Academics
This summer service learning program is open to current students and recent graduates. For those students wishing to pursue academic credits, they may work with their college to pursue internship credits for the NGO work done with Maitri.
All students in the ACM India Summer Program will participate in several areas of study for the duration of the program:
Structured service learning experience with a non-governmental organization
(150-175 hours, 6-week option)
(225-250 hours, 8-week option)
Upon arrival to India, staff from our partner organization Maitri Pune will introduce students to the variety of service learning projects that are available, before their month-long placement with a particular project. In the first week and a half, students will learn about the work Maitri does based in the city of Pune, giving them the experience of learning about NGO work in an urban setting, and identifying specific social issues in the city. Then, students will take a week-long trip to a village in the Melghat region, where they will experience NGO work in a rural setting. After this exposure to different types of initiatives and important local social issues, students will then decide on the particular project they would like to be involved with for the remainder of their stay, volunteering on a daily, full-time basis for the next month on an issue that is important to them. There will be daily and weekly structured reflection and analysis about their experience, and each student will have a mentor who will assist and guide them for the duration of their project. If a student is interested in getting internship or service learning credits from their home campus, they should work closely with their faculty advisor prior to participating in the program. They should also alert ACM, so staff can help assure that the student completes any requirements needed to qualify for credit.
Intensive Hindi language instruction
(8-10 hours)
Instructor: Dr. Sucheta Paranjpe, ACM India Studies Program Director, retired university professor of languages
During the first ten days of Orientation, students will participate in intensive languages classes in Hindi, the primary official language of India. Instruction will focus on functional Hindi, to help students learn how to communicate in everyday situtions they will face during their time in India.
Classes on Indian History, Culture, Traditions, and Intercultural Awareness
(4-6 hours)
Instructor: TBD
During the first ten days of Orientation, students will have numerous classes learning about Indian culture, society, history, and politics. This will include local information about the city of Pune and the state of Maharashtra, as students also spend time exploring the area.
Field trips
Students will have the opportunity to go on various field trips throughout the program. These typically include a city tour and fields trips in Pune and the surrounding area.
An article from the Indian Express newspaper about the Summer Service Learning program.
