Summer Study Exchange / Class in India: July 31 through August 23

PA 510 (3 credits) Women's Development and Microfinance in India

July 31, 2009 through August 23, 2009

This 3+ week study/service-learning program will take place in Mumbai and Pune, Maharashtra, India. Students will be visiting, working and studying development and microfinance projects sponsored by Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) in rural and urban areas of India. While most of the activities will focus on women's development, students will also be learning about related issues of health, education, family and communities. There will be a special focus on the role of microfinance and microcredit schemes that lead to the independence and empowerment of poor women, their families and communities.

The program will also provide students with visits to a World Heritage Site, historical and cultural museums, an Ashram, schools and remote villages that will increase understanding and appreciation of the rich history and diverse cultures of India.

Students will be visiting, interviewing, and participating in administrative and community programs at the NGOs as well as having the opportunity to interview and assist with organizational activities in field settings. Students will learn about microcredit, microfinance, agency administration, client needs and the like. Finally they will be able to share their own experience and expertise in nonprofit and non-governmental programs that can assist the NGOs develop tools in communication, planning, fundraising, governance, staff development, grantwriting, etc. All students will make presentations, and in some cases, develop written materials for the NGOs we will be visiting.

PA 510/410 Women's Development and Microfinance (Summer Session, 4 credits)

Course can be taken for graduate or undergraduate credit.

Students need not to have taken the corresponding class that was offered over the spring term. However, application for the program (including an interview) is required.

Contact Suzanne Feeney (feeneys@pdx.edu) for more information or Linda Golaszewski (lagola@pdx.edu, 503-725-2955)

An application for the class/program, as well as a draft itinerary and additional information, is available here in PDF form: http://oia.pdx.edu/images/ea_docs/India_NGO_Microfinance_Application_Su09.pdf