Study abroad in India
"Namaste" Immerse yourself in the diversity of India and be enchanted by its beauty: tropical sandy beaches, fascinating palaces, hectic metropolises and fragrant markets. India offers an unbelievable amount of sights that you should not miss in any case. During your stay in India you will surely learn a lot about the traditions and customs of this country, because India is one of the oldest cultures in the world.
Study abroad programs in India
Volunteer in India
- Voluntary service in social projects
- 16 – 50 years
- Intermediate English skills are an advantage
- 4 weeks to 3 months stay possible
- Program start anytime
Weltwarts in India
- Living and working in a children's community and school
- 18 – 28 years
- Intermediate English skills required
- 12 months length of stay
- Program starts annually in summer/fall
About the country
India is nine times bigger than Germany and today has over one billion inhabitants. The country is located at the Indian Ocean, which is named after it, the coast is over 7000 km long and in the north the Himalaya mountains rise into the country. The most famous monument of India is probably the Taj Mahal, the "Crown Palace", which was built in 1631 in Atra.
In India there are three seasons: Winter, summer and monsoon season. In South and Central India it is already hot from April, while in North India, in the mountainous regions, it is still cold and snowy. In the period from February to June the temperatures in the south of India rise up to 45°C.
In the south in the tropical rainforest there is a warm and humid climate and in the north there is mostly fertile land, which is usually used for agriculture. While coconut palms and bamboo grow on the east coast, one of the largest mangrove areas in the world is located in the jungle area at the mouth of the Ganges.
Some of the endangered species are the Indian tank rhino, the snow leopard and the Bengal tiger. To protect the animals, several reserves have been established, which people are only allowed to enter with permission.
Language
The official languages of India are Hindi and English. Hindi is spoken by ca. English is spoken by one third of the population and is the most important language in politics and business.
In addition to the two official languages, there are over 20 other regional languages u. a. Kannada, Nepali, Tamil and Malayalam. However, because there are so many regional languages and over 1000 other dialects, English serves as the language of communication. Because many languages are similar and related to each other, they are easier for Indians to learn and can be easily adopted in some cases. Therefore, it is not uncommon for many Indians to speak several languages.
Culture
India's culture includes a multitude of regionally different dance forms, each of which represents a particular ethnic group. A dance form is for example the temple dance like Odissi and Bharatnatyam. The dances are mostly a variation of pure dance, different foot techniques and rhythms, the Natya dance for example is a combination of dance and acting.
The food in India is prepared spicy, hot and exotic. A very famous dish is dhal, a lentil soup with various vegetables. Tea is the favorite drink of Indians, traditionally served with milk and sugar.
In India there are different table manners, which should be followed. Eating is mostly done with the fingers, but also only with the fingers of the right hand, because the left hand is considered unclean. In addition, one should not blow one's nose at the table, this is considered particularly impolite, the nose should be dabbed quietly with a cloth.