Study abroad trip to India and Nepal

Carl Lindquist, coordinator of study abroad programs, and Deepak Neapane, a journalism graduate student of Nepal, gave an informational presentation Saturday on a summer 2011 study abroad trip to India and Nepal.This is the first time such a trip has been organized. Students will have the opportunity to earn three credit hours for the summer one session if they do choose to attend the trip. The three credit hours are offered as a special problems internship, practicum or other course within a student's major.

The length of the trip has been shortened to being held from May 16 to June 7 instead of from May 16 to June 16. The expense of the trip for participants had not been determined yet, but Lindquist announced that it should cost between $4,200 and $4,500 and will be closer to the $4,200 figure. That cost would include travel, tuition and lodging. Students are encouraged to apply for an ASU travel voucher/study-abroad/travel-voucher, which subsidizes the air travel of ASU students up to $1,000.

In addition to students, members of the public, faculty and staff are invited to attend. The cost will be the same, but the amount students pay in tuition must be donated to the ASU Foundation and will go toward study abroad scholarships.During the trip, the group will visit 16 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Sites, seven in India and nine in Nepal. The group will see India's Golden Triangle, which is Delhi, Agra, and Jaipu. The will also visit Fatehpur Sikri in India. They will go to Kathmandu Valley, the Royal Chitwaw National Park and Lubini in Nepal.Students can also get a lot of exposure while studying in such universities and different course Engineering,Intercultural Anglophone and Sociology.

One parent voiced several concerns about safety on the trip. Lindquist said there are three individuals going on the trip who are familiar with the areas the group will visit. He has spent a few years in India, Neapane is a native of Nepal and another participant, Pradeep Mishra, director of printing services, is a native of India. A safety class will be provided to students who do choose to attend. This be scheduled for after spring break.Another concern was vaccinations those attending might need to get. Lindquist said students should consult with a doctor, but he could only anticipate a doctor suggesting a hepatitis vaccination if the student had not gotten one previously, a vaccination for whatever off-season strain of flu might be prevalent and anti-malaria medication.The presentation emphasized that the trip is also an excellent opportunity for students who are doing Heritage Studies projects. The organizers of the trip hope that at least 10 to 12 go on the trip and that it is successful enough to become a yearly tradition.