Quick Facts

• Program dates: June 15 - August 6, 2020

• Students who participate in this internship (and receive credit through the School of Human Evolution and Social Change) can count this for the global health study abroad requirement.

• Coursework fulfills the General Studies and/or Science and Society requirements, and prerequisites are usually waived.

• Graduate students also can be accommodated with graduate course credit.

  
  The International Alliance for the Prevention of AIDS (IAPA) and the ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change are pleased to continue their partnership to provide a unique Global Health Volunteer Internship in Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu in India to ASU students. 
   

Location Details

Students chosen to participate in this internship will spend a total of 8 weeks in Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. Students will work with IAPA to develop and deliver AIDS education in a variety of teaching sites including government and private secondary schools as well as universities.

Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the Coromandel Coast off of the Bay of Bengal and has the 2nd longest seashore in the world. The city is a major commercial, cultural, and educational center in South India, while the port of Chennai is the second largest port in India. As of the 2011 census, the city had 6.22 million residents making it the 6th most populous city in India. Chennai is also India's second largest exporter of information technology and business process outsourcing services. 

Visa Information

It is each student’s responsibility to independently determine if a visa is necessary for travel to any foreign countries visited on this program. Limited information may be provided by the ASU Study Abroad Office, your faculty director, and/or partner organizations/institutions. Where visas are required, failure to obtain a visa may result in your inability to participate and, ultimately, your withdrawal from the program, subject to the terms of the Study Abroad Payment and Withdrawal Policies. 

Consult this page for additional information regarding visas. If you need assistance securing a U.S. Passport, visit the ASU U.S. Passport Acceptance Office in Tempe.

PLEASE NOTE: Visa requirements for non U.S. citizens may differ from those for U.S. citizens; students who are not U.S. citizens are advised to contact their International Coordinator and begin independently researching the visa requirements for their nationality as soon as possible.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must be at least 18 years of age, have a minimum GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) and be in good standing with their home institution. Non-ASU students must provide a recent transcript with their applications. If you are a non-ASU student, please also view the instructions for application under the "Application" tab.  Students with a GPA below 2.5 or in poor standing for any other reason are required to submit two letters of recommendation (preferably from current professors) with their application, in support of their suitability as applicants.

Courses

ASB443/SSH 403 Cross-Cultural Studies in Global Health 
(6 credits)
General Studies: SB/L & G and/or Science and Society.

Courses fulfill the General Studies and/or Science and Society requirements, and prerequisites are usually waived. Graduate students also can be accommodated with graduate course credit.

More Information About the Program

One of the goals of IAPA is to provide a rewarding and life-changing experience for both the interns who come from the United States, as well as those who are from India. This is accomplished in several ways, including:

Basic Tamil instruction to facilitate basic communication with those in Chennai, allowing for volunteers to completely immerse themselves in South Indian culture.

An on-site orientation for the volunteers from both the United States and India to prepare them for working together.

Free time in the evenings and weekends to go out and experience the local culture while exploring Chennai, including its surrounding towns, beaches and cultural sites.

Select long weekends off from teaching to travel near and far and visit beautiful places all across India.

In addition to curbing the spread of HIV, a major focus of IAPA is to show the interns the beauty of India and to encourage them to invest their hearts in Indian culture while continuing to fight against HIV. IAPA believes that by doing this the volunteers are motivated to an even greater degree to have a lasting impact in Chennai.


 

Application Process

The deadline to apply is December 6, 2019


Step 1
Students must open an ASU Study Abroad application and complete the IAPA Application.

Questions about the IAPA application should be directed to dlr33consulting@gmail.com.

Step 2
Students will be notified of an interview date.  If selected by IAPA, and wishing to earn ASU credit for this experience, students will be contacted by the ASU Study Abroad Office to complete their ASU application.

Step 3
Once accepted into the program in the ASU Study Abroad Office's online application system, students will be able to register for 6 credits of SSH 403: Cross-Cultural Studies in Global Health (General Studies: SB/L & G and/or Science and Society).  Please note: Receiving credit for this experience is optional.  However, Global Health students who wish to receive academic credits toward their study abroad requirement must sign up for 6 credits of coursework.

If you have questions about the application process, please contact Abby Dalpra.

Program Housing

Housing for the duration of the program and 2 meals a day are included through the IAPA program fee as well as weekly group dinners.  Interns will also receive a stipend for their local transportation costs. Students share private rooms with shared bathrooms and air conditioning in a centrally located hostel. The housing accommodations are modest, but quite comfortable. There is also a group dining room, safe drinking water and a shared kitchen area for students who wish to cook meals. 
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Below you will find information that may help you in planning for your study abroad experience. Early discussions and planning can help to support you in having a positive experience abroad. We invite you to meet with the International Coordinator for this program to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

Physical Considerations

Study abroad participants may find themselves walking or taking public transit abroad more frequently than they are accustomed at their home campus.

Disability Accommodations Abroad

Individuals with disabilities can and do study abroad, but may find accessibility and accommodation in one of more of this program’s locations very different from the United States. For example, in India, public transportation and most public and private buildings lack accessible facilities for students with mobility disabilities. Sidewalks and ramps are often in disrepair.

In general, the Study Abroad Office cannot guarantee access to public transportation, buildings, or public sites on this program. Any student who anticipates needing any kind of special accommodation due to a disability should contact the ASU Study Abroad Office early in the planning process to investigate the availability of accommodations (including accessible facilities) on this specific program. Contact the Disability Resource Center and your Disability Access Consultant to include them in the discussion; be sure to give your Disability Access Consultant permission to speak with the Study Abroad Office on your behalf. You can find additional information and resources on our Students with Disabilities page.

LGBTQIA Students Abroad

Students of diverse sexual orientations or gender identities will find that the social climate, laws, and norms of other cultures will often differ from the U.S. If you identify as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or queer student - or if you are still exploring your identity - you may face unique challenges when traveling abroad. For example, in India, same-sex sexual activity is criminalized, and societal discrimination based on sexual orientation is common.

We encourage students who identify as members of the LGBTQIA community to visit the U.S. Department of State website for helpful information about laws and attitudes in this program’s locations, including pre-travel tips and advice on staying safe while abroad. You can find additional information and resources on our LGBTQIA Students page.

Gender Identity Abroad

When traveling abroad, you may find different gender roles and norms than you’re used to. It’s possible that you may be treated differently or be expected to treat others differently based on your (or their) gender identity. For example, in India, attitudes towards women are conservative in regards to behavioral expectations, including dress. Most women dress conservatively in India, even in urban areas. Female students are advised to bring light, loose, layered clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Violence towards women is known to occur, and students may find a lack of meaningful response to incidents from local police; community support and understanding may also be different from the U.S. Students are encouraged to travel in groups and in mixed company whenever possible.

You can find additional information and resources on our Gender Identity Abroad page.

Racial and Ethnic Minorities Abroad

Students of different ethnic and racial backgrounds may encounter unique challenges transitioning from life here in the United States to life as a student living abroad, including but not limited to access to personal care products and services. For example, in India, students should be aware that visible tourists may be more aggressively approached by merchants, taxi drivers, etc, and may encounter quoted price inflations for goods and services. Additionally, due to the territorial conflict between India and China, prejudices towards Asian-Americans may be experienced, depending on the region of the country.

You can prepare yourself for the situations you may experience by researching the ethnic composition of your host country and exploring its history of racial and ethnic relations. We encourage students to start that research on our Racial and Ethnic Minority Students page.

Cost Information

The ASU Program Fee for Summer 2020 is $4,808.

ASU Program Fee listed above includes: ASU tuition, Application Fee, IAPA program fee which includes 2 meals a day, a weekly stipend to cover local transportation costs, weekly group dinners, funding for extra volunteer projects, and internship training which includes an on-site orientation and basic Tamil language instruction, and health/travel insurance for the duration of the program.
Not included: international airfare to/from Phoenix and Chennai, India (approximately $2,000.00); other meals not covered by IAPA fee; passport & visa fees; books; and personal expenses (~$250.00 for laundry, internet, souvenirs, and extra spending money).

Program participants are also responsible for paying a non-refundable $50 Application Fee, in addition to the Program Fee listed above. All other costs associated with participation in the program are the responsibility of the individual student. Be sure to reference the program Cost Sheet for information on program fees and any additional estimated expenses.

The program may allow for time which can be spent in non-program activities. Participants may wish to travel, sight-see or participate in activities or events in which they have a personal interest. Please note that the participant is fully responsible for making arrangements and for all costs of transportation, lodging, food and additional expenses that may be associated with any non-Program activities.

Funding Your Study Abroad Program

Studying abroad is an investment in your future, which requires careful planning and management. However, the personal, academic, and professional rewards that you will gain from this experience will last a lifetime. You should carefully consider costs, budgets and financing when selecting and preparing for your experience abroad. If you have questions at any step of the process, we encourage you to reach out to your International Coordinator for guidance.

Steps to Financing Your Study Abroad Program

1. View the program Cost Sheet to find a breakdown of program expenses.
2. Attend a Financing Your Study Abroad Workshop.
3. Consider your Financial Aid options.
4. Search and Apply for Scholarships and Grants.
5. Exhaust your options by exploring Additional Funding Resources including our Community-Based Funding Guide.
6. View our  Financing Your Study Abroad Program Handbook for more information, including Payment Information.

Unique Funding Opportunities for This Program

• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
• College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Study Abroad Scholarships

Links to Additional Resources

• ASU Study Abroad on Facebook
• U.S. Department of State
• ASU U.S. Passport Acceptance Office
• International Alliance for the Prevention of AIDS*
• Official government website for the Chennai District*
• Official website for the Corporation of Chennai*
• Chennai Wikitravel website*
• STA Travel Airfare Deposit Program*

*The ASU Study Abroad Office does not officially endorse, administer or monitor the content of these links.