Living Routes Sustainability and Ecovillage Studies

  India

Auroville

Term: Fall, Spring 
Dates: January 23 - May 2 and September 13 - December 19

Description: Study abroad in Auroville, an international community along the tropical coast of southern India dedicated to promoting human unity. Participate in an academic program that fosters collaborative inquiry, critical thinking, and dialogue while exploring daily awareness practices such as yoga and meditation.

Through engagement with a holistic approach to world issues that encompasses inner, cultural, and outer processes, you broaden and deepen your understanding of sustainability and ecology. Hands-on experience with habitat restoration, local organic food production, teaching in village schools, working with village action groups and more helps build a growing theoretical understanding of issues relating to global sustainability.
Empower yourself and learn to empower others through a process whereby what you learn is integrated with how you live.

Program Value: Living Routes offers semester, summer and J-Term programs in Ecovillages around the world. Ecovillages are communities striving to create cooperative and sustainable lifestyles in harmony with local environments. Sustainability is arguably the most important knowledge of our time. It is not enough just to read about it, we must live it. Study Abroad in Ecovillages!

Highlights:
* Earn 16 transferable credits through the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

* Visit cultural and ecological sites including Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

* Engage in a 40-hour wilderness solo process of self-inquiry and reflection.

* Travel to Karnataka and spend 3 weeks at the Ecodaya Sanctuary, an island in the Tungabhadra River - jungle ruins of ancient Hindu empires and some of the rarest ecology and geology on the planet.

* Overnight at Sri Ramanamaharshi's ashram and climb Arunchala Mountain, locally believed to be the body of the Hindu god Shiva.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: 13,400

Experience Required: yes

Interest and motivation to learn!

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to India in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 10-15

Scholarships are Available. Living Routes is committed to creating affordable, broadly accessible programs. We offer need-based scholarships and financial aid packages from a student's home institution will apply.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad