The Real India

Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry, India
Summer Session II (July 7 - August 16)

This program is based in Visakhapatnam (also known as Vizag), the largest city in the state of Andhra Pradesh and located on the Bay of Bengal coast, roughly halfway between Chennai and Kolkata. A smaller city by Indian standards (about 2 million people) and generally off the tourist beaten path, Vizag offers an opportunity for students to live in and learn about India in an in depth and casual manner. Students will explore and study cultural, historical, and religious sites located in the vicinity of Vizag, and have opportunities for undergraduate research, independent study, and/or community/service learning. Housing and food will be provided for in the quiet community of Lawson’s Bay, located near the oceanfront and Kailasagiri, a mountain with a cable car!

The program coordinator is Dr. Peter Schmitthenner, a specialist in modern Indian history who has lived in India for over 20 years. Local arrangements will be coordinated by M.V. Krishnayya, retired Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Andhra University, who has worked with American students and scholars for about 50 years!

Click here to view the program brochure.