For more than a decade, USAC has been sending students to Bangalore, India for a diverse, cultural, experience that leaves students changed for a lifetime.

“In my six weeks in India, I saw some of the most incredible and breathtaking tropical scenery. I ate types of food I didn’t even know existed. I learned how powerful love can be. I met some of the most inspiring people I have ever spoken to. When I arrived back to the states, I realized how self-aware and open-minded I felt about the world. I’m not saying you have to get on a plane and travel internationally to feel awakened like this, and that’s because you can start where you are now, but if you can — study abroad somewhere completely foreign to you and watch yourself grow tremendously as a person.”

Hannah Rucker

One of the biggest advantages to studying abroad with USAC India is the ability to learn inside and outside the classroom. India offers some of our most unique courses that will help you immerse in the local culture, learn about the rich history of the country, and have a study abroad experience that can only be offered in a non-traditional location such as Bangalore.

If you’ve thought about studying abroad in India (or even if you haven’t) these four classes are alumni favorites and will have you adding India to your program options list!

Caste, Class, & Gender in India

This course on Caste, Class, and Gender focuses on India and the structural aspects of inequality that operate. The course addresses the concept of caste and its operation in contemporary India. It looks at the class structure of a country which houses one of the largest middle classes in the world. The course also looks at gender and the operation of patriarchy as well as the areas of intersection of all three.

It gives the students the theoretical base which would enable them to critically examine and analyze these concepts and understand their significance in Indian society.

Population and Poverty

This course covers two concepts – poverty and population. Discussions on the ramifications of poverty and population in India will be a significant part of this course, focusing on the cultural, social and economic factors which play a role in the relationship between these two concepts.

Buddhism & Hinduism in Contemporary Society

This course involves a historical and thematic survey of the Buddhist tradition from the time of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, until the present. We explore some of the ways in which Buddhist teachings and practices have interacted with and been changed by various cultures in the world. This course does not aim to be comprehensive, but instead to introduce the student to some of the important and enduring themes of Buddhism.

Bollywood Dance

The film industry in India, and Mumbai – based on the Hindi language is what gives us the name Bollywood. Bollywood is the commercial name for modern Indian dancing and combines classical Indian dance, folk dance and even has Arabic and Latino influence. The dance style is very expressive and has a great deal of meaning in the music of films. You will learn to express what the music means in the films of Bollywood. This non-credit class will teach you the very basic, graceful moves. With regular and dedicated practice you would be able to dance in perfect harmony and style in tune with Indian music in the backdrop.

Explore Additional USAC India Courses