Program Description | Host Family & Community | Host School | Travel | Orientations & Activities | Eligibility
Program Description
India is the world’s largest democracy, with a growing global influence. Dozens of religions, languages, and ethnic groups have shaped this incredibly diverse culture. India is an ancient land, yet its modern food, music, and movies are popular all over the world. Although India has a reputation for crowded cities, most inhabitants live in rural areas. No matter the location, Indians are warm, engaging, and family-oriented.
AFSers in India explore Indian culture while living with a host family and attending the 11th grade. Education is highly valued, so you may find that high school is quite demanding. Classes are usually taught in English although the local language is also used. Depending on which state you are placed in within in India, your school year may start in March (Delhi) or in June (South India). The AFSer coming to India should be prepared to live under different conditions to what they are possibly used to in the United States. Some host family will not have the modern facilities and comforts to which you might be accustomed, such as electric dishwashers, cloth-washing machines, microwave ovens, etc. And although many houses do not have central heating or air conditioning, there will always be an abundant supply of love, hospitality and warmth.
Language
India is considered to be the home to 398 languages but there is not a single Indian language which is spoken across its length and breadth. Hindi is spoken by the majority of North Indians but it is not a popular means of communication in southern India. Similarly, South Indian languages - Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam - are not understood by the people of northern India. For the convenience of the people, the Constitution of India has declared Hindi and English as the official languages and gave recognition to 20 other national languages.
Host Family & Community
Loyalty and unity are very important to Indian families and you will find most homes are filled with several generations living together. Families are the focal point of Indian existence and it is not uncommon to have schooling, college, and even marriage decided by parents. In traditional homes, sons are generally not asked to do house chores while girls are expected to help with housework and cooking; however, in more urban families, girls and boys are treated equally and have the same privileges and responsibilities.
The concept of privacy in India is very different from that in the west. Indians are community people and love living in groups. It is very uncommon in Indian homes for children to sit in their rooms with their doors closed. It would be regarded as unfriendly and worrisome if you secluded yourself in a room while other members of the family are around.
Host families in India, like all AFS host families worldwide, are volunteers and are not paid. They open their homes to students in order to share their community and culture as well as to enrich their own family lives.
The Indians
India is still a rather hierarchical society based on respect and small towns in the north and central parts may still follow the caste system. Young people are raised to have great respect for their elders and often show respect by touching the feet of the elders so as to seek their blessings. Teachers and leaders continue to occupy a very high and dignified place in society.
Within families or with friends, Indians share everything, including the food on their plates. The concept of yours and mine is not so pronounced as in the West. Also, Indians do not say please and thank very often. Within families, it is almost insulting to say thank you often, as Indians consider this understood within families. Even outside families, please and thank you are not used frequently. It is generally considered impolite or rude to say ‘no’ directly or to decline an invitation (even if you know you cannot accept). When coming from more straightforward cultures, this can lead to confusion for an exchange student.
Teens
Indian families are very conservative and protective about their children, especially their daughters. Strict curfews and expectation are enforced for children and hosted children are expected to follow the same rules. Dating is very unusual and discussing sexual matters is taboo. Physical contact or hugging is uncommon, except within the family.
Because of its large population, acceptance into schools is very competitive. Usually, school is half to two-thirds of a day and in the evening students go to tutorials. Time out of school is usually engaged in studying and spending time with the family.
Meals
Indians love to eat anywhere, anytime and meals are a family affair or a time for socializing. The cuisine varies widely by region, but Indian food tends to be spicy, pungent, oily, and full of flavor. The main staple of the meal is a portion of vegetables, pulses or a meat dish. This is supplemented by a variety of freshly made hot breads or rice. Dessert or sweet dishes are not served daily. Indians traditionally eat with their right hand, as the left is considered unclean and is kept under the table. Many Indians are vegetarian and they do not consider this a dietary restriction.
Here a few examples of some traditional Indian meals that you will most likely try and hopefully enjoy:
- Channa masala - a mild vegetable dish made from chickpeas and spices
- Masala chai - black tea brewed with aromatic spices and herbs and served with milk and plenty of sugar. Chai is eaten with every meal and is a social activity for Indians
- Biriyani - a mixture of rice, vegetables, meat and spices, and is served with yogurt. A specialty in Southern India
Host School
AFS students are enrolled in “public” Indian schools (the equivalent of private schools in the United States), where their classes are usually taught in English. Sometimes the local language (which varies depending on the region of India) is also used.
Students in India must choose between a number of “Streams” (engineering, medical, commerce, or arts). AFSers may choose one of these streams with their host school based upon interest, academic background, and space available at the school.
In the engineering stream, students take physics, chemistry, mathematics, and two electives. In the medical stream, students take physics, chemistry, biology, and two electives. Students in the commerce stream take accounting, business, economics, English or Hindi, and one elective. Students in the arts stream take history, geography, political science, one language subject, and one elective.
Schools offer a number of different kinds of extracurricular activities. Students may be able to take part in weekly activities such as drawing, games, or group discussions, or participate in intra-school sports competitions like cricket or basketball. Schools also hold a variety of holiday events and cultural programs.
Check out the Host School FAQ (.pdf).
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Travel
You will receive a Travel Notification email about 6 weeks prior to international departure with your international flight itinerary and detailed instructions for when to arrive at the Gateway Orientation site in New York City or Washington D.C.. At that point, you may arrange your domestic travel. In New York City or Washington D.C., you will join other AFS-USA participants for an overnight Gateway Orientation before you travel together to the arrival port of the participant - there are arrival and departure ports in Ahemdabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Pune.
International airfare is included as part of the tuition, but it is your responsibility to get from your home town to the Gateway Orientation site.
Your Arrival
You will travel from one of the gateway cities in the United States (either New York City or Washington D.C.) to your Arrival Port. After arrival, you must collect your baggage and pass through customs. You will be met by AFS staff and volunteers and will be taken to the Orientation site. You will then travel to your host community, which may be some distance away. Depending on the distance to the site, the participant may have to travel by air, train, bus or private transportation.
Your Return
You will return to the Arrival Port city and fly back to the Gateway City, but it is your responsibility to get from your home town to the Gateway Orientation site.
Orientations & Activities
In addition to the orientations that you will participate in domestically (the locally held Pre-Departure Orientation, the Culture Trek online orientation, and the national Gateway Orientation), you and your fellow AFSers will have several orientations while abroad. These orientations will give you a chance to gather important information about your host country, to meet other AFS teens from around the world, to share experiences, and to make friends. These group activities give you a chance to understand and process your intercultural learning experience during your time abroad as well as when you are returning home.
These required orientations are intended to help you maximize your AFS experience, prevent culture shock and to gain knowledge, skills and a global understanding.
Arrival Orientation
Your first India orientation will introduce you to the country, the diversity of Indian life, and various aspects of the AFS experience. It will last for four to five days and will end with a welcome party before you travel to meet your host family. Many of you will also meet your future AFS contact person at orientation. Basic language training will be offered to you shortly afterwards.
Mid-Stay Orientation
Midway through your stay, you will have another local orientation, organized by volunteers in your area. This will last for 2-3 days and will focus on cultural and school adjustment. You will also meet with AFS staff and volunteers to evaluate your first few weeks and are offered guidance to make the continuing transition as smooth as possible.
End-of-Stay Orientation
Finally, there will be an evaluation camp 2-3 days prior to departure. This is your chance to reflect on your experience and to share with other AFSers. You will also prepare for the cultural readjustment that is a part of returning home.
Optional Activities
AFS India also will provide a number of meetings/activities in your local chapter. These will be organized by your local chapter and will give you the opportunity to visit places of interest or participate in cultural events around your host city and learn more about India.
Eligibility
To participate in this program, you must:
- Be within the age range upon departure (located in the ‘read more’ drop-down box)
- Have a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Be mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy in accordance with AFS Medical Evaluation Policies
- Have a U.S. passport at the time of application. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the program end date
- Have an open mind, willingness to be flexible, and the ability to adapt to new a culture, school, and environment
Participation Notes
Vegetarians will face no problems finding placements in India
AFS India does not accept high school graduates
There is no language requirementand while prior knowledge of Hindi is encouraged, you are not guaranteed placement in a Hindi-speaking region
While attitidues are changing, AFS India cannot guarantee placement in a non-smoking household
