India Summer: History, Government, Economics, and Culture
The four-week summer study abroad program in Mumbai provides students with a deep dive into Indian culture, history, politics, and society. Students earn 3 credits while living in one of the world’s most vibrant cities, enriched by immersive experiences, including excursions to cultural landmarks, business hubs, and local NGOs. This program is perfect for those looking to expand their worldview and engage with a diverse range of perspectives in a city known for its cosmopolitan roots, thriving business industry, and the world's largest film industry—Bollywood.
Course
ASIA 34801 / GLAF 34801: Understanding India in a Historical & Global Context (3 credits)
Taught by Professor Susan Ostermann, this course fulfills the University Social Science Core Curriculum Requirement and offers Cross-Cultural Credit in the Keough School of Global Affairs. Through readings, reflections, and immersive experiences, students explore India’s history, culture, and its global significance. The course includes collaborations with St. Xavier's University in Mumbai, providing additional perspectives on Indian literature, cinema, philosophy, and society.
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Global Professional Experience
Notre Dame Global offers undergraduate students an international experiential learning opportunity to experience firsthand within an immersive environment how businesses and organizations operate in selected locations throughout the world. The Global Professional Experience Program places students with selected global and local companies and organizations in Asia (China, India, and Japan), Europe (Greece and the United Kingdom), and Latin America (Brazil and Chile).
This seven-week program includes three main components:
- A one-credit course offers an exploration of historic, social, and economic dimensions related to each of the program’s regions, in addition to providing a forum to reflect upon new international perspectives, inter-cultural knowledge, collaborative skills, integrative competencies, and career discernment.
- A one-week on-site orientation provided by Notre Dame's global network and selected service providers. The on-site orientation helps students better understand the local cultures and includes cultural excursions and basic language training.
- A six-week placement within a business or organization that will provide students with professional experiences related to their academic and professional interests. Host businesses and organizations include media, startups, technology, healthcare, finance, NGOs, and think tanks, among other sectors.
Global Research Experience
Notre Dame’s Global Research Experience (GRE) connects undergraduates with faculty-led, cutting-edge research projects around the world. Designed for students in good academic standing, typically juniors or seniors, the program offers immersive, credit-bearing research opportunities across disciplines, allowing participants to gain hands-on experience, develop cross-cultural understanding, and contribute to impactful scholarship in an international setting.
Pune, India Site
At the Pune, India location, students join the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER Pune), a premier public research institute known for its world-class laboratories and vibrant academic community. Participants collaborate with Dr. Pranay Goel on projects in mathematical biology, data science, predictive modeling for healthcare, physiology and type 2 diabetes, and precision medicine. Housing is provided in IISER’s student residences, placing students in the heart of a lively university city renowned for its youthful energy, rich arts scene, and welcoming culture. With its mix of historic forts, green hill stations, and bustling markets, Pune offers the ideal backdrop for both academic growth and cultural exploration.
NDBridge Program
NDBridge is a one-credit course and an 8-week summer experience designed for first-year students passionate about addressing injustice and contributing to the common good. Through immersive work with marginalized communities, participants gain firsthand insights into systemic inequality and their role in promoting justice.
Students begin with a spring semester course focusing on the challenges faced by these communities, paired with orientation sessions. The program covers all travel, housing, and meals, and participants receive a $2,500 stipend.
Institute for Social Concerns Summer Fellowship
The Social Concerns Summer Fellowship offers sophomores and juniors an immersive, 8-week experience connecting academic research with organizations serving marginalized communities in various locations throughout India. Fellows are placed with partners in fields like healthcare, education, sustainability, and social entrepreneurship, working full-time while exploring their vocational interests.
The program includes five spring workshops, faculty-guided research, and, for international placements, additional orientation. Fellows receive a $2,500 stipend and support for housing, meals, and travel.