Carpe Diem Education | India Semester: Spirituality & Service
- India
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Program Details
Pricing
Earn up to $5000 per year in scholarship funding from Carpe Diem Education. Through our partnership with Portland State University, students are eligible for FAFSA Federal Financial Aid, and eligible to complete up to 18 quarter credits during their semester.
About Program
Discover the incredible depth and diversity of India. Witness how spirituality is infused in the daily lives of the people, whether visiting a Hindu temple or hearing the call to prayer; chatting with a Buddhist monk or volunteering in the kitchens at the holiest of Sikh pilgrimage sites, the Golden Temple. Spend a week in a yoga retreat along the banks of the Ganga River, learning the fundamentals of yogic philosophy and practice.
Embrace the opportunity to serve at Mother Teresa's Home for the Destitute and Dying; support efforts in offsetting climate change by working with Sadhana forest or Dharmalaya Institute for Compassionate Living; experience authentic India culture through homestays in different regions of this vast country. Be challenged and inspired with a 4-day trek in the Himalaya.
Here you will gain valuable insight into different systems of spirituality, learn about methods of addressing climate change, enhance self-awareness, and develop a deeper sense of purpose.
Video and Photos
Program Highlights
- Learn about different systems of Spirituality & Religion
- Volunteer and serve with Mother Teresa house
- Enjoy a meditation and Yoga retreat on the banks of the Ganga River
- Experience authentic Indian life through immersive homestays
- Trek in the Himalaya
Response from Carpe Diem Education
We are sorry to hear that this was your experience with Carpe Diem. We are committed to providing our students with meaningful experiences designed to challenge perspectives, foster personal growth and cultivate a sense of global citizenship. We welcome feedback in order to learn from challenging situations in order to continually improve our organization and practices for future students.
Throughout the enrollment process we provide students with information about what to expect while traveling with Carpe Diem, a tentative itinerary (subject to change) and guidance on how to best prepare and pack for a semester with us. Our cell phone and wifi device policy is communicated to students on our application, during the interview process, in pre-semester materials and through a phone call with our Overseas Educators in the days leading up to departure. This policy is designed to empower students to be present while traveling and to foster a stronger sense of community within the program.
The theme of the India program was Spirituality & Climate Change so the Spring 2020 group was involved in hands-on projects directly related to sustainability. During a portion of the program, students participated in physical tasks designed to bring the community together in a common goal and to foster a sense of teamwork and group/community cohesion through shared effort and experience. Students typically participate in hands-on work for 4.5-6 hours per day, with ample time for breaks to ensure access to rest, food, proper hydration, application of sunscreen, etc.
The Spring 2020 semester was cut short due to Coronavirus and while our paperwork states that program tuition is non-refundable, we chose to provide a partial refund to all families. The refund amount was calculated based on pre-paid program expenses such as payments to host organizations, salaries for our field staff, and other pre-paid operating costs.
We are committed to the health and safety of our students and to provide the best international experience possible. We are open to scheduling a time to discuss your experience with Carpe Diem further. If you would like to schedule a conversation, please contact Anne Koenning, Executive Director of Enrollment & Operations.