Jan Plan in India Information Sessions

Jan Plan in India 2014                                         

(Plan your Jan Plan EARLY!!!)

There will be information sessions on Sunday September 8, at 7pm and Monday September 9 at 4:30pm (both in Diamond 122) for the 2014 Jan Plan in India (MU 267) taught by Professors Steven Nuss (srnuss@colby.edu) and Nicolás Dosman (nadosman@colby.edu).  This is a three-credit course that fulfills Colby's Arts and International Diversity requirements AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A MUSICIAN TO ENROLL IN THE COURSE!  WE SEEK A DIVERSE GROUP OF STUDENTS WITH A RANGE OF  ACADEMIC, SCIENTIFIC, ATHLETIC, MUSICAL, AND ARTISTIC TALENTS. AND INTERESTS.   The course is taught at the Gandhi Ashram, a school for academically and musically talented but economically disadvantaged youth in Kalimpong, a city high in the foothills of the Himalayas near the borders of Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan.  The course requires the Colby contingent to: 1) supplement the Gandhi Ashram's teaching staff by designing five hours of daily English, Science, Math, Music, or general studies instruction for junior high school and high school Gandhi Ashram students; and 2) to use readings in contemporary Western and Indian cultural theory and music history to explore the area's colonial history, India's caste system, and the complex socio-economic, cross-cultural, and diversity issues raised by the Ashram's unique approach to education and by the impact of the Colby presence at the Ashram and in the surrounding community.  The course also introduces Colby students to the incredible historical Silk Road history and sites of the Kalimpong and Darjeeling areas and concludes with a visit to the temples, mosques, and historical sites of Delhi, India's bustling capital.

This is a popular Jan Plan so early action is essential.  Talk to your parents well in advance.  Come to the information session(s) and get your name on the interest list.  Dates: January 3-27.  Estimated cost: $2900 (including everything including round trip international flight from New York City and domestic flights within India, food and lodging at the Gandhi Ashram, and lodging and some meals in Delhi).

Please contact Professor Nuss if you think this Jan Plan might be for you.  And see below for more detailed information on the course.

And:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Da6KoJOTv0 (a short public television spot on the Ashram)

http://www.colby.edu/music/nuss/janplan08/ (a rudimentary website that needs updating but the core information is still accurate)

Also see the pictures below that show a wide range of Jan Plan activities and personalities!

After the Information Sessions (or after speaking with the course instructors)

If you want still want to go to India you will need to be able to do the following (promptly):

1)    Email Professors Nuss (srnuss) and Dosman (nadosman) a completed application form (it asks you to supply a reasons why you want to go, two recommendations for former or current teachers (email preferred), your basic travel history, your major/minor, your projected graduation year from Colby, what you think you might want to teach in India and if you have any medical restrictions or dietary needs (those are NOT disqualifiers).  Professor Dosman and I will read all applications with help from some colleagues and the principal of the Gandhi Ashram, Paul D’Souza.  The cut off date for receipt of applications will be announced at the information sessions.

2)    Because of the unique character of this Jan Plan we interview all prospective applicants.  It is important that Jan Plan in India group has the right mix of social skills, interests, academic qualifications, and sense of adventure.  So all applicants will be asked to schedule a 10-15 minute with Professors Nuss and Dosman (during specified dates and times) so that you are more than just an application form.  After all interviews are complete, students will be notified about their status in the Jan Plan.  Students offered a spot in the Jan Plan have a short period of time in which to secure their spot.  Students unable to meet given deadlines will lose their spots and those will go to people on the waiting list.

3)  A detailed "to do" list will be sent out once final decisions about enrollment have been made.

This Jan Plan is an exciting opportunity to see a truly fascinating part of the world.  Professor Dosman, Fr. D'Souza and I look forward to meeting all interested students.  The pictures below are a random selection of scenes and events that give you a flavor or where we go and what we do: mountains, towns, Tibetan temples, brahma bulls, cricket lessons, concerts and music lessons, classroom teaching, walks in Old Delhi, monkeys, lots of friendly people, rickshaws,