This program will go again in May 2014 - the on campus course will meet throughout the Spring 2014 Semester.  Check back later for details.

Program overview:

Food, Nutrition and Health: Service Learning in India, is a program to help students understand the efforts behind tackling nutrition issues in the second most populous country in the world. This program will introduce students to the agriculture that sustains and affects food security and rural livelihoods in India and programs developed to impact health and nutrition, particularly in rural areas. Students will spend three weeks in the state of Karnataka in southern India, working on bi-national teams with Indian students, shadowing professionals who provide leadership in Self Help Groups, working on community-focused problem solving with local Extension personnel, improving child and family nutrition and other development efforts. In support of these efforts, students will assist in developing key tools that Indian professionals will use in their efforts to assess community needs and improve nutritional intake for children. This program will introduce students to southern Indian foods and the cultural/religious restrictions of food in this region. Pre-departure class will be Monday evenings.

Summer 2012 travel dates: May 9 - June 2, 2012

Course: FSHN 496 or GLOBE 496 (1 credit for spring; 3 credits for summer). Class will meet for pre-departure orientation beginning February 20, 2012 (Monday evenings).

Group leaders: Dr. Manju Reddy (mbreddy@iastate.edu), Dr. Sarah Francis (slfranci@iastate.edu)

Program fee: $3,850 which includes airfare, lodging, program transportation, all entrance fees, program coordination, visa and group meals. If you purchase your own airline ticket, you will be billed the program fee less the cost of the airline ticket.

Other Fees - 1) $10 program application fee to the Ag Study Abroad office; 2) $105 study abroad administrative fee charged by Study Abroad Center; 3) tuition and fees for 3 credits during summer 2012

Out of Pocket Personal Cost - 1) passport which costs $135 if you don't already have one; 2) ISIC (International Student ID Card) which costs $26; 3) health insurance if you are not covered on your existing policy; and 4) immunizations (varies based on where you go). Of course, there are also other personal costs, such as some meals and souvenirs, etc.

Program fee, tuition and fees, and the $105 administrative fee will be applied directly to students' Ubill .

If you are in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and a first time traveler, contact Jodi Cornell at jcornell@iastate.edu to see how you can get the cost of your passport reimbursed.

Program prerequisites: Undergraduates from any Colleges at ISU and students from other universities will be considered, however preference will be given to students who can express a strong interest in integrated agriculture, food systems, nutrition and health, particularly in India.

Criteria for selection: 3.0 GPA or higher preferred. Willingness to work with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds, keen interest in learning about and working in a developing nation, must have stamina and be willing to prepare for long, active days in the warm environment of southern India.

TENTATIVE ITINERARY:  Tentative Itinerary in India.docx

For more information please come to 111 Curtiss Hall or click here