International Experience Program: India

Faculty of Education

India - Teach in Naipunnya International Talent Track and School Program, Kerala 2014 Program

This is a new program under development. The program's aim is to give students a valuable insight into teaching in a different cultural context, and to contribute to the schools/projects to which participants are assigned. Small groups will be placed in a range of school and community settings where they will teach across diverse subject areas. Participants will have the opportunity to observe classes and discuss with the classroom teacher possible lessons they could deliver.

Program Dates: 4 January - 19 January 2014

Number of places: 12 students
NB. This program will require 10 students to proceed.

Program Cost: Approx: $2000* (exact costs TBC)

*The $500 Vice Chancellor Travel Grant (for eligible undergraduate students) is not awarded directly to individuals but has already been included in program costings.

Costs should include: program fee, international airfares, transport on arrival, insurance, accommodation, and visas (for students travelling on Australian passports).

Costs do not include CSU subject fees, daily local transport, sightseeing costs and meals

Please note all CSU Global Programs are group ticketed.  Your program will depart from Sydney International Airport and return to Sydney International Airport on the dates listed. 

Eligibility: This program is open to all 2nd and 3rd year undergraduate and postgraduate Faculty of Education students. Students must be over 18 years of age.

Credit: Credit Provisions (on application)

  • Bachelor of Education (Primary) students may be eligible for an 8 credit point elective substitute where such exists. The substituted subject to include full participation in program, including orientation and an assignment based on program participation. Students can apply for this 8 credit point elective substitution to their Course Coordinator using the subject XYZ01C Unspecified Elective following normal credit application procedures.
  • Bachelor of Education (HPE) students could receive 2 weeks credit for the diverse placement (EPT441)
  • Bachelor of Education (K-12) students can receive 1 week credit for the EPT321 diverse placement

*All students participating in the program will be eligible to enrol in the 0 credit point subject International Cultural and Educational Program in recognition of full participation. There is no cost to students. This ensures student participation is captured on their transcript.

Application Time-line:

  • Applications close: 16 August, 2013
  • Successful students notified (email): within 2 weeks of closing date  
  • Non-refundable $800 deposit due: 13 September, 2013
  • Final payment due: 7 October, 2013
    (Students will need to submit a passport, valid for at least 6 months from the time of departure by 7 October)
  • Passports required for visa processing: September
  • Predeparture session 1: October 2013 (exact dates to be advised)
  • Predeparture session 2: October 2013 (exact dates to be advised)

Click here to download an application form [pdf]

Completed application forms must be submitted by the due date to:

Louise Haberecht
CSU Global Coordinator
Office of International Relations
Charles Sturt University
Phone: + 61 2 6338 4621
Email: lhaberecht@csu.edu.au

Further enquiries regarding program details should be directed to:

Margaret Hamilton
Business Development Officer
Faculty of Education
Charles Sturt University
Phone: + 61 2 6338 414
Email: mhamilton@csu.edu.au

Indicative program outline

Students will travel together to India with a CSU staff member. Accommodation will be in shared rooms in a local guesthouse.

The first days of the program involve a detailed orientation on cultural, academic and experiential aspects of the program.  You will be oriented to the locations so that you know how to shop (and sometimes bargain!), where to shop for culturally appropriate clothes, where to find internet cafes, banks, how to use local transport, how to eat to stay well and how to make phone calls. There will also be an overview of education in India and details on your placement site and what to expect.

You'll be accompanied to your school on the first day and introduced to your placement site and staff. What you teach will depend on your skills and preferences as well as the school's needs.  While the placement organisations will try to obtain from each school a clear idea of what your duties will entail, this will still need to be confirmed with the school principal on your first day. You will bring to the school a set of skills and experiences and you will need to liaise with the principal on how to best utilise them.

After school hours you will have the opportunity to explore other sides of life in India, visiting the markets , nearby towns, having your hands 'mandied, take a yoga lesson or perhaps watch a Bollywood movie.  You'll be expected to support each other to prepare for the teaching days ahead and you'll be required to attend reflective sessions where you'll discus your school placement and life in India.

Click here to download a flyer [pdf]