Summer 2010

4 weeks (mid-May to mid-June)

Sponsored by the Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies and Fisheries and Wildlife in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the College of Social Science

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

This four-week summer study abroad experience is based in the high Himalayan Range in the state of Uttarakhand, India. The focus of the program is ecology:  the ecology of the mountains and their water, soil and forest systems, and the ecology of the people – their history, beliefs and livelihood systems. Students will spend the majority of the time trekking to the Pindari and Kafni Glaciers near the border of India and Nepal. While traveling, they will learn about the flora and fauna of the mountains, spend time studying the water and forest systems, stay in remote villages to learn about the people and their lives, and visit holy places to experience the spirituality of these sacred mountains.

The Kumaoni Hills in eastern Uttarakhand encompass some of the most beautiful and remote mountains in the Himalayan chain. Nanda Devi is the highest peak in India, towering to 25,646 feet. The Pindari Glacier is one of the many glaciers flowing down from these heights. The Kafni Glacier, with closer access by trekkers, is located in an adjoining river valley. This region is an historic crossroads, supporting the ancient trade between India and Tibet.

Today, the hill people are struggling to maintain their small farms and subsistence agriculture. Water sources are drying up as increasing deforestation and degradation of soils take place; these processes are being exacerbated by climate change, impacting agriculture and water availability. Some communities are developing facilities and services for trekkers and other tourists as a way to engage in the cash economy. Although ecotourism is increasing, it does not replace the livelihoods that are being lost to development. Young people tend to migrate to the plains and the older generation struggles to survive. However, within this scenario, many committed people and organizations are working to rehabilitate the ecosystems and to find new sources of income for the people. Organic agricultural products are increasingly being sought by urban consumers. The fruits, flowers and medicinal plants of the region are being processed as alternatives to commercial health products. And the arts and crafts of the region are being recognized for their unique value. This study abroad program will investigate these forces and evaluate the strategies being employed to assist these mountain people in maintaining their lifestyles in a changing economy.

After an orientation day in Delhi, the Pindari Glacier trek will start in the small hill station, Mukteswar, where students will have two days of short hikes to help them adjust to the region and prepare for the physical challenges of the trek, followed by a day trip to Nainital, a nearby village that has significant tourism development. The actual trek into the mountains to Pindari and Kafni Glaciers typically takes 8-10 days, but students will take 13 days so they can visit villages and other places of interest along the way. The trek starts in the village of Song, just beyond Bageshwar, an old trading center. It follows a well-established trail having dhaba (tea stalls) and overnight huts or tenting locations provided by the government for trekkers. Point Zero, the end of the trail at the Pindari Glacier, is approximately five kilometers from Phurkia, the last stopping place before the glacier. The route takes trekkers over roaring rivers, through mountain valleys with glacial water falls and along narrow mountain trails. The glacier is situated between the Nanda Devi and Nanda Kot peaks.

Following the trekking experience, the students will return to Mukteswar and spend two and a half days reflecting on their experiences, developing their papers, and presenting their projects as part of their coursework. Returning to Delhi, students take a side trip to visit the famous Taj Mahal, palaces and other historic attractions in Agra. Two days of local sightseeing and shopping in Delhi will round out the adventure.

What can I study?

Students will be required to enroll for a minimum of six (6) credits (appropriate to their major) from the following courses or others:

Students might choose to take one four (4)-credit course and one two (2)-credit course. Alternatively, students may choose to take one six (6)-credit course or two three (3)-credit courses, or any other combination that results in a total of 6 credits.  Students receive a single grade for all the credits, regardless of the credit arrangement and course selection. In the past, students have developed independent projects around forestry management issues, water quality and access, eco-tourism impacts, local health systems, family systems, gender issues and packaging issues.  Graduate students who choose to participate can be provided relevant graduate credits (talk with instructors).

TENTATIVE PROGRAM ITINERARY

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

What are the requirements?

The program is intended for mature, upper-level undergraduate and graduate students.  All students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.5 at the time of application.  Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.
 
Additionally, students should be in good health and conditioned sufficiently to stand the rigors of trekking in the high Himalayan region. 

An essay is required at the time of application to share information about why the student is interested in the program and in what ways they have been involved in previous outdoor experiences. A personal interview will be held with each applicant prior to program acceptance.
 
Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Accommodations will include youth hostel-type housing in Delhi and tents or lodges in the mountains.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Gail A. Vander Stoep
Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies (CARRS)
131 Natural Resources Building
Phone: (517) 432-0266

Gail Vander Stoep is a faculty member in the Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies (CARRS) and works in areas of tourism, recreation resource management, interpretive communications, and sustainable community development.  Gail has worked with the study abroad program in Australia, the Caribbean and India.  She has traveled in the Himalayan region and, as a certified Wilderness Education Association instructor, has extensive experience in backpacking, climbing, and other outdoor activities.

Mary Andrews
MSU Extension (Emeritus)
1045 Diamond Rd., Mason, MI 48854
Phone:  (517) 676-3517

Mary Andrews, Director Emeritus of International Extension Programs at Michigan State University, was the original director of the program and will continue to assist in the organization of the program.  Dr. Andrews lived and worked in India as a Peace Corps volunteer and is a regular traveler to the subcontinent.  She and her husband, Harry, supervise the Spring Semester Study Abroad Program in India.

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport, both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, because a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.   It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  (A visa is required for the Ecology of the Mountains program.)  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

The program fee in 2009 was $2,903 and included the following:

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs were estimated at $2,400 for 2009.  Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1st for summer programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.

What's next?
Come to a study abroad fair
Talk with a Peer Adviser
Read program evaluations
Attend an info meeting
Apply online
Additional Resources...
Office of Financial Aid	252 Student Services http://www.finaid.msu.edu
MSU Travel Clinic	East Circle Drive http://travelclinic.msu.edu
Academic Advisers	http://www.msu.edu/common/academic/units.html
Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities	120 Bessey Hall http://www.rcpd.msu.edu
Area Studies Centers	International Center http://www.isp.msu.edu
MSU Global Access	Information about the world -- its regions and peoples and important international issues International Center http://www.msuglobalaccess.net/
OSA contact info:	Office of Study Abroad Michigan State University 109 International Center East Lansing, MI 48824-1035 Phone: (517) 353-8920 Fax: (517) 432-2082 Email: studyabroad@osa.msu.edu