IFSA The City, the River, the Sacred
- India
About Program
Explore the intersections between religious practice, urban studies, and environmental issues in the ancient city of Varanasi. Arguably the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, Varanasi serves as an important holy site for Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist communities alike. Today, this dense urban center is defined by its close symbiotic relationship with the Ganges River, which can be simultaneously understood as pure and polluted. Artistic and artisanal traditions thrive in Varanasi, known for its silk-weaving and pottery, as well as generations of mastery in classical Indian music forms.
In addition to your academic studies, you will also have ample opportunities for language learning and cultural immersion. You will live with an Indian host family and participate in co-curricular activities that take learning outside of the classroom. A week-long excursion to West Bengal will expose you to India’s cultural diversity and colonial history.