Indo American Chamber of Commerce
Meeting with Managing Director, Answerthink
Meeting with Vice President, D.E. Shaw
Meeting with President, G.E.Global
Visit industry and business sites: Dr. Reddy Laboratories, Satyam Computer Services, Hitech City

Research: Visit International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
Cuisine: Taste the world famous Hyderabadi Biryani
Movie making: Ramoji Film City where Indian movies are made

Sightseeing and shopping in Hyderabad:
Salar Jung Museum, Charminar, Mecca Masjid, Falaknama Palace, Golconda Fort, Paigah Tombs, Laad Bazaar, Birla Temple

BOMBAY (MUMBAI)

Day 11, Day 12, Day 13

Arrive Bombay (Mumbai)
Visit Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Meeting with American Consul General, Mumbai
Meeting with President & CEO, Coca-Cola India
Meeting with Managing Director, Cabot India
Meeting with Director, Forbes Marshall Group
Visit Bombay Stock Exchange
Visit industry sites: Hindustan Lever, Reliance, VSNL

Research: Visit Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Movie making: Film city where Indian movies are made
Cricket: Witness a cricket match, the most popular sport in India

Sightseeing and shopping in Mumbai:
Elephanta Caves, Prince of Wales Museum, Sir J.J.School of Art, Gandhi Memorial, Dhobi Ghat, Kanheri caves

CALCUTTA (KOLKATA)

Day 14, Day 15, Day 16

Arrive Kolkata
Visit Indian Institute of Management
Meeting with American Consul General, Kolkata
Meeting with Regional President, Indo American Chamber of Commerce
Meeting with Managing Director, Quaker Chemical
Meeting with Director, Ernst & Young
Meeting with Chairman, Netguru Systems
Meeting with Executive Director, ITC Ltd.
Meeting with Managing Director, Tata Tea
Visit industry and business sites: Bata India, Reliance, VSNL, Calcutta Stock Exchange

Nature: Visit Sunderbans, natural domain of the Royal Bengal Tiger
Cuisine: Taste the most popular Bengali fish at Suruchi Restaurant
Cricket: Witness a cricket match, the most popular sport in India

Sightseeing and shopping in Kolkata:
Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Birla Planetarium, Marble Palace, Mother Teresa’s Ashram, Rabindra Sadan, Royal Botanic Gardens, Jain Temple and the New Market

Day 17
Depart Kolkata

Coverage of the Study Tour

The tour covers the following:

1. Visits to key corporate offices, industrial parks, and historic sites.
2. One-on-one meetings with leading academicians and entrepreneurs.
3. Visits to places of cultural interest for experiencing rich Indian culture.
4. An experienced tour leader for guiding the participants.
5. Air travel within India to various cities.
6. Accommodations at first class hotels on twin sharing basis.
7. Visa Assistance and government approvals.
8. Ground transportation in the Indian sub-continent.

The cost of food is not covered (around $ 30 per day person).
Round trip to India (costs around $ 1400 per person) is not covered.
Entry fee of monuments is not covered.
On-Site Coordinator
The program includes the services of an English-speaking On-Site Coordinator. This person or his representative will meet the group flight upon arrival and will be available to assist the faculty leader throughout the program. Services include:

* Confirmation and coordination of all program activities and arrangements
* Assistance with transfers
* Facilitation of hotel check-in and check-out
* Interpretation
* Handling of all appointments
* Assistance with local information and suggestions for free time
* Liaison with Indian officials, leaders, etc.

The faculty leader will act as a liaison between the student group and representatives of the Indus Foundation.

Visa Requirement
Visas are required for all foreign citizens to enter into India. The details of the visa fees, visa application forms, etc. can be found at the websites of the concerned Indian embassy or consulate.

The Foundation will be pleased to assist American and Canadian universities for organizing customized study tours of India. Requests for organizing customized study tours of India must be made at least six to nine months in advance of the tour dates. Interested institutions are requested to provide the following basic information so that a customized study tour program may be developed.

* Specific objectives of the tour.
* Number of students likely to participate in the study tour.
* Duration of the tour and indicative dates of the tour.
* Cities in India that students may like to visit.
* Any other pertinent information about the tour.

(Please note that hotel tariffs in India are now one of the highest in the world. The tariffs are increasing by around 50 percent per year because of the huge influx of foreign visitors coupled with acute shortage of star hotel rooms.)