BUS 210/MBA 568: India Study Tour

Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Udaipur- India
June 27 - July 6, 2008

This faculty led study abroad summer program offered by Dauch College of Business & Economics at Ashland University will enhance students’ global awareness in general and help understand the importance of the key emerging market of India, in particular. This program focuses on the understanding of the concept of globalization, financial deregulation, and cultural characteristics of India. The course offers an opportunity of learning through cultural immersion and direct firsthand observations. Dr. Venkataramany is the program leader and Dr. Pittenger will be another accompanying faculty.

Program Objective

A study of a foreign country presently in the process of transformation from being a developing country to that of a rising economic power will be the focus of this tour. This tour will help students realize the potential in new markets, particularly India, and also the volatility of risks associated with them. The importance of managing those risks successfully through a better understanding of the Indian environment will be addressed in the readings, lectures, observations, and discussions.

Why India?

India represents world’s one of the most ancient culture and heritage. It is a big market with more than one billion people and is a trillion dollar economy. Presently, it is also the world’s one stop software supermarket. It is safe and secure to visit. However, both the accompanying Dr. Venkataramany and Dr. Pittenger will be always there with the program participants throughout the entire tour.

Required Documents

Passport - valid for six months from the date of return to the US (until January 06, 2009). US citizens may obtain all the required information for applying for a passport at the US State Department website http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Tourist Visa – required of all US citizens. Holders of US passports may apply for a tourist visa for India Visa from the Consulate of India in New York (Fees $73 plus postage). For application and additional details visit http://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/

General Information

Alcohol - The program will abide by the Ashland University’s institutional policy and so the entire tour will refrain from consumption of alcohol.

Time Zone - India is nine and a half hours ahead of the US Eastern Standard Time (EST). During our program, the time difference will be ten and a half hours as the Daylight Savings Time (DST) will be operational.

Food - Continental breakfast at hotels may have a better choice but lunch & dinner are likely to be predominantly vegetarian based upon our health safety concerns and local culture.

Weather - Weather in India is likely to be mildly hot and humid. Business casual will be appropriate and also comfortable for visits to universities, consulting firms, and legislatures.

Additional Information - All other relevant information will be covered by Dr. Venkataramany in class lectures prior to our departure.

Country Information Updates It is better to check for any current information on India at the US State Department’s website http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1139.html

Tentative Schedule

Date	City	Agenda
Friday, June 27	Departure from Cle. by 3 PM to Delhi via Newark
Saturday, June 28	Arrive in Delhi by 9 PM
Sunday, June 29	Delhi	City Tour by bus (visit The Red fort, Qutab Minar, Juma Masjid, etc.)
Monday, June 30	Delhi/Agra	Visit to the Parliament of India, a central government ministry and a business visit to a project management consulting firm; depart to Agra by bus
Tuesday, July 1	Agra/Jaipur	Visit the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri; depart to Jaipur by bus
Wednesday, July 2	Jaipur	Local sightseeing; night stay in a hotel
Thursday, July 3	Udaipur	Depart to Udiapur by air; visit Hindustan Zinc Mine; attend lectures in M.L. Sukhadia University; local sightseeing; dinner and night stay at a hotel
Friday, July 4	Udaipur/Delhi	Depart to Delhi by air and arrive in the hotel in Delhi
Saturday, July 5	Delhi	Local sightseeing; depart for the US at 5 PM after early dinner
Saturday, July 6	Return to Cle. by 8 AM via Newark

Expenses

Program Fee:
The program fee per participant is $2,990. The fee covers international and domestic airfare, all ground transportation within India by air-conditioned bus/van, four-star hotel accommodation for seven nights in India (double occupancy), food (continental breakfast, standard lunch, and standard dinner on all seven days of stay), cost of English speaking tour guides, and entrance fees to the sites of attraction. Students will have to pay the relevant tuition fees for three credits as billed by the university registrar’s office. Our program has guaranteed seats in the airlines but the price is subject to change until ticketed. We encourage interested participants to pay the program fee in full at the earliest to avoid any possible price increase.

Course Credit: (Optional)
The tour is in conjunction with BUS 210 and MBA 568. Credit for either of these courses is not included in the program fee. Students would register for credit separately through the Registrar's Office. These courses will focus on the understanding of the concept of globalization, financial deregulation and cultural characteristics of India, and offer an opportunity of learning through immersion and personal firsthand observations. The meetings prior to the tour will help in developing an understanding of the uniqueness of the country and will prepare the new visitors for overcoming the cultural shock with relative ease. The meetings offered after the tour are designed to help integrate the pieces of information to form a wholesome knowledge of an emerging market. The instructor will continually respond to several questions before, during, and after the tour in order to assist in a better understanding of India.

Miscellaneous Expenditure:
The program fee does not include passport & visa fees, tips, discretionary expenditure incurred by participants such as for the purchase of souvenirs, room service, snacks, beverages, bottled water, internet, business services, and long distance calls.

Reservation Details

Send an email to Dr. Venkataramany (svenkata@ashland.edu) to secure a spot for the tour. An initial deposit of $200 is payable by check on or before February 29, 2008 together with a copy of the passport. The remaining cost of $2,790 must be paid by check on or before March 31, 2008. Withdrawals are permitted until April 30, 2008 subject to a non-refundable fee of $100. Make the $200 non-refundable deposit checks payable to Ashland University and mail them to Rebecca Parillo (address below). Each participant will be invoiced with the remaining cost and pay the Ashland University Business Office directly.

Ms. Rebecca Parillo
Director, Study Abroad Program
Ashland University
401 College Avenue
Ashland, OH 44805

Cancellation Policy

Should cancellation occur prior to 60 days before departure, full refund will be granted less a $250 fee. Cancellation after 60 days before departure (April 28, 2008) will receive no refund. Contact Continental Airlines regarding their exchange policy for plane tickets. Cancellations must be submitted in writing; the date such notification is received by the Ashland University Office for Study Abroad Director is the cancellation date. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.