Service-Learning & Community-Based Research Assessment Forms
International Outreach & Networking Opportunities
ASU's International Community Development Initiative
Study-Serve: India & South Africa
Over the past two years, Appalachian State has developed partnerships with colleges and universities in southern India and South Africa. These partnerships allow for both student and faculty exchanges, as well as involvement in service-learning courses, service-based internships, and community-based research. Depending on your major, availability, class level, career goals, research interests, etc. we can find a placement to suit you.
You may have the opportunity to serve with non-governmental organizations (NGO's) that work with the following populations/issues: literacy/education, empowerment of women, HIV/AIDS education and prevention, health/nutrition, abuse/trafficking of women and children, sustainable development and environmental resource management, NGO start-up/support, human rights, micro-credit loans, children with intellectual disabilities, children who are orphaned, people with mental illness, people who are homeless and/or living in severe poverty, and much more. Please see the materials below for details...
Participating in this program will be an opportunity of a lifetime -- one that will help you grow personally and professionally, while helping you to develop intercultural skills through some tremendous experiences!
After reviewing the materials below, please contact Shari Galiardi, Director of Service-Learning, at galiardisl@appstate.edu or 262-8211 to make an appointment.
Download the ICDI Student Application (Word 2007).
Study-Serve Southern India
Madras Christian College (Chennai)
Bishop Heber College (Trichy/Tiruchirappalli)
The American College (Madurai)
View Slideshow: Study-Serve Southern India (PowerPoint 2007)
Download: Int'l SL & CBR Opportunities in Southern India (Word 2007)
Note: Students are highly encouraged to enroll in local language/culture classes while they are serving abroad.
Study-Serve South Africa
University of Zululand (Empangeni)
University of the Free State (Bloemfontein) -- Division of Service-Learning
Stellenbosch University (Stellenbosch) -- Divison of Community Interaction
View Slideshow: Study-Serve South Africa (PowerPoint 2007)
Download: Int'l SL/CBR Opportunities in South Africa (Word 2007)
Note: Students are highly encouraged to enroll in local language/culture classes while they are serving abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions...
Who is eligible?
All currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students at Appalachian are eligible. Some courses/internships are appropriate for specific majors/class levels only, so be sure to check the list of options carefully before making a selection. Also, be sure to talk with your Advisor to see if these opportunities will be counted as credits within your program of study. Each major/program has different requirements, so you will need to inquire about the specifics of YOUR program.
How much does it cost?
If you enroll in courses at a partner institution, you will be paying the same tuition/fees and housing/meal plan* that you pay here at App State while studying in India or South Africa. With this paid here, your tuition/fees and room/board costs will be covered in the host country. *Even if you are currently living off-campus, you are required to pay App State housing and meal plan costs to participate in this exchange. For 2008-09, housing is $1870 and a meal plan is $1325 per semester. If you are planning for the future, expect a 5-8% housing/food increase per year.
If you are doing an internship/independent study only, you will be paying App State tuition/fees for the course credits you earn, and your room and board costs will be different depending on location -- often home stays are available for a small fee or the partner institution may be able to accommodate you.
For either option, you are required to pay for all air/ground transportation, your meals outside of what is provided by your home stay family or the university/college meal plan, health/accident insurance of $1 per day, and ASU's Office of Int'l Education & Development administrative cost of $200.
Some scholarship/funding resources can be found here.
What time of year may I do an internship or study abroad?
Each program, organization, and region is a bit different, so be sure to check the list of opportunities (see above) carefully to make sure the timeframe fits with your program of study. Keep in mind that their summers/winters are at different times of year than ours.
How far in advance must I plan?
We suggest that you begin planning one year in advance in order for you to get all of the pre-travel necessities (passport, visa, vaccinations) taken care of, as well as providing us with enough lead time to set-up a quality experience, housing, etc. for you. Also, make sure you have a FAFSA form on file with ASU Financial Aid if you plan to use federal aid to support this experience. Application Deadlines: Fall/Summer Semesters - February 1st; Spring Semester - September 1st. Download the ICDI Student Application (Word 2007).
Are these countries/areas safe?
Although the world changes daily, we believe that the areas we have chosen, as well as the partner organizations, are reasonably safe. Staff and faculty members from App State have personally traveled to each of these areas within the past year. We highly recommend that you do not travel alone (especially at night) and that you always let someone know where you are going and when you will be back. In addition, we always recommend that you check the U.S. Department of State website for any travel warnings. If a travel warning is issued for a specific country, we do not allow Appalachian students or employees to travel there.
May I bring a child or partner with me?
This will depend on the location you choose. Some will be able to accommodate your child/partner, and others will not. You will be required to pay for all costs for this additional person, as well as $2.22 per day for dependent health/accident insurance.
The International Community Development Initiative is a program sponsored by Appalachian & the Community Together (ACT) and the Office of International Education & Development.
