India Ki Khoj Cultural Trip

The Caltech Y, in partnership with the Caltech SURF Program and IIT Gandhinagar (IITGN), is coordinating a trip to Gandhinagar, India. This trip is designed to introduce Caltech students to the many layers that form identity in India. Through a combination of academic lectures and fieldtrips, IITGN faculty will take participants through the India of the past, present and future, relating India’s ancient traditions of philosophy, science and technology to a present-day India.

The trip will take place in Gandhinagar, located on the west coast of India, a region chosen by Gandhi as the center of his political campaigns and social experiments.  Nearby, Ahmedabad also has a long-standing tradition of business and entrepreneurship as well as striking architecture. It is a historic city steeped in tradition that is also responding rapidly to modernity and globalization.

ITINERARY

December 13               Leave Caltech

December 15               Arrive in India

December 16-21          Workshops, Discussions, Fieldtrips

December 22               Leave India

December 22               Arrive in US

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Talks and discussions will be led by IITGN faculty and other guest speakers. Topics include:

• History

• Religions in India

• Democracy

• Caste and community structures

• Science and technology (both ancient and modern)

• Science policy

• Indian philosophical traditions

• India as an economic market

• Gender issues

• Poetry and films

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Thanks to our partners, IITGN and the SURF Program, this trip is heavily subsidized. The $1500 student fee includes transportation, lodging and meals while in-country, visa processing fees and travel insurance.  Immunizations are required, but not covered in the fee. Knowing that some students may face exceptional financial barriers that could prevent their participation, participants are given the option to break up their fee over time, and/or to apply for the Global Perspectives Scholarship in order to receive additional subsidy, if needed.

Because this trip is scheduled at the beginning of winter break participants may choose to travel independently to a different destination when the program ends or to return with the group to Caltech. The trip is open to all undergraduate students. 

For questions, please contact caltechy@caltech.edu. Space is limited.