Chennai India

Bridge Immerse yourself in the diversity of religions, ethnicities and culture that characterize this major Indian city of nearly five million people.

Chennai

Connect Venture to the Taj Mahal, to a former French colony, to a tribal area, and to an ancient Muslim kingdom and dig deeper into India’s complex culture and history.

Act Complete a field placement or business internship in your area of interest (based on availability) to get beyond the classroom and engage with the local community and the corporate world

Chennai Quick facts Location: southern India, on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal Population: 4,792,949 Fun Fact: The area of Chennai known as “Saint Thomas Mount” (or “Santhome”) is where the Christian apostle Saint Thomas is said to have lived.

Table of Contents Bridge the World | Why BCA Chennai?.................................3–4 Connect to Learning | Host university, sample courses......5–6 Connect to Culture | Living in Chennai................................7–8 Act: What Mattered to Me| Student experiences................9–10

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Bridge the

World

Why BCA Chennai? I am glad you are considering journeying half way across the world to a country that is known variously as a land of mysticism, spirituality, and gurus, a growing economic power, a society steeped in traditions or a country where the youth is charging ahead. Whatever time you spend in India — a few weeks, months or years — you will constantly find new sights, sounds, smells, and tastes that trigger your curiosity and thoughts. As a BCA student in India you will meet with people from varied backgrounds, religions, languages, convictions and ideas. In Chennai, you will see the old and new rubbing shoulders together. Your conversations will span wide topics spurred by what you hear and see. Your excursions as part of your study will take you to other parts of India giving you a chance to explore the immense diversity of landscapes, food, culture, people and much more that India has to offer. As your Resident Director, I look forward to being a part of these explorations with you. Being Indian and managing the study abroad program in India, I have the pleasure of not only talking and walking India with

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students but also of seeing India through new eyes, with new questions and alternate perspectives. I do hope you will take the plunge and join me in the process of discovery and learning in India. There will be moments of questioning, struggles with new situations and times when you miss all that is familiar. But, there will be many more moments of friendship, delight, wonder, achievement, excitement, inspiration, fun, and the sheer pleasure of being in a new environment. The India program will provide you with an incredible and memorable experience even if at times it all seems a bit of madness! So read on and get going with your endless list of what, why, where, how and the many more questions that we shall answer together. See you soon in India! Anupama Pai BCA Chennai Resident Director

In India you are faced with a whirlwind of new experiences. These experiences aren’t always pleasant but they certainly help you grow into a more open-minded individual with a more global view of the world. Rebecca Anderson, Elizabethtown College

Connect to

Learning

Overview Suggested Areas of Study »» »» »» »» »» »» »»

Social Work Business Administration History Political Science Sustainable Development Marine Science (Fall 2015) English Secondary Education »» Health and Occupation

Enroll in courses in The Departments of Social Work, History, Political Science, and Business Administration. Students from non-social work majors can choose to take one more elective or a field placement. All social-work majors complete a 200-hour field placement for up to 6 credits. Offered by MCC’s Department of Social Work, field placements are supervised by a professor with an MSW, who will handle your weekly reviews, reflection paper, assessments, reports, etc. Madras Christian College

Founded in 1837 by Scottish missionaries, the College is known as much for its academic standing and leadership-building as it is for social commitment. It is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the Indian subcontinent and is affiliated with the University of Madras, although it is autonomous. In fact, the college was among the first institutions in India to be granted autonomy in 1978. Ranked consistently among the Top Ten Liberal Arts and Science Colleges in India, MCC has a rating of A+ (equivalent to 90-95%) by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The college has 16 departments that offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses in various disciplines including liberal arts, humanities, science and business.

Working at FLI was one of the best parts of this experience. It gave me the chance to be immersed in the education system, to see the lifestyle of village people, and to learn how to work with people who function completely differently. I felt a part of the community through my field placement and I appreciate being able to have that experience. Rebecca Bowman, Elizabethtown College

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Courses View more recommended courses at www.BCAstudyabroad.org.

BCA Signature Courses (Required) SOC210

Exploring Indian Culture and Society

TA110

Conversational Tamil

SWField

Field Placement for Social Work Majors (200 hours; optional for non-social work majors)

Business Internships

Business administration majors do a four-week internship at an Indian or American corporation in Chennai.

Field Placements

Work with local non-government organizations (NGOs), non-profit or community-based organizations in and around Chennai. This is a valuable experience for social work and other majors, offering an inside view of how the people of India are responding to the socioeconomic challenges facing Indian society. Examples of agencies include:

»» KRUPA: work with disadvantaged people in

poverty, illiteracy and under-employment for holistic community development.

»» Indian Community Welfare Organization

(ICWO): work with marginalized and exploited women, commercial sex workers, the transgender community, and the homeless community.

»» Women in Need Foundation (WIN): work for the empowerment of women and children in vulnerable sections of the community.

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Sample courses Social Work

The Department of Social Work has remained relevant to the changing roles of social work around the world. With this in mind, the department offers courses such as international social work, development economics, medical social work, human rights, etc. Students will choose any two courses offered through the Department of Social Work for the I MA and II MA classes during the semester. SWFIELD Field Placement (Required) SW210

Community Organization and Social Action

SW204

Human Rights and Advocacy

SOCIPTD Indigenous People and Tribal Development SW310

Psychiatric Social Work

Business Administration BAM101

Principles of Management

BAM102

Business Economics

BAA102

Business Statistics

BAM204

Financial and Management Accounting

Bam203

Business Organization

BAA306

Financial Management

baa305

E-Commerce

bam510

Business Communication

BAM614

International Business

History HIS203

Gender in Indian History

HIS310

Studies in Human Rights

sochis

Socio-Cultural and Economic History of India (1947-1997)

Political Science / International Relations PS402

Society in India

POLGOV Politics and Governance in India IR210

International Relations

Studying in India would not have been the same, had I not done field work. It helped me grow as a person and really helped me to understand culture, how things worked and operated (or didn’t). I enjoyed seeing India and appreciated the ‘inside’ look I had with this special opportunity. Kristin Hoffman, Manchester University

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Connect to

Culture Founded by the British in 1640 as Fort St. George, Chennai is India’s fourth largest city with a legacy that spans over 367 years. Located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal, Chennai is a major center for the automobile, computer, technology, hardware manufacturing and healthcare industries. Traveling through the city, you will experience first-hand the rapidly changing face of Indian society and economy, as well as witness the challenges these developments pose. Excursions

City Life

Chennai is an important center for Carnatic music and hosts a large cultural event, the annual Madras Music Season, which includes performances by hundreds of artists. The Tamil film industry, one of the largest film industries in India, is based in the city; the soundtracks of the films dominate its music scene. The city also has a vibrant theatre culture and is an important center for Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form.

Housing, Meals and Transportation

On-campus student housing: air-conditioned rooms furnished with a single bed, closet, desk and chair. Women live in Martin and Margaret Halls and men in Thomas Hall. Meals: a common dining room is located in each hall. Your room also has a small kitchenette to use as needed. Local Transportation: train, shared autos and buses.

India was completely different from what I had expected; it was so much better. I learned so much not only about the culture, but about myself. Amy Eckendorf, Houghton College

Included in the program fee, educational excursions offer an exciting way to examine important global issues affecting the local people and environment. Destinations may change and vary by semester, but can include a few of the following locations:

»»Delhi: India’s capital and home to one of the world’s largest mosques

»»The City of Agra: learn the history of the world famous Taj Mahal and its unique architecture

»»Wyanad: a tribal area where you can observe and learn about life among one of the indigenous tribes of India

»»Hyderabad: a glimpse into history of this

southern Muslim kingdom and its modern day metamorphosis

»»Mamallapuram: A UNESCO heritage site »»Pondicherry: a former French colony

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Act

What Mattered to me student experiences in Chennai

Bridging The World

I met some great people, learned about mental health and women in Indian culture, traveled through the city, and overall just opened my eyes to things I would not have gotten through simply sitting in class or doing tourism.

Connecting to culture

Anne Church, Loras College

Do not compare things to your own culture but just embrace it for what it is and you will learn so much more. Amanda Isom, Bethel University, Minnesota 9

Where I am

now

We had just the right number of excursions, and they allowed us to see other parts of India.

I can honestly say that the internship was my favorite part of my study abroad experience. I fell in love not only with the country, but the work that I was doing and it has motivated me to continue to pursue [HIV/AIDS research] back in the States. Taylor Whetsel, Juniata College

Sara Kratz, Palm Beach Atlantic University

Honestly, my field placement is the one thing I will never forget about India. My time would have been incomplete without it. I was able to understand my course material better and was constantly exercising my brain to come up with new plans and creative solutions. Rebecca Anderson, Elizabethtown College

I learned so much in the city, in a village, in the dorm. To experience another culture is a wonderful thing. Laura Delehanty, Juniata College 10

Rooted in the values of peace and justice, BCA Study Abroad promotes international understanding, awareness of global citizenship and academic scholarship through educational exchange.

Our Mission

www.BCAStudyAbroad.org

BCA Study Abroad Programs 2014–2015 Austria: Vienna India: Chennai

Quick Facts Dates of Study: The end dates for each semester vary depending on whether you apply for Social Work or All Other Majors as well as their field placement. »» Fall Semester: late June – mid-November »» Spring Semester: early January – end of April Application Deadlines »» Fall Semester: April 15 »» Spring Semester: November 1 Language of Instruction: English. No previous language experience required. Host University: Madras Christian College Housing: student housing at Madras Christian College

Belgium: Brussels

Ireland: Maynooth

China: Dalian

Mexico: Xalapa

Ecuador: Quito

Morocco: Tetouan

England: Cheltenham

New Zealand: Dunedin

Germany: Marburg

Palestine: Ramallah

Greece: Athens

Spain: Barcelona, Valladolid

BCA’s Comprehensive Fee Covers »» Tuition »» Housing »» Meals or meal stipend »» Excursions »» On-site staff »» Seminars and guest lectures

A. 50 Alpha Drive · Elizabethtown, PA · 17022 P. 717-361-6600 or Toll Free (U.S.): 1-866-222-6188 E. [email protected]

»» University services »» Academic advising »» Orientation program »» Language Training (where applicable) »» Academic transcript »» On-Call International Travel Assistance