Short Term Exchanges in India

India is growing as a popular tourist destination and additionally is increasing in popularity as a host location to study abroad. There are various short term and long term study options available for 2021 (post COVID). This article will discuss some of the short term options that are available for all Australian students from a variety of study areas.

When deciding on what short term program is best for you, it is worth reflecting on a couple questions.

1. What do I want to learn on this study tour?
2. How long do I want to go for?
3. What can I afford?
4. How will this benefit my career and academic goals?

By reflecting on the questions above, diving deeper into your own motivations and reasons for travelling to India, you can be sure that you will make the most of your time in India.

Centre for India and Australian Studies  | India Immersion Programme

The Centre for India and Australian Studies (CIAS) in January runs a study tour that serves as an immersion in India. Taking place at India’s number one ranked private university, O.P Jindal Global University, the 3 week program has two focuses:

1. Society, Business and Politics
2. Law, Business and Society

Students can apply to the focus stream that suits their interests best and then are exposed to a variety of lectures, activities, site visits that paint a unique picture of India. During the program, students get the opportunity to study alongside Indian and Australian students. Students are based on campus in the state of Haryana and also travel to New Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. Functioning as a short term exchange, students are given time to explore, socialise and engage with India at their own leisure through both unstructured and structured components; all while living in student dorms and dining in the mess hall.

Previous editions of the program have seen students take part in activities such as:

• Discussions and interactions at the Australian High Commission, New Delhi which included meeting Foreign Minister Marise Payne
• Visit to the Taj Mahal (Agra);
• Tour of the Supreme Court of India;
• Various networking events and opportunities to interact with practitioners, academics and students;
• Engaging lectures with an Indian lens, covering topics such as caste, constitutional law, human rights, contract and commercial law;
• Site visits with local social entrepreneurs and NGOs; and
• Participation in Indian Republic Day and Australia Day celebrations.

The program costs $2000 AUD to complete (excluding flights + travel insurance). Many students from Australian Universities have received academic credit for the program from their home universities.

Past participants have loved the study tour and it has been praised for its academic and culturally immersive components.

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IndoGenius | ReImagining India

IndoGenius allows students from both New Zealand and Australia to come and experience India in just two weeks. They offer study tours throughout the year that are open to Australian undergraduates (from their consortium) regardless of study area.

The IndoGenius consortium of Australian Universities includes:

• University of New South Whales
• The University of Adelaide
• La Trobe University
• University of Technology Sydney
• The University of Queensland
• The University of Newcastle
• Australian National University
• RMIT University
• Queensland University of Technology
• Curtin University
• University of New England

IndoGenius is an intense, jam packed introduction into all things India which means throughout the two weeks you will be exposed to Indian languages, Indian cooking, yoga as well as engage with over 20 local and international organisations in Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur.

Activities include:

• On-site visits and talks with industry experts from various sectors;
• Engagement with government bodies, including the Australian High Commission;
• Visits to prestigious institutions to meet Indian students and learn about their entrepreneurial businesses and ideas
• Visit to the Taj Mahal (Agra);
• On-site visits and activities with social enterprises.
• Interaction with the world’s fastest-growing startup ecosystem.

It is a structured and intentional program that will showcase the best of India in a way that will make the two weeks feel like two months. The total cost is $3250, with some students eligible to apply for the New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant which will cover $3000 of their fee. Academic credit is also possible for participants.

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While these are some of the most renowned study programmes in India, some Australian Universities run their own campus lead study tours. It is worth taking the time to research your home university and see if they have any short term exchanges that suit your needs and interests.

No matter the program you choose, you won’t regret studying abroad in India. The friends you will make, the experiences you will have and the new ideas you will learn, will stay with you for many years to come.