University of Wisconsin - Stout

A Spring Break Abroad Experience in India

Estimated Cost: $3,702
Tentative Dates: March 15 - 23, 2008
Deadline: December 1, 2008
Number of Positions: 12-15
Updated: November 13, 2007

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Program Description

Students in the Art and Design Department have a unique opportunity to study and gain a multidimensional experience in Northern Indian art, design, crafts, culture, and history of India. Students will develop a rudimentary understanding of how India's historical legacy influences the regional arts communities while visiting local craftspeople, artists and designers practicing traditional and contemporary art and design. Art and Design Perspectives in Northern India is a specially designed course for students studying art and design to help strengthen their image documentation, visual interpretation, color exploration and aesthetic skills in relation to their specific major. The class size is limited to 15 students to help personalize the academic learning and study abroad experience. Students enrolled in this course will participate in daily exercises and some on-site workshops that will serve as steppingstones to create art and design portfolio work. Site visits include a crafts village, marble factory, block printing and some major historical monuments and architectural landmarks in the golden triangle cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Learning about the sights, sounds and diverse cultural mosaic of India while comparing and contrasting the North American and Indian approaches to art and design will b­roaden students’ perspectives in this field. On return each student will work on a comprehensive project linked to their concentration. This project along with other exercises and materials will be exhibited in the gallery.

India map of France

The Golden Triangle circuit of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur tells the story of the royal splendor and statement of power in Northern India. India is the largest democracy in the world. The capital city of Delhi houses the Parliament and is a blend of historical ruins, museums, street bazaars and cosmopolitan culture. Agra, famous for the Taj Mahal in addition to other forts, palaces and mausoleums built during the Mughal empire. The walled city of Jaipur also called the Pink City has a wide variety of cottage industries and is especially known for its arts and crafts. Students will visit these cultural and architectural splendors while collecting materials, working on on-site exercises, gathering images and conducting research.  

Courses

Students will enroll in DES-256-0S1 and receive three credits for this course upon successful completion. In this course students will be encouraged to explore ideas, media and processes that expand their understanding of art and design with special emphasis on their concentration. This class will meet once a week for one hour two weeks prior to the travel dates to India and continue upon return until the end of the semester to facilitate an environment for successful completion student projects.

Estimated Costs

Students will pay a program fee to UW-Stout to cover the cost of tuition and fees, health insurance, international student ID card, housing, meals, flight, site visits, and ground transportation. Passport fees, additional meals, and personal expenses are paid directly by the students. Eligible students can use their financial aid to help pay these expenses. Need based scholarships are available to eligible Wisconsin residents. If using financial aid for this experience, make sure to contact your financial aid counselor at the start of the fall semester if additional funding is needed.

Estimated Program Cost: $3,702

Estimated Personal Expenses: $390

Total Estimated Costs: $4,092

Eligibility

This program is open to students in Art and Design. Applicants must be at least a sophomore, have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0, and be in good academic standing at time of participation. Students must also go through a background check and be cleared by the Dean of Students.

Housing and Meals

Students will be staying in three to four star hotels on a two to three persons sharing basis with all meals included in all three cities Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

Passport/Visa

All students must have a valid US passport for entrance into France. The current passport fee is $100. If students already have a US passport, be sure to check the dates of validity. It must be valid for six months beyond the return date to the US.

Application Procedures

Please make an appointment with the Office of International Education (OIE), 400 Bowman Hall, to review and receive the application materials. Completed forms are returned to OIE. A $100 nonrefundable application fee is paid to the Student Business Services Office located in the Administration Building at time of application. Once accepted by UW-Stout, a $200 nonrefundable service fee will be required to hold a place in the program.

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