VEDIKE Global Citizens Programs
UAlbany partners with VEDIKE's Global Citizens for Sustainable Development (GCSD) in India on a co-curricular service-learning model, connecting theory taught in the classroom to its practical application used in the world. It will not only give international exposure to students but also engage them through hands-on experiences like building houses, children's homes, and other facilities for poor communities. The program will also introduce students to Indian society and culture by focusing on three areas – culture, peace, and development. It will focus on Global Citizenship and engage students in issues related to children's rights, education, gender, livelihood, poverty alleviation, rural and sustainable development. Students will work with at-risk children and be involved in activities such as teaching English, math and creative arts, and introducing new sports to the children. Students will also facilitate and participate in discussion forums with their peers in India.
Application Deadline
Program Start
Program End
Program Details
Academic Program
VEDIKE offers a short Global Citizens Program in winter and an extended Global Citizens Program in summer. More information about each is below.
Course Descriptions and Syllabi
WINTER COURSE:
Indian Cultural and Development Immersion Program (3 credits), A-E letter-graded
Suggested UAlbany equivalent: AGLO 366/AGOG 366
This covers India’s recent history and contemporary political, social and economic challenges; the caste system; the variety of religions; social justice, environmental and sustainability initiatives; housing, sanitation, livelihood and educational issues; Gandhian traditions; and rural development. Learning is based on travels, field observations, institutional visits, seminars, reading and written assignments in rural and urban areas of both north and south India. Also includes some conversational Kannada (principal language of the State of Karnataka) and opportunities to engage with the ongoing work of VEDIKE in rural Bangalore.
SUMMER COURSES:
Indian Cultural and Development Immersion Program (3 credits), A-E letter-graded
Suggested UAlbany equivalent: AGLO 366/AGOG 366
This covers India’s recent history and contemporary political, social and economic challenges; the caste system; the variety of religions; social justice, environmental and sustainability initiatives; housing, sanitation, livelihood and educational issues; Gandhian traditions; and rural development. Learning is based on travels, field observations, institutional visits, seminars, reading and written assignments in rural and urban areas of both north and south India. Also includes some conversational Kannada (principal language of the State of Karnataka) and opportunities to engage with the ongoing work of VEDIKE in rural Bangalore.
VEDIKE Global Citizens Internship (3 credits), S/U graded (available in SUMMER ONLY)
Suggested UAlbany equivalent: AGLO 402
This covers participation in the “We Build” initiative to improve housing and sanitation and educational facilities, and also short-term participation in teaching children at Vedike Global School in rural Bangalore. You will have classes and discussions with local specialists, and your overall program will be managed by Mr. Anugraha John and the staff of VEDIKE.
ADDITIONAL OPTION (available in SUMMER ONLY)
You can elect to stay on for an extra 3 weeks after the We Build Program join the We Teach Program, which provides a more extensive internship as a teacher at the Vedike Global School. You would receive an additional 3 credits with the suggested UAlbany equivalent of AGLO 410: International Development Internship (3 credits), S/U graded
As an Intern, you will be involved in preparing and teaching English, math, sports and creative arts lessons for elementary, middle school, and high school level students at Vedike Global School based in rural Bangalore. You will work alongside professional teachers who will guide you and help you prepare and implement lessons. Besides teaching, you may be engaged in some research about development/education issues in rural India. An internship completion certificate will be awarded.
General Education Information for UAlbany Students
Credits earned on this program will automatically satisfy the International Perspectives requirement. No additional approval is required for you to earn these general elective credits.
Major/Minor Information for UAlbany Students
Courses may also satisfy major and minor requirements, upon approval by the department.
Transcript
All courses taken abroad count towards UAlbany General Elective credits. Credits and grades will appear on your UAlbany transcript. You may file a request to have additional courses approved for equivalency as necessary.
Your Instructors
The program logistics and onsite education is organized by the VEDIKE faculty and staff. Grades are assigned by VEDIKE.
Housing
Upon arrival in Delhi, you will stay in comfortable double or triple hotel rooms. While in Bangalore, you will move to a comfortable dormitory style accommodation at the VEDIKE Rural Campus in rural Bangalore. During field trips accommodations may include educational institutions, overnight trains, homestays or small hotels. Organized by VEDIKE
Meals
Meals and local transportation are also organized by GCSD.
Estimate of Costs
More Information
Click for more information on Program Costs and Financial Aid.
Remember to speak with the Office of Financial Aid at your home campus to determine how your aid package could apply towards your program abroad.
Academic Requirements
Applications are welcome from students in all majors. Applicants should be in good academic standing with at least a 2.5 GPA preferred. No knowledge of other languages is required.
Experiential Learning
The program is based on engaged learning outside of the traditional classroom. Excursions take place throughout the program. Some examples of the locations are:
Delhi – Capital of India, including the Taj Mahal
Agra, Fatehpur Sikri – State of Uttar Pradesh
Bangalore, Rural Bangalore, Mysore – State of Karnataka
Cochin, Alleppey – State of Kerala
And more!
Funding Opportunities
Most financial aid and academic awards will apply to semester programs.
Also, check out the Gilman Scholarship!
External scholarships, listed on our website, are a good way to partially fund your study abroad experience. In addition, the Center for International Education and Global Strategy offers two scholarship programs for UAlbany students studying abroad on UAlbany or 4-year SUNY programs.
More information on applying to these scholarships is located on the Scholarships web page.
In Their Own Words
“Studying abroad in India in the summer was a life changing experience for me. Seeing the Taj Mahal in person is an image I will never forget for the rest of my life. Living in Rural Bangalore and observing how people there live their daily lives without electricity, warm water, and electronics of any kind really made me appreciate the things that we take for granted every day. Helping the children learn English while playing fun games and sports was so much fun. Participating in the We Build program and giving back to the children at the school was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Knowing that the children at the school will soon be learning in the room that I helped build is amazing. The We Teach internship was also an amazing experience. I learned so many things about each student on such a personal level. My goal after college is to teach English abroad and this internship gave me the tools and experience I need to reach my goal. If you want to participate in a life changing experience where you give back to someone in need as well has learn a lot about yourself and how a culture unlike your own operates, then this program is it!” Jacob Geisler, Geography Major
“It was the most humbling and different experience I ever had in my life thus yet. Every second I spent in India I was learning about their culture, their history, their religion and thats why I study abroad.” – Joami Arias, Business Administration Major
“When I studied abroad with GCSD, I loved India so much that I went back for a second time with the study abroad office. Study Abroad was not only the highlight of my undergraduate career, but lead to a lifelong love of India and a job with Education Abroad. It is easy to say that studying abroad was one of the most meaningful experiences to date!” – Sarah Limmer, TESOL & Communications Graduate Student
Check out the VEDIKE Global Citizens Programs website to learn more about the program: www.vedike.org.in/global-citizens-programs.
About the City
Learn more about Delhi and Bangalore online.
Travel Documents
A valid passport is required to participate in this program. You will need to get a (Volunteer) Employment Visa for this program. More information regarding the visa application process is available upon acceptance to the program.
Application Availability
Applications become available online one semester before the program start date, based on the following timeline:
- Winter Break programs: July
- Summer programs: December
Program Dates
Winter 2019/20
12/29/2019 to 1/17/2020
The tentative agenda for the winter program is available here: GCSD Itinerary Winter 2018-19
Summer 2020
7/12/2020 to 8/15/2020 and additional pre-session teaching program from 6/21/2020 to 7/11/2020
About the Program
VEDIKE is a non-profit and non-government organization based in Bangalore, India and working in rural Bangalore. VEDIKE’s main focuses are:
- Vedike Global School, which aims to provide affordable, quality education to underprivileged and marginalized children in rural Bangalore.
- Community Work: VEDIKE engages in rural community development activities, such as constructing homes and toilets/bathrooms for disadvantaged families; running summer camps, sports days, health camps and after-school tuition for children and adult literacy and capacity programs; and promoting awareness about education, child rights, sustainable development, housing, health and sanitation.
- Global Citizens Programs: VEDIKE runs the Global Citizens Programs to provide volunteer/service learning, study abroad, internship and both urban and rural fieldtrip/excursion opportunities. As well as traveling to different parts of India and learning about Indian culture and development, Global Citizens participants have the opportunity to engage with the ongoing work of VEDIKE in rural Bangalore.
Program Orientations
Upon acceptance to the program, you will be required to attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation. During this time, you will have the opportunity to meet other program participants, discuss in-depth the details of your program, and prepare of the overall education abroad experience. The fall semester pre-departure orientation will be conducted the Saturday before the end of Spring UAlbany classes and in late November/early December for the spring term abroad.
Upon arrival at VEDIKE, you will attend a mandatory program orientation. This is an important and informative set of sessions organized by VEDIKE.
Support Services
UAlbany’s Office of Education Abroad staff assists you during the application process, in your preparation to travel abroad, and on-site if necessary.
VEDIKE staff serve as an experienced resource for resolving issues that you may encounter in while abroad.