Only India tour led by Dr. Somjit Barat (School of Business and Project and Supply Chain Management) and Melba I. Amador (Assistant Teaching Professor, Spanish). Dr. Barat is a native of India and Penn State veteran, who has led multiple successful study abroad trips to India in the past. Dr. Barat can be reached at sub26@psu.edu | Melba can be reached at melba@psu.edu
Program Overview
India’s rich blend of ancient wisdom and modern innovation creates a unique landscape for exploring social transformation and cultural heritage. This program examines three iconic cities – Delhi, Agra, and Kolkata – each revealing different approaches to addressing social challenges through community-driven initiatives.
Delhi, the vibrant capital, combines Mughal grandeur with contemporary social innovation as a hub for national NGOs and policy advocacy. Agra showcases the intersection of cultural preservation and community development through heritage-based tourism initiatives beyond its famous Taj Mahal. Kolkata, with its intellectual legacy, continues pioneering social reform movements through grassroots organizations focused on child protection and community empowerment.
This immersive journey provides students exposure to India’s diverse social sector landscape through meaningful interactions with social entrepreneurs, grassroots leaders, and community workers. Students will discover how Indian society balances tradition with transformation, creating sustainable solutions for social change while preserving cultural identity.
Key Program Elements
Social Innovation & Grassroots Engagement
- Visit Goonj Foundation and Salaam Balak Trust to learn about innovative disaster relief, rural development, and comprehensive street children rehabilitation programs
- Experience Wildlife SOS elephant rescue centre to understand conservation initiatives
- Dine at Sheroes Hangout Cafe, a transformative social enterprise run by acid attack survivors
- Visit the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa, to explore the essence of grassroots humanitarian work
- Understand how grassroots organizations create sustainable solutions while preserving cultural identity
UNESCO World Heritage & Cultural Immersion
- Explore the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Qutub Minar, and Humayun’s Tomb to understand architectural legacy
- Experience the world’s largest community kitchen at Bangla Sahib Gurudwara serving 10,000+ daily meals
- Visit Dakshineshwar Temple, Victoria Memorial and St. Paul’s Cathedral to connect arts, culture and social transformation
- Learn how historical narratives influence contemporary social movements
- Understand the intersection of cultural preservation and community development
Multi-City Perspective on Transformation
- Delhi: Explore the national capital as a hub for NGOs, policy advocacy, and urban social innovation
- Agra: Discover heritage-based tourism initiatives and conservation efforts beyond the famous monuments
- Kolkata: Experience the intellectual legacy and pioneering social reform movements in child protection
- Understand how different regions balance ancient wisdom with modern approaches to social challenges
- Gain comprehensive exposure to India’s diverse social sector landscape
Program Snapshot
Location | Cost | Early Action Deadline |
|---|---|---|
India | USD $2990 (Twin-sharing) | Apply by 10 Nov for $100 off! |
Apply & Confirm your seat with just a USD $100 deposit.
*Single occupancy will be extra
Eligibility | Students of all majors and academic standing |
|---|
Program Date | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
8th – 15th March 2026 | December 6, 2025 |
Program Highlights
Taj Mahal
Agra Fort
Wildlife SOS
Qutub Minar
Humayun's Tomb
India Gate
Victoria Memorial
Dakshineswar Temple
St. Paul's Cathedral
Goonj Foundation
Salaam Balak Trust
Sheroes Cafe
UN Sustainable Development Goals in Action for this Program
- Students engage with organizations like Salam Balak Trust, Don Bosco Ashalayam, and Goonj Foundation to understand comprehensive poverty alleviation strategies, from direct service delivery to innovative resource redistribution models.
- The program examines how grassroots organizations address root causes of urban poverty through rehabilitation, skill development, and dignified livelihood creation.
- Through visits to Missionaries of Charity, CINI, and Wildlife SOS, students explore holistic health and well-being approaches for vulnerable populations including children, elderly, disabled individuals, and rescued animals.
- The program showcases how organizations provide both physical and emotional care while promoting community health initiatives.
- The program explores how organizations like Goonj Foundation address urban sustainability challenges through waste reduction and resource circulation.
- Students examine community-driven approaches to urban development, including religious institutions like Bangla Sahib Gurudwara that serve as models for community solidarity and social service delivery in urban settings.
- Through Wildlife SOS, students gain insights into conservation efforts and wildlife protection initiatives, particularly rescue and rehabilitation programs for elephants and bears.
- The program demonstrates how animal welfare organizations contribute to biodiversity conservation and sustainable coexistence between human communities and wildlife.
Program Itinerary
Day 1
Delhi
- Arrival in Delhi, group transfer to hotel & check-in
- Morning: Safety briefing and Program orientation by Authentica, followed by neighborhood walk
- Afternoon: Group lunch, followed by guided tour of Bangla Sahib Gurudwara and Ugrasen ki Baoli
- Evening: Welcome dinner
Day 2
Delhi
- Full Day: Guided Delhi cultural immersions. Visit India Gate, Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb
- Evening: Free time
Day 3
Delhi
- Morning: Guided exploration of Paharganj area followed by visit to Salaam Balak Trust
- Afternoon: Lunch on own, followed by visiting Goonj Foundation
- Evening: Return to hotel, free time
Day 4
Delhi - Agra
- Early Morning: Post breakfast check-out and transfer to Agra
- Morning: En-route visit Wildlife SOS, followed by lunch
- Afternoon: Guided tour of Agra Fort
- Evening: Check-in into hotel followed by dinner at Sheroes Café
Day 5
Agra – Delhi – Kolkata
- Early Morning: Post breakfast check-out from hotel and head for guided tour of Taj Mahal
- Morning: Post tour transfer to Delhi airport
- Afternoon: Flight to Kolkata
- Evening: On arrival, transfer to accommodation in Kolkata
Day 6
Kolkata
- Full day: Organization visits in Kolkata
- Evening: Free time
Day 7
Kolkata
- Full day: Guided cultural immersions in Kolkata. Visit Victoria Memorial, Dakshineshwar Temple, St. Paul's Cathedral and drive by through the Howrah Bridge
- Evening: Farewell Dinner
Day 8
Departure
- Early Morning: Group transfer to the airport
Pricing
- Program Cost
US $2990
1st payment 1100 by 5th December 2025
2nd payment 1890 (or 1840) by 6th feb 2026
What’s Included:
Pre-departure sessions
Relevant lectures and workshops
Meetings and site visits with host organisations
Community engagement activities and cultural immersions
Housing on twin-share basis
All breakfasts, 3 lunches, welcome and farewell dinners
International airfare and airfare for DEL to CCU
24X7 Support
What’s Excluded:
- Visa fees
- Insurance
- Personal expenses
FAQs About the Program
Once you’ve filled out your details in the “Apply Now” form, you will receive an application submission acknowledgement email. The email will provide link to the payment. Upon your payment of the program deposit, your admission process will be finalized, and you will be officially enrolled in the program.
This program enhances your career prospects by providing exposure to diverse business landscapes, social initiatives, and cultural experiences. Through interactions with industry leaders, social entrepreneurs, and experts, you’ll gain valuable insights into innovative business practices, social impact, and sustainability. This hands-on experience and global perspective will make you a more versatile and competitive professional in the job market.
You will have the opportunity to meet and interact with industry leaders, social entrepreneurs, and experts in various fields in India. Additionally, there will be sessions with guest speakers during program activities, offering valuable networking opportunities and insights into India’s dynamic business and social landscape.
We prioritise the dietary needs and allergies of our participants when planning our program. To ensure everyone’s comfort and safety, we ask participants to inform us of any dietary requirements beforehand, allowing us to make necessary arrangements in advance.
The safety of our participants is our top priority. We provide comprehensive safety briefings, 24/7 emergency support, and ensure accommodations and activities adhere to high safety standards. The program group will be accompanied by the Authentica team member(s), who will be available 24×7 during the program. They have also been certified by the Red Cross in first-aid emergency training. In case of an emergency, measures will be taken in real-time.